"As of January 2007, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda are required to present a valid passport, Air NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document."

Good News! Passport Requirements Have Been Eased Temporarily!

For those U.S. citizens who have applied for a passport and not yet received it, you will be allowed to travel to the Caribbean between now and September 30, 2007.

The U.S. Department of State and Homeland Security announced on June 7, 2007 that U.S. citizens who have applied for but not yet received will be allowed to travel by air with government issued photo identification and a Department of State official proof of application for a passport through September 30, 2007.

U.S. PASSPORT -- Temporary Travel Flexibility

U.S. citizens traveling by air to the Caribbean must follow these instructions for proof that a passport application has been received by the Department of State and is still being processed as part of the recently announced Temporary Travel Flexibility for U.S. Citizens with Pending Passport Applications, which will expire on September 30, 2007 and after which (beginning on October 1, 2007), all U.S. Citizens traveling outside the United States will be required to present a valid passport to enter and depart from the United States.:

· You must keep a printout of your passport application status for departure from the U.S. and for re-entry into the U.S. Some countries may still require a passport or other additional documentation.

U.S. citizens who departed the U.S. under this travel accommodation prior to October 1, 2007, with a Department of State official proof of passport application receipt and government-issued identification will be readmitted with these same documents if returning to the United States after September 30, 2007.

For more details and to obtain proof of passport application, visit http://travel.state.gov.

(Please note, demands on the US Passport Agency are expected to increase dramatically with the implementation of the Western Hemisphere Legislation. This 12 week deadline may be extended if the government is not able to comply with its current processing schedules.)
U.S. Department of State page -- tells you how to get a new, replacement or renewed passport: http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/get_840.html

Free Online Automated Passport Assistant
This Automated Passport service can easily and conveniently assist you with the process, if you have more than 12 weeks prior to departure.
Unlike the State Department's website, this site is clear, concise and easy-to-use. It features an Automated Passport Assistant that asks you a series of questions in order to determine the forms, instructions, procedures, and costs for them to apply for a passport through standard government processes. Furthermore, the comprehensive online content complements this information to ensure that any nuances with submitting an application are thoroughly explained.

for this free service.

Call Center Support
Despite growing consumer confidence with using the Internet to obtain information, some people still prefer to speak directly with an expert before undertaking a transaction like applying for a passport. For many, calling the U.S. government passport information line can be time-consuming and often frustrating. Accordingly, for a fee of $9.95 (per family) Passport Services has a 6-day a week call center that is staffed with document specialists who can answer questions and help consumers through the process of applying for a passport directly through the government.

Phone: (800) 853-4073

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Passport Support for Travelers who are departing in LESS than 12 weeks:

Expediting Service
Travelers who are departing in less than 12 weeks, may not wish to risk applying for a passport through the standard government processes. For these clients this expediting service can help you to obtain a passport quickly - in as little as 24-hours. Passport Express Services expediting service includes unlimited call center support as well as the personal delivery of applications to the appropriate U.S. Passport Agency (by couriers around the country). Expediting clients can get timely updates on the status of their application and you can rest assured that they will have their passports in time for their trip.

to find out more about these services.

If you don't already have a passport, now is a good time to apply for one! There are many benefits to having a passport:

No more juggling birth certificates and driver's licenses! A passport is a single document that provides photo identification, as well as proof of citizenship. You'll no longer have to worry about losing or damaging precious documents. You'll enjoy expedited entry into the United States for U.S. citizens and legitimate foreign visitors.

For Guests 16 years of age or older, a passport is valid for 10 years, and passports for Guests 15 years of age or younger are valid for 5 years -- so there's plenty of time to use your passport again and again when you travel internationally.