Are passports for 2006 now definitely required?

[msim]

Just got an email from a travel agent. States passports will definitely be required for 2006, but when you follow the link, the actual start dates still seem to be up in the air. Did they make it definite yet? If they did, I'll have to cancel the cruise. I can't afford $800 for passports for a one-time trip.
Thanks!

 

[DrCavin]

Unless they change the implementation date, everyone will require a passport after 12/31/05. You can see the dates here: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2225.html

Fees are $97 for adults & $82 for 16/under. It does add additional cost to a cruise & if you only plan on traveling outside the US the one-time it is a steep price to pay.

 

[myboysmom]

Saw our travel agent on Friday night. It is 99% sure that the passports will be required. We have put it into our budget for our trip, and plan to go early winter to get them.

As we live pretty close to Canada there is a possiblity that we will use them again long before they expire. Maybe this will be an excuse to travel overseas, as we already will have our passports

 

[tvguy]

You'll use them for a bunch of things other than travel, and if you have kids, trust me, there will be several school trips that you're kids will want to go on where they will need them.

I understand it is an unbudgeted expense, I hope you remembered to budget for tips, and food in the airports to and from the ship (if you're flying).

 

[TheWog]

It does appear the dates will be moving forward as announced. Barring some drastic change it will be mandatory. You could stagger the applications, such as one per month to help defray the cost.

 

[Skatermom23]

I hadn't heard this. I have a cruise booked for Dec 2006. I guess it gives me plenty of time to get them, but still...

 

[georgeat]

It is a shame what terrorism has done to peoples vacation plans.

 

[Skatermom23]

Hum, just read the website and it states acceptable form of ID. Wouldn't a birth certificate be okay. DH and I have passports but the teens do not.
Anyone know for sure about the wording?

 

[DrCavin]

Hum, just read the website and it states acceptable form of ID. Wouldn't a birth certificate be okay. DH and I have passports but the teens do not.
Anyone know for sure about the wording?

Birth certificates are ok until 12/31/2005, then the passport requirements will take effect.

 

[TheWog]

Hum, just read the website and it states acceptable form of ID. Wouldn't a birth certificate be okay. DH and I have passports but the teens do not.
Anyone know for sure about the wording?

That term has not been explicitly defined yet, but all understanding is it will not be birth certificate. It may be some form of traveler ID for frequent travelers that have undergone a background check to obtain this ID, maybe similar to applying for a passport. But no one is certain what that will be at this time. This also leaves the gov't an "out" for accepting something else. If you are traveling outside the U.S. in 2006 or beyond you should have a passport.

 

[tvguy]

This whole mess is going to get messier.
California's legislature is considering issuing drivers licenses that are just that, driver's licenses.......they would be stamped 'NOT PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP".
Some other states are considering the same thing.
So if that happens, even if passports are not required, they would be for folks with theses drivers licenses.

 

[Par8hed]

It is a shame what terrorism has done to peoples vacation plans.

I don't see where getting a passport is such an inconvenience. If anything, with everyones documents standardized, the immigration procedures should be more efficient.
Also, should you ever run into any trouble abroad you will be ever grateful you have a passport as opposed to a Birth Cert and your drivers license.

 

[myboysmom]

TV Guy, the State of Wisconsin is undergoing the same issue, however they are trying to pass a law that would forbid undocumented aliens from getting a drivers license. Currently in Wisconsin illegals can get drivers licenses (I am assuming that is the issue too in CA) and if we don't pass this law than having a Wisconsin drivers license will do you no good as ID for boarding an airplane.

This may be happening in many other states as well. I listen to the news/talk radio stations in my area, but many people are unaware of this serious problem with ID.

Funny thing is Gov. Doyle will sign this into law, he also approves of ID for UW-Madison students buying kegs of beer for parties, but he won't approve ID for voters- go figure.

 

[TheWog]

I didn't think the driver's license was used for anything other than identification. They use that picture id in conjunction with the birth certificate to confirm that a state agency has a photograph of the person with the same name on the birth certificate to match to the person standing in front of them.

How come you can't board a plane with a driver's license (even if it says - not proof of citizenship) to travel domestically? I'm confused.

 

[myboysmom]

Here is a report from one of our local TV stations, perhaps this will help: http://nbc15.madison.com/today/headlines/1544337.html

In short, it has to do with terrorism. This is because in the US our drivers license is more than just showing we know how to drive a car. It is our means of ID for most everything. Cashing a check, buying cigs or beer...we all show our license as ID. Perhaps we will end up with a "national ID", but isn't that what a passport is?

 

[Miss Jasmine]

I don't see where getting a passport is such an inconvenience. If anything, with everyones documents standardized, the immigration procedures should be more efficient.
Also, should you ever run into any trouble abroad you will be ever grateful you have a passport as opposed to a Birth Cert and your drivers license.

Agreed! This is something that should have been required long ago.

 

[PLUTO2]

Has anyone ordered a passport recently? Just wondering if with the new laws if it is taking longer to receive them. On the website it mentions six weeks, just trying to figure out if they do arrive within the six weeks.

 

[KKB]

If you go to the website, these are still proposed regulations. They may or may not go into effect on the dates listed.
We are disembarking on 12/31/2005, so am watching closely. Currently I am NOT getting passports for 5 due to the expense, AND THE FACT THAT THEY ARE NOT DEFINITIVELY REQUIRED YET!
That being said, if a decision is not finalized by the end of summer, we will get them ordered to avoid delay should they become definitive.
The cruise lines are watching closely & will let you know what you need.
Keep informed!
Happy cruising!
Kristin

 

[msim]

My problem is this: It's taking every bit of my budget to pay for this "surprise" cruise as a gift to my family. I've had it planned for quite awhile. There is no way I can afford to pay for 8 passports (they're my spouse and my kids, so they can't "chip in".) If passports become mandatory, I will be heartbroken, because I really want to do this- but alas, as the passports are not free, I will have to cancel the cruise.

I think passports are great- I just wish that I could afford them. Also, this is to be a surprise- can't just pick up from school and start driving if you have to have a passport..... might could fool the kids, but husband would definitely catch on!

 

[georgeat]

I don't see where getting a passport is such an inconvenience. If anything, with everyones documents standardized, the immigration procedures should be more efficient.
Also, should you ever run into any trouble abroad you will be ever grateful you have a passport as opposed to a Birth Cert and your drivers license.

I did not mean to imply that I had to get a passport. I and dw have had passports for over 10 years. Just stating why the need is there.