Latest News 2009 April New Passport Policy Goes into Effect June 1st

New Passport Policy Goes into Effect June 1st

On June 1st, a measured passed by the U.S. Congress requiring all Americans citizens to have passports when crossing the Canadian or Mexican border by car will go into effect.

Currently, U.S. citizens can cross the border by car using a birth certificate and a government issued I.D. card.  After June 1st, only children 16 years old or younger will be able to use their birth certificate as proof of citizenship to cross the border.

The new measure is part of a law passed by Congress in 2004 called the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative.  The measure, which was adopted by Congress after recommendations were made by the 9/11 Commission, was designed to improve border security and "get control" of the borders by verifying the citizenship and identity of everyone who entering the U.S. by land, sea, or air from Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean.

"We are going to know who is coming into our country and it's going to be faster," said Angelica De Cima, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection in San Diego.

A similar law is already in effect that requires Americans visiting Canada, Mexico, South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda to carry passports if traveling by sea or air.  The new law just affects Americans traveling on land.

A passport costs $100 for adults and $85 for children under 16 years old, plus the cost of passport photos. Expedited passports cost an additional $60.  U.S. Customs and Border Patrol also offers a passport card that is only good for travel by land.  The passport card costs $45 for adults and $35 for children.

According to De Cima, Americans who do not have passports will not be denied entry, but will likely be delayed while the authorities confirm citizenship.

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Categories: Passport