pasport needed as of 1/1/06

[bailey0308]

I was just informed by a friend that begining jan 1,2006 that you will ned a passport to go to the bahamas and following in 2007 it will be the same for mexico. Im not sure how true this is because it was word of mouth. If this is true, does that mean a pp will be needed for cc?
Has anyone else heard oh this news?

 

[DCLgodess]

I know about the passport needed in the bahamas and canada. It was on MSN earlier today. I also heard about mexico. So it is true.

 

[lbgraves]

There are several threads on this board discussing this since it was announced yesterday I believe. Lots of details about how to get a passport too.

 

[alanapapa]

This is JMO, but I believe that while the law actually takes effect on 1 January 2006, it will not be fully enforced until 1 January 2008. The respective countries and affected citizens and policing agencies need time to implement these changes and listen to alternative suggestions. You know the govenment never moves quickly.

 

[TheWog]

I was just informed by a friend that begining jan 1,2006 that you will ned a passport to go to the bahamas and following in 2007 it will be the same for mexico. Im not sure how true this is because it was word of mouth. If this is true, does that mean a pp will be needed for cc?
Has anyone else heard oh this news?

Yes, beginning Jan 1, 2006 you will need a passport to visit any Caribbean country. You will need one for air/sea travel to Canada and Mexico beginning Jan 1, 2007 and then you will finally need one for any land border crossings between Canada and Mexico starting Jan 1, 2008.

 

[tinksdad]

The above info is right on. Check out the US Department of State site for more travel and passport information.

 

[tecdavidt]

It is a program being phased in and yes, they will start enforcing it on Jan. 1st '06 and after after Jan.1st '08 it will be for any travel outside of the US. This means we need to get our daughter's passport before Spring Break next March but that is OK. I never understood why we didn't need passports before because we were traveling out of the US. I remember one cruise when we were in the Bahamas and a woman thought the were just part of the US! I couldn't believe it. Kathy

 

[Sue (mom of 3 boys!)]

OK..am I correct in thinking....

We are cruising Feb '07...

DH and I will have passports, already in process.

Do we need to get them for our kids? They will be 10, 13, and 15 when we sail. I hate to get one for my 15 year old, which will expire 5 years from the date of issue, when he will be 16y/o 4 months after the cruise. The passport cost has gone up a lot ($97 for adults, $82 for children-yikes). Birth certs. will no longer be accepted in the Carribean for children travelling with their parents?

I think we will prpbably have to bite the bullet and chock up the $$$???
Ilooked on the site, and couldn't find this info.

 

[Amberle3]

The problem isn't the other countries accepting the ID, the problem is getting back into the US. It's the US government that's requiring the passport for anyone entering the US. You can exit the country with whatever ID you'd like, just don't expect to be allowed back in!

I would say that yes, the kids should have passports. I can't find any information on the gov't website about any kids being exempt from needing them. As for passports for kids only being good for 5 years - a kid's looks can change a lot in 10 years! Chances are that what your 15 year old looks like now isn't what he'll look like at 23 or maybe even 19. Given that, it really only makes sense to have the kids get new passports as they age.

As for the cost - Canadian passports are now $87 for adults and even the adult ones are only good for 5 years, so from our perspective paying a little more but getting twice the usage out of them is a good deal.

 

[musicgirl]

Now I went to the government site, it is very confusing because it does not specifically say only a passport. It still says a passport or accepted documentation (not the exact words). So what is the other documentation.

I think we should be very careful in our words so a bunch of people don't start freaking out about getting passports.


Edit: I just talked with DCL. They said that currently, they are not requiring the passports. They do NOT have a date as of yet. She said that DCL WILL notify those with reservations IF they need them.

 

[pppiglet]

Not taking any chances. We went and applied at our local Post Office today. I downloaded the forms online and had them filled out before we went so it only took 20mins for them to look them over and take our pictures. I am so glad that it's done!

 

[tvguy]

OK..am I correct in thinking....

We are cruising Feb '07...

DH and I will have passports, already in process.

Do we need to get them for our kids? They will be 10, 13, and 15 when we sail. I hate to get one for my 15 year old, which will expire 5 years from the date of issue, when he will be 16y/o 4 months after the cruise. The passport cost has gone up a lot ($97 for adults, $82 for children-yikes). Birth certs. will no longer be accepted in the Carribean for children travelling with their parents?

I think we will prpbably have to bite the bullet and chock up the $$$???
Ilooked on the site, and couldn't find this info.

My kids both have had passports since age 2, they are 14 and 18 now. Don't know how folks live without them. Even if you don't travel out of the country, they are very handy (and physically more durable) than B/C's. We use them for school registration, Little League, Soccer.....my son even used his when he registered to vote as proof of citizenship. (and he even registered for the right political party, so won't be canceling out my vote )

 

[Pacha]

Now I went to the government site, it is very confusing because it does not specifically say only a passport. It still says a passport or accepted documentation (not the exact words). So what is the other documentation.

I think we should be very careful in our words so a bunch of people don't start freaking out about getting passports.


Edit: I just talked with DCL. They said that currently, they are not requiring the passports. They do NOT have a date as of yet. She said that DCL WILL notify those with reservations IF they need them.

This is from an article on CNN.com about it and explains what the other forms of ID are.

Once the new system takes effect, people entering the United States from Mexico will continue to be able to use a border crossing card or SENTRI card instead of passports. These cards are obtained after background checks and other security measures. On the northern border, the NEXUS card for preapproved, low-risk travelers, and the FAST card for commercial workers will be acceptable instead of a passport.

Pacha