If you are traveling in 2010, there are new passport laws you need to be aware of. For example, at the beginning of last year, American citizens could enter Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean without a passport.
However, on June 1st, 2009, the final phase of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI for short) went into effect. Now, most Americans traveling to these countries do need passports to travel. Here are the details of the new passport laws:
Americans traveling to Mexico, Canada or the Caribbean by plane need a passport book. Americans traveling to these countries by sea need a passport book, a passport card, or a WHTI-approved alternative, like an enhanced driver’s license, a NEXUS card, a FAST card or a SENTRI card. For most Americans, the passport book and the passport card are easiest to obtain, but the passport card can only be used for land or sea travel, not for air travel. The passport book is a better choice, because there is always the possibility you might have to fly home in an emergency.
There are a few exceptions to the new requirements, but they only apply for land or sea travel, never to air travel. So, again, even though you don’t technically need a passport if you fall into one of the following categories, it’s a good idea to carry one anyway in case you need to fly home.
Here are the exceptions:
- Children under the age of 16 traveling by land or sea can use their birth certificates, naturalization certificates or certificates of citizenship.
- Children under the age of 19 traveling by land or sea with a school group, religious group, social or cultural organization, or sports team accompanied by an adult chaperon can use their birth certificates, naturalization certificates or certificates f citizenship.
- Cruise ship passengers on a closed-loop cruise, one that begins and ends at the same US port, can use government-issued photo ID (like your driver’s license) and a birth certificate, certificate of naturalization or certificate of citizenship.
If you need a new passport, the fastest and most reliable way to get one is to use a private passport expediting service like RushMyPassport.com. You’ll get personal attention and help from a passport specialist, plus your application will be hand-delivered to the Department of State for processing times as low as 24 hours.
Apply for your new passport today!
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if i am a resident of California but born in mexico, do I need a passport to travel from mexico to
March 17th, 2010 at 2:26 pmthe USA?
Are you a US citizen? If you are a US citizen you need a passport to return to Mexico by air and a passport or passport card to return by land or sea. If you are a US permanent resident you will use your green card to return to the US.
March 21st, 2010 at 2:47 pmim an american citizen, born in america, i lived in canada for a few years, and now live in the states. i have an expired passport, can i still travel there and back with this new law, i never had a problem for the last 5 years
March 26th, 2010 at 3:22 pmHi John,
No, you can’t travel to Canada with an expired passport. The law has changed, and if you are flying you need a VALID (not expired) passport book.
If you are driving or sailing, you can use one of the following: a passport card. an enhanced driver’s license (a new type of license that has an RFID chip in it just like a passport, not all states offer them), a NEXUS card, a FAST card or a SENTRI card.
March 27th, 2010 at 8:18 pmIs a passport required to fly to & from puerto rico if you are a US citizen?
April 3rd, 2010 at 8:04 pmHi Todd,
Nope, Puerto Rico is a US territory, so no passport is required.
April 7th, 2010 at 1:26 pmIt said Americans traveling to Mexico, Canada or the Caribbean
April 8th, 2010 at 11:23 amby plane need a passport book. so this does not apply if
you are flying to Puerto Rico or the U.S Virgin Islands if
your a U S CITIZEN? JUST A BIRTH CERTIFICATE WILL DO?
It states you need a passport to travel to Mexico but do not need one on a cruise if the start/end ports are the same. Do we need a passport to take a cruise to Mexico?, or can we still just use our Birth Certs and drivers license. Leaving from Long Beach CA and returning to Long Beach with a stop in Ensenada along the way.
April 13th, 2010 at 2:07 pmHi Mike,
Double-check with your cruise line, but you should be okay with just a driver’s license and a birth certificate. Have a great trip!
April 14th, 2010 at 1:07 pmHi Sonia,
As long as you’re going to Puerto Rico or the US Virgin Islands, you do not need a passport because they are part of the US. Have a great trip!
April 14th, 2010 at 1:10 pmI owe child support rear what is the law for us father’s to get a passport to prove of citizens an identification
May 3rd, 2010 at 2:24 pmHi,
If you owe more than $2,500 in back child support, you are not eligible to get a passport until acceptable payment arrangements have been made. For more details, see this page: http://travel.state.gov/passport/ppi/family/family_863.html
May 6th, 2010 at 5:25 pmCan I get a passport if I had a felony conviction in my past.
May 17th, 2010 at 9:35 amHi Chris,
You probably can, but there are some exceptions. See this entry for details: http://www.rushmypassport.com/blog/2009/07/can-i-get-a-passport-with-a-felony/
May 20th, 2010 at 2:47 pmHi
May 31st, 2010 at 9:43 pmme my mom and my sister are going to Mexico this weekend and we dont have
passports were going by bus would we be able to go and come back with out
them???
I am traveling to the Bahamas on Discovery Cruiselines. I was told by the cruiseline I only need a birth certificate for my toddler to travel. Yet my family is freaking out that I need to get her a Passport…is that true?
June 1st, 2010 at 11:29 amI want to take my 8 year old son to hawaii, we are planning to Fly from California. Can he go if his passport is expired? or is a passport required? We are both US Citizens.
June 1st, 2010 at 11:46 amif I’m a permanent resident born in el salvador…do I need a passport to travel to Hawaii?
June 1st, 2010 at 1:53 pmHi Evelyn,
You don’t need a passport to fly to Hawaii-it is part of the US
June 4th, 2010 at 11:10 pmYou don’t need a passport for her if it’s a closed-loop cruise, on that begins and ends in the same US port. However, it’d be a good idea to get one anyway in case something comes up and you need to fly home with her-even toddlers have to have passports to fly.
June 4th, 2010 at 11:11 pmIf you aren’t going very far into Mexico (less than 12-18 miles past the border), the Mexican government won’t require passports for you to enter. However, if you’re going any further than that, you will need passports to get into the country. Coming home, if you don’t have passports it will be a huge hassle. They can’t really keep you out if you are a US citizen, but they can detain you until your citizenship is proved to their satisfaction. Also, if you’re going with a tour bus they may not let you on board without proper documentation.
June 4th, 2010 at 11:17 pmI sm a US permanent resident, however, my panamenian passaport expired. Can I use my expired passport to exit the US?
June 12th, 2010 at 11:13 pmI have bounced ck charges against me that i have not been able to take care of
June 28th, 2010 at 2:54 pmcan i still get a passport
I have a job which is relocating me to England. I’d like to fly my daughters family out to visit, but her baby’s Dad has a felony charge for vandalizing property. He is on probation, but since becoming a Dad has not gotten into any trouble. The charge is about 2 years old. Will England allow him to visit on vacation?
July 5th, 2010 at 11:48 pmHi Lin,
Contact the British Embassy: http://ukinusa.fco.gov.uk/en/ They should be able to get you the information you need.
July 8th, 2010 at 8:49 pmHi Robin,
If they’re just misdemeanors, probably. If they are felonies, probably not. You can contact the National Passport Center to see if they can give you a better answer: 1-877-487-2778.
July 8th, 2010 at 8:53 pmI will be 16 and traveling by car to Canada. I am a U.S. citizen.
July 16th, 2010 at 11:30 amCan I just use my birth certificate or will I need a passport? I don’t
have my driver’s license yet.
Hi John,
Only kids UNDER 16 can travel with just a birth certificate. If you’re 16 or older you need a passport, a passport card or an enhanced driver’s license with a RFID chip inside, assuming your state issues them.
July 24th, 2010 at 9:03 pmHello, I am a bus driver for a band out of Nashville, Tn. Do I need a passport to enter into Canada on my job?
July 28th, 2010 at 2:05 pmHi Jesse,
Yes, you’ll need a passport or a passport card, as will everyone else on the bus.
July 30th, 2010 at 10:47 pmHi
August 2nd, 2010 at 11:26 amI heard that they are asking for the passport book when returning from mexico now even if you travel by land. Is this correct? I have a passport card but my relatives state they have been asked for the passport book in the last couple of months. Thanks
Hi Sarah,
As long as you’re traveling by land, a passport card should be fine. That’s what they were created for!
August 13th, 2010 at 8:32 pmMe, my wife and my daughter are permanent residents. But we have newborn that was born in US. So she is US citizen. As I understand we can go to Mexico and return back by green cards. But what documents do we need to have for newborn to enter and leave Mexico? We want to visit “border zone” near San Diego.
August 19th, 2010 at 7:49 pmThank you.
Hi Alex,
Congratulations on your little one! It depends on whether you are driving or flying. If you are flying to/from Mexico, you have to have a passport for her. However, if you’re traveling by car, since she’s under 16 you can just bring her birth certificate. Hope this helps!
August 19th, 2010 at 10:43 pmI am leading a missions trip to Mexico to build a house with a group of students 18 and under. Am I correct in assuming that the law states that the 18 and under students can cross the border both ways with a birth certificate and notarized letter from parents? We did this last year and the border guards gave some of our vehicle leaders a hard time crossing saying everyone should have passports when that is not what the law says. Why did they do this? Don’t they know the law? Could you point me to the place I can get an official copy of this stipulation for border crossings so I can bring it with me this year? Thanks a lot
August 20th, 2010 at 11:03 amMatt,
You are correct, and I’m not sure why the border guards gave you a hard time. You can print off the relevant page from the US Customs website here: http://getyouhome.gov/html/lang_eng/eng_sa.html
If you want something sent to you instead of just a print out, I’d try calling US Customs and Border Protection: (877) CBP-5511
Best of luck!
August 23rd, 2010 at 7:54 pmWe are planning a cruise to the western carribean in March 2011 and my 12 year old son will be traveling as well which brings me to my question he will not be required to have a passport just his birth certicate according to what I reas above right?
August 30th, 2010 at 10:15 amThat’s correct, Benika. I would get him a passport anyway, though. You have plenty of time, and that way if you need to fly home for any reason, or if you miss the boat and need to fly to the next port to catch up with it, you’re covered.
August 30th, 2010 at 11:24 am