Important U.S. Passport Information

We strongly recommend that our clients obtain a passport as soon as possible.

AIR TRAVEL

ALL PERSONS traveling by air outside of the United States 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.

CURRENTLY:

U.S. citizens need to present either (a) a passport, passport card (available in spring 2008), or WHTI-compliant document; or (b) a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license, along with proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate.

LATER:

On June 1, 2009, the U.S. government 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 a passport, passport card, or WHTI-compliant document.

Note: The passport requirement does NOT apply to U.S. citizens traveling to or returning directly from a U.S. territory.

U.S. PASSPORT AND 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.
• Passport Card: U.S. citizens may begin applying in advance for this new, limited-use, wallet-size passport card beginning February 1, 2008. We expect cards will be available and mailed to applicants in spring 2008. When available it will only be valid for land and sea travel between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean region, and Bermuda. Please note that the Passport Card is NOT valid for air travel.

We want to remind all clients traveling by land or sea to Canada to take either a valid passport or a government issued birth certificate and photo ID beginning Jan. 31, 2008. All clients traveling by air are reminded to bring a passport. The passport requirement for air travelers entering the U.S. from Canada has been in effect since January 23, 2007.

Since passports are valid for entering and exiting the country from ALL foreign destinations, ALL travelers, including those traveling by air, land or sea in the Western Hemisphere, are encouraged to obtain, and travel with, a passport. The current turnaround time for a passport is four weeks. For information on obtaining a U.S. Passport visit www.travel.state.gov or call 1-877-487-2778. Specific documentation requirements for land, sea and air travel may be found at www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/ready_set_go/.

Other useful passport information:

• How to Apply in Person for a Passport (includes downloadable forms)
• How to Apply for a Passport Renewal (includes downloadable forms)
• Passport Application Services in Local Post Offices

We strongly recommend that our clients obtain a passport as soon as possible. Please call Antietam Travel Service, Inc. at 301-662-8080 if you have any questions or need assistance.