Passport Laws 101: What You Need to Know

July 10, 2007 — -- If you're planning a vacation anywhere outside of the U.S., you're likely wondering about passport requirements. And who can blame you?

Since the laws changed in January of this year, passport agencies have been overwhelmed with applications, and thousands of Americans' summer plans have been affected. Passport processing is so behind -- 3 million applications are currently backlogged and thousands more come in each day -- that the State Department last week ordered 350 staff members to report to facilities in Louisiana and New Hampshire to help out. Here's a quick guide to what you need to know if you're traveling soon.

1) What are the new rules for air travel?

As of January 23, 2007, the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative of the Department of Homeland Security requires that all U.S. citizens must present a valid passport to reenter the U.S. from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean if traveling by air. This law was relaxed in June. Now -- until September 30 -- Americans traveling by air to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean can reenter the country as long as they have proof that they have already applied for a passport, plus a valid photo ID.

Keep in mind, however, that it can take weeks for your application to show up online, so even with these relaxed rules, waiting until the last minute isn't a good choice.

And don't forget, you must comply with the rules of entry of the individual country that you visit.

2) What are the new rules for land and sea travel?

Your are okay to return from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean to the U.S. without a passport. You will need a government issued ID (like a driver's license) and proof of citizenship (like a birth certificate).

You will not need a passport to reenter the U.S. by land or sea from these destinations until at least January, though no exact date has been set.

3) I am booked on a cruise to Mexico next month - do I need a passport?

Technically no, but you should check with your cruise line to make sure that they don't require that passengers carry them.

4) How long can I expect to wait for a passport?

Typically, a new applicant would receive his or her passport within three weeks of registration. Unfortunately, with the creation of the new laws, there has been an increase in backlogging, making the wait up to three months, according to the State Department. And that's if new applicants register on time.

Government passport fees for citizens 16 years of age or older are $97; for children under 16 years of age, $82. You can also opt for a $60 Government Expedite Fee, which will speed things up by delivering your passoport via express mail. However, this fee doesn't expedite the process, so you might be better off spending your cash on the servicews of an expediting company, like the ones described below.

5) Are there any resources I can seek out for assistance?

If you need a passport fast and are wary of dealing with backlogged local agencies, you can seek help -- for a fee -- through a passport and visa expediting company, like Passport Express or Travel Document Systems. Fatema Lettellier, Director of Marketing for Travel Document Services, said that the new laws have not delayed their service, but the business has been "greatly affected" in another way.

"Mainly what's affecting us is the amount of phone calls that we are getting from the general public because they can't get through to government agencies, so we're getting calls about requests that have nothing to do with us, but we're trying to help travelers out the best way we can," said Lettellier. "We only have a limited amount of spaces for services, but first we have to deal with our regular clients."

Passport Express' prices fall under the following categories: regular (for travel dates more than a month away, $119 plus standard government fees), rush (for travel 11- 20 business days away, $159 plus fees) and urgent (for travel 1-10 business days away, $199 plus fees). Travel Docs Systems fees, on top of the government fees listed above, range from $150 - (for travel within 1-3 days), $130 - (for travel within 3-7 days) and $75 - (for travel within 2-4 weeks).

For more information on Passport Express visit www.passportexpress.com or call 1-800-362-8196. For more on Travel Document Systems visit www.traveldocs.com or call 1-800-874-5100.

6) What about traveling to U.S. territories?You do not need to present a passport when returning to the U.S. from the U.S. territories: American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, Swains Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

7) I am a student going on a study abroad program through my university - will the new rules still apply to me?

The same rules apply for college students.

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