travelinggirls

Disclaimer:  I’d like to first point out that the following applies to U.S. citizens only.  If your status is other than citizen, please comment with specifics so I can answer your question, or contact proper agencies.  Please keep in mind that this information is valid as of this date (Oct. 27, 2008) and can change at any time.

Now that that business is out of the way, I can discuss passports.  I am asked about passports on a daily basis. One of the strangest questions I was asked was if a gentleman needed a passport to go to Oregon.  I asked him if he was a U.S. citizen and because he was I explained that a passport wasn’t required to travel within the 50 states.  I thought it was a silly question but really, I can understand the confusion. 

Currently a passport is required for travel to all other countries when traveling by air.  This includes Mexico and Canada.  Until June 1, 2009, if you plan to cross the border into Mexico or Canada by car, you are not required to have a passport.  You can still get away with a legal copy of your birth certificate and government issued photo I.D. 

Again, before June 1, 2009, if you are traveling by cruise ship to Canada or Mexico, you are legally not required to have a passport; however most cruise ships strongly request that you do.  Every cruise line is different so please check with your travel agent or cruise line for information, as some may actually require it.  Think about this:  What happens if you are in port in Puerto Vallarta (or insert any other foreign port) and you break your arm.  You are in the hospital getting it set when the ship sails.  You have to get back to the states on your own (hopefully you have travel insurance to help) and it’s a lot quicker to fly home than to drive.  You won’t be able to fly home without a passport or a lot of hassle. 

That’s just one example, but it could happen.  You should get a passport.  Go ahead and do it now.  It is currently around $100 plus the cost of your passport photo.  If you are over the age of 16, it is good for 10 years.  This is $10 a year!  That’s not a lot for the freedom to travel.  That’s what a passport is really.  It’s the freedom to travel. 

Tomorrow I’ll discuss the handy dandy Passport Card.  Go get your passport!

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