PASSPORTS REQUIRED TO ENTER THE UNITED STATES  (As of 10/4/06) Did you know that beginning in 2007, all traveling Americans returning to the United States will be required to have a valid U.S. Passport? It's true. And the new rules will be phased-in as early as January 2007. The new rules are as follows:  AIR  January 8, 2007 – Passport required for all air travel within the Western Hemisphere and abroad.  U.S. Citizens departing and returning to the United States by air after January 8, 2007 will be required to have a valid U.S. Passport. The Passport office is already busy and this will likely contribute to a backlog that could result in lengthy issuance delays as these rules take effect. SEA and LAND  By June 1, 2009 – Passport or other accepted documents* required for land border crossings and sea travel within the Western Hemisphere. The Departments of State and Homeland Security can accelerate this June 1, 2009 date upon certifying a plan that meets certain standards for the new identification cards to make them easy to use, affordable and ensure privacy. *Sea and land travelers will also be eligible for the PASScard, a less expensive alternative document.  Going forward, a Passport will be required for U.S. Citizens who travel by air and sea to and from the Western Hemisphere destinations of the Caribbean, Bermuda, Central and South America, Canada and Mexico. Without a Passport, you will not be able to travel outside of the U.S. - including cruise travel. In addition, after the implementation date, cruise vacationers who arrive at the Port to embark on a cruise without a valid Passport, will not be permitted to board the ship. Important reasons to get your Passport now:  Avoid the rush and the possibility of not being able to travel where and when you wish without a passport. Future travel to the Caribbean, Bermuda, Central and South America, Canada and Mexico will require a passport to re-enter the U.S. A Passport can open the doors to travel you may not have considered before, such as cruising in Europe, Australia and Asia. And a Passport will also be required to visit our neighbor countries of Canada and Mexico. Considering that a Passport is valid for ten years, the cost is minimal ($97 for a new Passport and $67 for a renewal). PASScards are expected to cost approximately $50 and will be valid for only 5 years. For cruise passengers, they will only be valid for travel in the Western Hemisphere. Even with a confirmed booking for travel abroad, you will be denied boarding if you do not possess a valid Passport. And finally, a U.S. Passport is easy to obtain by visiting one of the 6,000 Passport acceptance facilities across the U.S. For more information about applying for a Passport, U.S. Citizens may visit http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html or call the National Passport Information Center toll free at 1-877-487-2778 or TDD/TYY: 1-888-874-7793. Foreign Nationals should contact their respective governments to obtain details regarding current Passports requirements and application procedures.

If you have Documentation / Passport questions:  http://travel.state.gov/

If you need a new birth certificate in a hurry:  http://www.vitalchek.com