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U.S. citizens who have traveled abroad are probably accustomed to carrying a passport, applying for necessary visas, and are familiar with various immigration procedures. Prior to 2007, U.S. citizens were not required to provide more than a valid driver license or other approved form of I.D. to travel between Canada, Bermuda, the Caribbean, or Mexico. That has now changed. The Department of Homeland Security has implemented new regulations for travel across these borders, and those changes include the use of passports, proof of citizenship, or Trusted Traveler Program cards such as NEXUS and SENTRI (see below).

If a U.S. citizen travels between American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, Swains Island, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, they are not required to present a passport because that travel is in U.S. territory.

Below is a discussion of what travel documents are now required for different types of travel between Canada, Bermuda, the Caribbean, and Mexico.

Air Travel

As of January 23, 2007, those people traveling by air between Canada, Bermuda, the Caribbean, and Mexico are required to show their passport to enter the United States. This applies to all adults and all children, including infants.

Land and Sea Travel

People traveling by land or sea have also seen changes in required documentation. As of January 31, 2008, U.S. citizens may no longer provide only an oral declaration that they are citizens; instead, adults 19 and older will be required to provide a government-issued I.D., such as a valid driver license, and proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate. Children 18 and younger may provide a birth certificate or other proof of citizenship only. Non-U.S. citizens must also provide ID and proof of citizenship.

The January 31 date marks a transition period for border patrol procedures, and if citizens are not able to provide proof of citizenship after this date, they may be held for a longer period of time at the border while agents verify citizenship information. These changes have been made in anticipation of further requirements for land and sea travel, such as requiring a U.S. passport or the new passport card for land or sea travel between countries.

However, there’s good news if you’re a Washington State resident! You may apply for an enhanced driver license to make land and sea crossings without showing another form of I.D. Residents pay $15 more than a regular driver license and provide proof of citizenship, identity, and Washington State residency when applying. After approval at one of the 11 licensing offices throughout the state, the license is encoded with a radio frequency device that allows border patrol agents to scan the license for faster processing. For more information about the Washington State enhanced driver license, go to http://www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/edl.html.

How to Apply for a Passport

If you do not already have a passport, you must appear in person at a passport acceptance facility and provide two photographs of yourself, government-issued ID, and proof of citizenship.

To locate a passport acceptance facility near you, visit http://iafdb.travel.state.gov/.

To download the application and read more about types of required documents, go to http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/first/first_830.html.

If you already own a passport, you can renew by mail, although there are a few exceptions (see below). For more information, visit http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/renew/renew_833.html.

You may not apply for a renewal if your previous passport is damaged, it was issued more than 15 years ago, you were younger than 16 when the first passport was issued, or you have a new name and cannot legally document how the name change occurred with a certified copy of a marriage license or similar type of document.

As of February 1, 2008, the cost for a new passport is $100 for adults and renewal is $75.

Other Types of Documents

Marriage License: If your name has changed due to marriage and it has been more than a year since your last passport was issued, you must apply for a passport renewal. Contact the county where you were married to obtain a certified copy of your marriage license and send it with your application for renewal.

Passport Card: Created with border residents in mind, passport cards are intended as a less expensive and more portable alternative to the traditional passport for land or sea travel. Passport card applications are now being accepted and are expected to be issued in the spring. If you already have a passport, you can get an additional passport card at a renewal rate of $20. The fee is $45 for first-time adult applicants and $35 for children.

Trusted Traveler Programs

NEXUS Card: As an initiative between Canada and the U.S., the NEXUS Card will allow residents of either country to go through air, land, and sea border crossings with minimal screening. Residents pay $50 and must pass a criminal history check. If the application is approved, residents go to a NEXUS enrollment center for a final interview. The NEXUS Card will allow travelers to pass through special NEXUS lanes at the U.S-Canadian border.

SENTRI Card: The SENTRI card is the NEXUS equivalent for travel between the U.S. and Mexico.

For more information about Trusted Traveler Programs, go to http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/trusted_traveler/.