Recently there has been some information in the news regarding changes to passport requirements. We would like to help you sort through this information and help understand what it means to you as well as share some other useful tips regarding traveling with children.

Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative
In April 2005, the Federal Government has issued new requirements for entry into the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Bermuda and Panama. On a phased in basis, all US citizens and foreign nationals from these countries will be required to have a passport for each traveler. This week President Bush asked for another review of the proposed rules in order to minimize any impact on commerce between Mexico, Canada and the United States.

Why the change?
As a result of Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Protection Act of 2004, the secretaries of Homeland Defense and State were directed to take certain actions to make US borders more secure. Historically, travelers from the above countries were only required to show minimum documentation in order to cross the US border. Compared with the more obvious increases in airport security the present day border requirements were considered to be too vulnerable.


What is changing?
Over a period of three years everyone traveling into the United States will be required to have a valid passport. The phasing is noted below:


As of December 31, 2005 all persons traveling (air/sea) from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Central and South America will need a valid passport.
As of December 31, 2006 all persons traveling (air/sea) from Mexico and Canada will need a valid passport.
As of December 31, 2007 all persons traveling (via air/sea or overland) to the United States will need a valid passport.

What does this mean for families?
If the new regulations remain unchanged, all individuals will be required to carry passports by 2007. Passports are good for ten years for adults and five years for children under 16. Currently passports cost $97 for an adult passport and $82 for a child's passport with photo processing and mailing costs extra. For the stereotypical family of four, this equates to $358 plus expenses.

What should families do when considering or planning an international trip?
The first thing is to plan ahead. Determine where, when and how you will be traveling. Families will need to balance the convenience of having passports ready against the fact that children's passports are only good for five years and the expense of renewal. For those families that can plan it would be wise to wait until six months prior to traveling to order a passport for a child.

Authorization for Travel with Minors
Another consideration for families as the busy travel season starts is children traveling alone or without one or both parents. Increasingly immigration authorities and some airlines are questioning people traveling with minors. Their goal is to minimize the incidence of child abductions. When combined with international travel, abductions become much more complicated to resolve as different countries have varying laws.

As strange as it seems there are no specific documentation requirements. Airlines and immigration authorities are not required to ask for proof of authorization to travel with a minor and their application of any internal policies is inconsistent. Yet, an unnecessary delay could result in a missed connection, additional stress and inconvenience or worse, a missed cruise departure for example.

Travelers accompanying children not their own can obtain a document that has notarized signatures of the absent parents providing authority to travel with their child. Having the notarized document is good insurance and increases the chances of an enjoyable family experience.

Courtesy of: Generations Touring CompanyŽ

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