US Passport Requirements: Oct. 1 Passport Laws

Â US Passport Requirements: Oct. 1 Passport Laws

U.S. Passport Requirements have gotten confusing and on Oct. 1st, new passport laws will once again be enforced in U.S. airports. This is a friendly reminder that the temporary flexibility implemented in June (to accept proof of a passport application in place of a passport) will soon expire!

My flight to Europe is just around the corner, and I have checked and double checked that our passports are ready with expiration dates years away. I feel fortunate that my family has not been affected by the mad panic many families have had to face, waiting sometimes up to 4 months for their passports to arrive!

To summarize the mess that our State Department is in with issuing passports:

-More people are traveling internationally + new passport requirements went into affect

-According to the State Department Passport Statistics, 12 million passports were issued in 2006. It is estimated that 17.5 million passports will have been issued by the end of the fiscal year this month.

-The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative is mostly to blame for this increase, since it required passports for travel to the “back yard” of the United States.

*Due to the incredible back log (sometimes taking up to 4 months to get a passport), the Department of Homeland Security gave temporary flexibility to passport requirements, stating that as long as proof of application and government issued ID was provided, air passengers would be allowed to enter and depart the U.S.

**This is only in effect until September 30, 2007 and does not affect entry requirements to other countries.

That deadline is next week! As of October 1st, 2007 you will need to have that passport! And yes, that does mean little tiny travelers too! ALL citizens of the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport when entering the United States at any airport.

So do not delay if you need to renew, complete a name change, or obtain a new passport for any member of your family! If you want a “passport advocate” and need a passport in a hurry, I recommend working with a passport expediting service. Leave it to the experts to guide your family through this crazy mess!

I also recommend that you check when your passport does expire, noting that many countries require at least 6 months time before passport expires to be allowed into the country.

Many parents are amazed that the little infant in the family would need a passport. And yes, that photo does not resemble them for long! An infant’s passport is good for 5 years. My son is 3 years old and his passport photo was taken when he was 6 months old. We have a good laugh every year that we face passport authorities with this chubby infant photo, but it is required documentation!

OK I am getting off topic here – but just do not forget that passport! US Passport requirements and passport laws may be a pain, but it is reality and better to be prepared than to face a nightmare the day of departure!