| With a backlog of millions of passport applications, the Bush Administration announced on 6/8/07 that they would suspend some of the requirements for flying abroad.
Classic Travel recommends that all of our travelers pursue obtaining a passport and that you contact us if you have any questions about how to get one. We can also recommend ways to expedite the process, but the important thing is that you start now.
The most obvious reason to get a passport is to be ready when you decide on a trip that requires one. But another very important reason is that this change REQUIRES that you prove that you have applied for a passport. You will need to present a State Department receipt, showing that you have made an application for a passport, as well as government-issued identification, such as a driver's license. Those who have not applied for a passport will not be allowed to travel . Again, Classic Travel can help you with this process. Also, be aware that travelers with receipts but no passports would receive additional security scrutiny, which could include extra questioning or bag checks.
The rule (and temporary suspension) affects citizens flying to and from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda. It does not affect Americans driving across the Canadian or Mexican borders or taking sea cruises, although those travelers are expected to need passports beginning next year.
Contact us for more information about this and other travel related news. ------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted: 10/3/06 - this item has now been updated, see above.
The U.S. State Department has recently updated the passport initiative for U.S. Citizens traveling outside of the United States .
For air and sea/cruise travel, all citizens will be required to have a passport valid for at least 6 months AFTER their return date of travel starting on December 31, 2006.
For travel via land border crossings (i.e.-by car or train), a passport will be required starting June 1, 2009.
Name Changes: Anyone who is applying for a passport can do a free name amendment up to 12 months from the date their passport is processed. However, anyone who has had a passport for more than 12 months and needs to update their name will have to do a whole new passport in order to change their name.
For more information and instructions on how to get or renew a passport, please visit the US State Department web page at http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/get_840.html
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us for more information about this and other travel related
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Classic Travel
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