Are passports for 2006 now definitely required?

[linco711]

I think passports are a good idea. That being said...they are very costly. Too bad they can't lower the prices.

 

[PLUTO2]

We went ahead and got our 4 kids passports because of the new rules. But since we HAD to get them, we are going to Europe this summer just to get good use out of them! LOL

What a great idea.I wonder if my DH would go for that.

 

[piglet33]

My DD's passport came in the mail yesterday and took exactly 3 weeks to get. Once people realize they need to get one, it is going to take a lot longer. I'm so glad that I got her's when I did. Even if we don't need it right now, it is still good to have. I also got her pics done at Costco and saved money there.

 

[crzy4dsny]

I don't understand why they cost so much money. For my family it would be $440. They could make it a little cheaper. How long are they good for anyway??? It better be a long time for that much money!!

 

[debloco]

This is from the "VacationstoGo" website, I thought it might be helpful.


"Last month, the US Department of State announced a plan called the "Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative," designed to enhance border security, which will require people traveling between the United States and the Caribbean, Bermuda, Panama, Mexico and Canada to have a passport to enter or re-enter the United States. Citizens of the United States, Canada, Mexico and Bermuda will be affected.

Currently, passports are recommended, but not required, for travel to and from the destinations above. The new requirements are expected to be rolled out in phases according to the following schedule:

Beginning December 31, 2005, a passport will be required for all air and sea travel between the United States and the Caribbean, Bermuda, Central and South America. All foreign nationals from these areas, and US citizens returning from these areas, will be required to show a passport to enter the United States.

Beginning December 31, 2006, a passport will be required for all air and sea travel to or from Mexico and Canada. Canadian and Mexican citizens, and US citizens returning from Canada or Mexico, will be required to present a passport to enter or re-enter the United States.

Beginning December 31, 2007, a passport will be required for all air, sea or land travel to and from the above-mentioned destinations.

There are groups lobbying to change this timeline or the requirements, and there's a possibility that could happen, but it's becoming more likely that these new requirements will go into effect as planned. It's also likely that international frequent travelers holding Sentri, Nexus or Fast Cards, or Border Crossing Cards, may not need passports, but no final decision has been made.

Some cruise lines are encouraging anyone without a passport who plans to cruise to one of these areas in 2006 to start the passport application process now, to avoid delays that may occur as applications increase.

You can learn more about the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative on the US Department of State's Web site."

 

[debloco]

I don't understand why they cost so much money. For my family it would be $440. They could make it a little cheaper. How long are they good for anyway??? It better be a long time for that much money!!

Passports for adults are good for 10 years. Passports for children are good for 5 years. Once children turn 16 they can get an adult passport. We had to renew our DD's only 2 years before she turned 16, but that's the way it works out sometimes. Renewals cost a little less than getting the originals.

 

[travel with kids]

I do freelance stuff with PBS and NPR. One of my friends is currently working a piece on our (US) Naitonal Security (the borders, travel and how it has changed and will continue to change). She is positive that passports will be required and that they are going to get more expensive because in the near future (unclear of when) all passports will have a microchip in them that will make it easier to scan.

 

[DrCavin]

I do freelance stuff with PBS and NPR. One of my friends is currently working a piece on our (US) Naitonal Security (the borders, travel and how it has changed and will continue to change). She is positive that passports will be required and that they are going to get more expensive because in the near future (unclear of when) all passports will have a microchip in them that will make it easier to scan.

I believe that they started using RFID tags on Jan 1, 2005. They fees went up recently as well, like March or so I think.

 

[mrsfuzzmo]

I am a TA and have sent out notices to all of my customers, whether or not they have travel plans and told them of the new regulations. My hubby and I just returned from Jamaica and I can tell you that those without Passports took A LOT longer time going through immigration in both directions!!! It almost became a joke while choosing a line. Someone yelled (just a stray traveler, not official), if you don't have a passport....go to the SLOW line...
ESPECIALLY if ytou have kids. What a hassle to have the poor immigration official, who has to match each person up with the correct documetation.

All of the cruise lines have sent notices to me to inform me of the changes in requirements and they are as stated in the above posts. If any of you are planning a cruise in 2006......get them!!!

A cost saver....you can take your own digital photo. You no longer have to have one professionally taken. Because of the digital age, you can produce 2 identical photos in the correct size, print them out on a photo quality printer and send them in. We've done this a couple of times. There are instructions right on the application form as to what size and quality if you do them yourselves. All you need is a white or off white background. Easy as pie....and cheap!

Mrsfuzzmo

 

[staceymerrill]

will our 12 month old cruising with us in Oct 06 require a passport as well?

 

[DrCavin]

will our 12 month old cruising with us in Oct 06 require a passport as well?

Yes, everyone will be required to have a passport after Dec 31, 2005

 

[HappyLawyer]

I just wanted to say tis has been a great informative thread, yes i think it might be a bit of a hassle but i think it is a smart and safe idea and i will just grit my teeth and pay for it, call me crazy cuz it is just tv but i have been watching so many shows about americans on foreign soil and their passports help out greatly-lol, i plan to get them as use them as we travel twice a year, they can be used when you do regular travel domestically so it is worht it to me. I will feel more secure having the passports, i do understand some of the frustration because we are not all made of money and its like 100 bucks a person, i hope it works out for everyone

 

[Pacha]

Luckily we cruise this year so won't need passports unless we cruise again in the future, but thought of something humorous from my days in the military. When we went to get our passports they told us not to get our hair cut right before it and to wear a normal shirt just in case the plane was hi-jacked no one would know from our photo we were military. But on the last page of our passorts it says "the bearer is abroad on an official assignment for the government of the United States of America". Like that isn't a dead giveaway. Now that was years ago and maybe they have chnged military passports since then, but I have always found that amusing.


Pacha

 

[6griswolds]

When I was in the military we did not need passports, maybe you were more than a regular soldier. I however cant see my husband paying $660 dollars for passports, for a once in a lifetime trip. We are not big travelers. We dont TRAVEL TO EUROPE, CRUISE 3 times a year. WE are a family that has to save for our once in a lifetme cruise. And just another tidbit for you. The ******* republicans threw a National ID law into an War approprations bill which will require a natonal ID to fly even domestically. They are going to require local governments to obtain certain info and a third party(private company) is going to house all that lovely data. And we now how well the can keep tha data out of hackers hands. GO Dems 2006

 

[6griswolds]

just wanted to let you know that was my husbands rant on previous post not mine. He always post in the third person, like he is me.

Sorry

Thanks

 

[Cajun Cruiser]

How long are passports good for?

 

[DrCavin]

How long are passports good for?

Look at top of page....

 

[mlshields]

MSIM,

Not to burst your bubble even more....but unless your children are very young (and wouldn't understand what you were doing) EVERYONE who is sending in a Passport application must be present at the window when handing over documents (either at the Post office or Passport office). If you are getting passports for your children BOTH parents must be there with proper ID in order for them to process your papers. This is due to people taking their kids out of the country without the other parents permission - If you are divorced you must have a Notorized letter from your EX agreeing for your child to get a passport. If you are a single parent (adoption or single mom) you might want to call before you go - it might even be harder for you to get it right the first time.

My husband and I had to take a day off from work too - due to the lovely passport processing hours our main post office had - (sorry, one more item - if you live in an area with more than one local post office - check to see which one processes passport papers. We have many branches in our area, but only our MAIN post office processes.

Hope this helps.

 

[mlshields]

Bump -

 

[msim]

Thanks to everyone for their informative input. You all helped me decide what to do....