New U.S. Passport Rules
by John Hawks

In late March, the U.S. government issued the final regulations for the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) -- its efforts to strengthen America's borders that will change the ID requirements for travelers entering the United States by land or sea.

This article will attempt to explain the new rules and give you links to the official U.S. sites for more information. However, there’s one “golden rule” of travel ID that you should keep in mind, starting immediately:

You should apply right away for an official U.S. passport. Period.

The rules governing travel ID for international trips to and from the United States have changed frequently since the 9/11 attacks. Last month alone, you may have seen news reports about a handful of states that have been fighting with the U.S. Homeland Security Dept. over whether your driver's licenses are secure enough to allow your residents to continue boarding airplanes in the near future! That's why obtaining a valid passport is the best option. No matter how the rules might change down the road, the passport will continue to be the gold standard for travel ID to and from America's borders.

Here's a quick rundown of the rules as they stand today:

Passengers traveling by air: Now, all U.S. citizens (including children!) must present a passport or another approved type of secure travel document when they enter any U.S. gateway via air. Don’t worry about the “secure travel document” comment, unless you serve in the military or meet other special conditions; the basic rule now is presenting a passport when returning to the U.S.A. via air.

Passengers traveling by land or sea:Now through May 31, 2009, U.S. citizens ages 19 and older must present a valid passport or another combination of approved documentation establishing both (a) identity and (b) citizenship. Here's the official list of IDs that you can present to satisfy this “two document” rule. Meanwhile, U.S. citizens agents 18 and under only need to show proof of citizenship, such as an official copy of your birth certificate.

Starting June 1, 2009, though, these land and sea rules change. On that date, the requirements for re-entering the U.S.A. via land or sea will convert to the air standards above - a valid passport, basically. However, you can also opt for a wider range of WHTI-compliant documents that will also work for land and sea travel. For example, the U.S. government is already taking applications for the new passport card that's less expensive than a full-blown passport, but they only work for trips within the Western Hemisphere. Check this site for more details. Also, some states like Washington have begun issuing “enhanced driver’s licenses” with security features that make them acceptable as ID to federal officials. (Other states working on such licenses including Arizona, New York, and Vermont, but more states will follow suit.)

Note that one new option for land and sea travel - getting a U.S. passport card -- will only work for land and sea travel. Passports cards will not be accepted for air travel.

And, to make matters more interesting, cruise passengers on a sailing that begins and ends in the same U.S. port (e.g., a roundtrip cruise from Fort Lauderdale to the Caribbean) will still be allowed technically to present a government-issued photo ID and proof of citizenship (such as an official copy of their birth certificate) instead of a passport. However, if you’re not sailing roundtrip to and from the same U.S. port, you will need a passport for sure starting June 1, 2009.

Thoroughly confused? Join the club! The best advice is to secure a passport as soon as you can.

For more information see  Passport Application Processing Times.

The Passport Services Office provides information and services to American citizens about how to obtain, replace or change a passport.

A passport is an internationally recognized travel document that verifies the identity and nationality of the bearer. A valid U.S. passport is required to enter and leave most foreign countries. Only the U.S. Department of State has the authority to grant, issue or verify United States passports.

New Application for a U.S. Passport

To obtain a passport for the first time, you need to go in person to one of over 9,000 passport acceptance facilities located throughout the United States with two photographs of yourself, proof of U.S. citizenship, and a valid form of photo identification such as a driver’s license.

Acceptance facilities include many Federal, state and probate courts, post offices, some public libraries and a number of county and municipal offices. There are also 13 regional passport agencies, and 1 Gateway City Agency, which serve customers who are traveling within 2 weeks (14 days), or who need foreign visas for travel. Appointments are required in such cases.

You’ll need to apply in person if you are applying for a U.S. passport for the first time:  if your expired U.S. passport is not in your possession; if your previous U.S. passport has expired and was issued more than 15 years ago; if your previous U.S. passport was issued when you were under age 16; or if your currently valid U.S. passport has been lost or stolen.

For more information on getting a new passport, please visit How to get a passport page.

Renewal of a U.S. Passport

You can renew by mail if: Your most recent passport is available to submit and it is not damaged; you received the passport within the past 15 years; you were over age 16 when it was issued; you still have the same name, or can legally document your name change.

You can get a passport renewal application form by downloading it from this site.

If your passport has been, altered or damaged, you cannot apply by mail. You must apply in person.

For more information on how to renew a passport, please visit How to renew a passport page.

Welcome to the Visa section of travel.state.gov, an official source of information about United States (U.S.) visa policy and procedures. We hope you’ll use this site to learn about different types of U.S. visas, the application process, and to better understand the requirements you need to meet in order to receive your visa.

Millions of foreign visitors travel to the U.S. each year. Others come to live here permanently. International visitors and immigrants add greatly to our nation's cultural, education and economic life. We welcome them. At the same time, we need to do everything we can to keep everyone here, safe. We believe in secure borders and open doors.

A citizen of a foreign country, wishing to enter the U.S., generally must first obtain a visa, either a nonimmigrant visa for temporary stay, or an immigrant visa for permanent residence. The type of visa you must have is defined by immigration law, and relates to the purpose of your travel.

• If you are visiting temporarily, see Temporary Visitors to the U.S.
• If you want to live and work in the United States permanently, see Immigrants to the U.S.
• Questions? See Questions about Visas
• Please visit the News section of our website for information on developments in U.S. visa policy, press releases and more.