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Passport, Please
Everything You Need to Know About Passports
By Kelly Burgess
It is estimated that 10 million Americans will travel overseas this summer. Most of them are probably waiting for their passport to arrive right now.
Well, maybe it's not that bad, but new passport rules instituted at the beginning of 2007 have made for a huge backlog in passport processing and have strung the wait time for passports out to 12 weeks or more. If you're brand new to the passport process, this simple guide may make the application process a little less bumpy.
Everyone, even newborn babies. No one is exempt from passport, visa or immunization requirements. In addition, for children under age 14, both parents must now provide proof of both citizenship and relationship.
A passport is, and always has been, required to travel internationally. (Travel to Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda used to be the exception, but is no longer.) In addition, many countries also require a visa, and some have unusual rules. For example, some Middle Eastern or African countries will not allow entry if your passport indicates travel to Israel. The U.S. Department of State compiles a complete listing of each country's requirements here, including not only passport and visa information, but also any required immunizations and health tests.
Beginning January 23, 2007, all persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport or Air NEXUS card. NEXUS allows low-risk, pre-screened travelers to be processed more quickly at certain Canadian border stops. Travelers by land or sea can still use valid identification, such as birth certificates (for children) and driver's licenses.
