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NEWSBREAK
Important
New Passport Rules May Impact Your International Travel Plans
Federal legislation enacted as a result of 9-11 will soon impact the travel
plans of those wishing to visit the regional destinations of Bermuda, the
Caribbean, or Panama.
Under this change, new passport rules co-authored by the U.S. State Department
and Department of Homeland Security will require all travelers by air or sea to
present a valid passport for entry or re-entry into the United States effective
December 31, 2005. Once enacted, the current practice of driver's
license or birth certificate entry will no longer be permitted by U.S. border
officials.
How to Obtain or Renew a U.S. Passport
If you plan to travel internationally, it's highly recommended that you apply
for your passport six to eight weeks in advance to avoid processing delays and
an expected surge in processing requests resulting from this new legislation. An
estimated 80% of Americans do not currently hold a passport and the busiest time
for requesting one is between the months of January and July.
The cost of a first-time 10-year passport is $97.00 for Americans 16 or older
and $82.00 for Children below the age of 16. These costs include current
processing fees and security surcharges. The cost for renewing an existing
passport is $67.00 for both adults and children. If, in the event you need
expedited processing of your passport application, well… you're in luck, For a
$60.00 per-application processing fee, your passport application(s) can be
eligible for faster processing and approval. Hmmm….
The first step in applying for a U.S. passport is to complete request form DF-11
(After all, you didn't think you could avoid paperwork did you?) and submit it
along with two identical 2" x 2" full-face, front-view passport photos
to one of over 6000 passport acceptance facilities. To locate a facility near
you by zip code, visit the State Department's website at iafb.travel.state.gov.
Applications can either be obtained directly from these facilities; or, you may
pick one up online by visiting travel.state.gov/passport_1738.html.
Passport request submissions must be made in person and a driver's license or
government-issued ID card is required. In addition, passport applicants must
show proof of citizenship in the form of an original birth certificate; or, an
officially certified copy which you can be obtain directly from your city,
county, or state of birth. Uncertified copies will not be accepted for passport
processing.
For more information regarding passports or travel alerts associated with your
intended international destination, visit the State Department website (http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html)
for the latest updates.
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