Passports

Passport Update (April 2008):

There are a lot of rumors floating about passport requirements. The facts are that starting January 31st, every traveler will need a drivers license and a birth certificate to come back across the border. You can replace a birth certificate with a voter registration card. Children under 18 will only need a birth certificate. If you do not have your birth certificate handy, simply go online and order a birth certificate. (CLICK HERE TO ORDER BIRTH CERTIFICATES)

Please take a look at the latest press release from the Department of Homeland Security - CLICK HERE.

If you have a passport, it will just make things smoother as you come across the border. We have been told that passports will not be required until June of 2009 but we will keep you posted if anything changes.

For now, get your drivers license and birth certificates ready and have a great vacation!!

READ more below....

Passport update, December 16 2007 (information Source: US HomeLand Security Website) http://www.dhs.gov/xtrvlsec/crossingborders/whtibasics.shtm

Traveling to Canada, Mexico and Bermuda by Air

U.S. citizens and citizens of Canada, Mexico and Bermuda  traveling by air between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda are required to present a valid passport or other WHTI-compliant documentation to enter (or depart) the U.S.

Traveling to Canada, Mexico and Bermuda by Land/Sea

Beginning January 31, 2008, the Department plans to move towards WHTI implementation at land and sea ports of entry by ending the routine practice of accepting oral declarations of citizenship alone.

Citizens of the United States, Canda, Bermuda and Mexico will need to present the following to enter or depart the United States by land or sea:

U.S. and Canadian Citizens

• Ages 19 and older: a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, along with proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate or naturalization certificate
• Children ages 18 and younger: proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate.
• Passports and trusted traveler program cards - NEXUS, SENTRI and FAST - will continue to be accepted for cross-border travel.

Citizens from Bermuda

• Passport issued by the Government of Bermuda or the United Kingdom.

Citizens from Mexico

• As under current entry requirements, Mexican nationals, regardless of age, must present a passport issued by the Government of Mexico and a visa, or a valid Form DSP-150, B-1/B-2 laser visa (Border Crossing Card).
• Trusted traveler program cards - NEXUS, SENTRI and FAST - will continue to be accepted for cross-border travel.

Right now the vast majority of people drive to Rocky Point. With a rise in small-craft air travel and the coming international airport construction, however, flying to Puerto Peñasco is becoming more and more of a reality for the future. Thus you might want to consider getting a passport if you will be going to Rocky Point a lot after Jan 1, 2008.

From: http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html

Implemented on January 23, 2007, ALL PERSONS traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean region are required to present a passport or other valid travel document to enter or re-enter the United States.

LAND AND SEA TRAVEL
The following summarizes information available on the Department of Homeland Security’s website.

JANUARY 31, 2008
U.S. and Canadian citizens will need to present either a WHTI-compliant document , or a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, plus proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate. DHS also proposes to begin alternative procedures for U.S. and Canadian children at that time.

SUMMER 2008
At a later date, to be determined, the departments will implement the full requirements of the land and sea phase of WHTI. The proposed rules require most U.S. citizens entering the United States at sea or land ports of entry to have either a U.S. passport; a U.S. passport card; a trusted traveler card such as NEXUS, FAST, or SENTRI; a valid Merchant Mariner Document (MMD) when traveling in conjunction with official maritime business; or a valid U.S. Military identification card when traveling on official orders.

WHTI-compliant documents:

U.S. Passport: U.S. citizens may present a valid U.S. passport when traveling via air, land or sea between the U.S. and the aforementioned Western Hemisphere countries.
The Passport Card: This limited-use, wallet-size passport card is not yet available and is under development.  When available it will only be valid for land and sea travel between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean region (includes Bermuda).
Other Accepted Travel Documents: SENTRI, NEXUS, FAST and the U.S. Coast Guard Mariner Document.  Members of the U.S. Armed Forces on active duty traveling on orders are exempt from the passport requirement. DHS has more information on these travel documents.  This information may be seen at www.dhs.gov.

The implementation date will be determined based on a number of factors, including the progress of actions undertaken by the Department of Homeland Security to implement the WHTI requirements and the availability of WHTI compliant documents on both sides of the border. DHS and DOS expect the date of full WHTI implementation to be in the summer of 2008. The precise implementation date will be formally announced with at least 60 days notice.

See also:travel.state.gov's 'New Requirements for Travelers'
See also:travel.state.gov's 'Tips For Travelers To Mexico'
See also:NYT: The Clock Is Ticking for Winter Travelers

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