OK, Here it is...Peeps from the USA MUST have passports!!!

Originally Posted by chocoligato

So if I am reading it right then I do not need to obtain a passport for my June trip--I need the dummy instructions!!

Personally, I don't understand why you would want to enter another country without a passport. It makes everything so much easier, and would move the immigration lines faster. It seems complicated to try and take the necessary documents instead of a passport. Too much to carry around and worry about getting lost. The passports also last 10 years if you're an adult. I think it's 5 years for a child.
You still have time to apply for a passport for your June trip. I highly recommend it.

[Shammy]

Originally Posted by Jesus

But Shammy, What are those "other accepted document" they talk about?

I'm not too sure what they are but here's some info on that:


The passport is the document of choice because of the incorporated advanced security features. Individuals traveling to the Caribbean, Bermuda, Panama, Mexico or Canada are encouraged to obtain a passport.

For land border crossings, other documents that we anticipate will be acceptable under this Initiative are SENTRI, NEXUS and FAST program cards. These are current international frequent traveler programs.

We anticipate that the Border Crossing Card (BCC – also known as “laser visa”) will also be acceptable as a substitute for a passport and a visa for citizens of Mexico traveling to the United States from contiguous territory.

No other document is currently available that will be an acceptable substitute for the passport, or the Border Crossing Card, SENTRI, NEXUS or FAST cards. However, we are using new technologies to create other acceptable travel documents. We will make public additional travel document options as they become available.

[Shammy]

Originally Posted by tonydead

Shammy, what is the difference between the 2007 date and the others? If you can't go to the caribbean, mexico or canida after 2006 and most other's require a passport now, what places are there that are pushed to 2007?

They are instituting these new rules in stages, so as not to freak everyone out and have people all running to the nearest passport office at the same time.

Bottom line....to go to the Caribbean, you must have a passport by the end of 2005. To go to Mexico, you must have it by the end of 2006. By the end of 2007, you need a passport to go ANYWHERE.

[Shammy]

Originally Posted by beachenit

Yep, heard about it on the news this morning. There is alot of controversy(sp) about how this will affect tourism. I guess time will tell.

Hey, if something as meager as this will have a major effect on tourism, then so be it. More room for those that want to comply with the rules!
I can't see that happening either. You mean to tell me someone will decide NOT to travel out of the country because they are now required to get a passport? Sheesh. What I don't understand is how people can justify spending $2,000-$3,000 or more on their vacation yet not want to spend $100 for a passport!

[MikeW]

And the lines would move much faster. When picking an immigration line to stand in, try to find the one where most people are holding passports not birth certificates. Instead of 5 minutes per group it's less than 1 minute per group if you have a passport (usually).

Originally Posted by MikeW

And the lines would move much faster. When picking an immigration line to stand in, try to find the one where most people are holding passports not birth certificates. Instead of 5 minutes per group it's less than 1 minute per group if you have a passport (usually).

I know. I have never had any problems with my passport. We were a family of 3 last year traveling into Mexico. All 3 of us had passports, and in a blink of an eye, they were stamped, and we were on our way. I love having all the different stamps from our travels. We have some beautiful stamps from India and Malaysia. Come on people, get your passports and quit holding up the lines!

[chocoligato]

Well I guess I better get off my butt and get in gear--and get that passport!! I am definitely planning on traveling in the future again. I go into withdrawal for vacation travel--I am sure you can all relate! Now is the time to do it I know, but for some reason I just don't feel like going through the whole process--is it a pain in the neck? I guess I'm just whining a little, but, hey we are all allowed every once in a while, right. Please forgive me!!

Originally Posted by chocoligato

Now is the time to do it I know, but for some reason I just don't feel like going through the whole process--is it a pain in the neck? !

Actually, no. It's handled through your local post office. There's paper work to fill out, and then you have a passport-size photo taken to send in with the forms. It is soooo worth it. Just think about having one little passport book to carry with you instead of all the documents. I just couldn't keep track of all that. What's nice is that you have all the stamps from your travels.

[ketch]

Why would you not have a passport ? It is so much easier.

[Sand Flea]

Hey chocoligato...

We're in the same boat as you...but hopefully, to ease the pain, you can print the application off at home and at least have that out of the way. Then off to get that wonderful "passport picture" taken. Be sure and not comb your hair, that way you look like you really need a vacation! We'll be there in June also, and are in the works of filling out the applications. Have a cerveza or margarita to ease the pain!

[Sand Flea]

Groovy...I also see that the "new" passports (starting early 2005) have an electronic chip in them. It says that the chip in the back cover "will enable the new passport to carry a duplicate electronic copy of all information from the data page." They have also gone up in price to $97 according the the website. Interesting! Anyone out there have a passport that's been issued in the past few months?

[Shammy]

Originally Posted by Sand Flea

Anyone out there have a passport that's been issued in the past few months?

Meeeee! I just got two passports for both of my peeplets today. The pictures have these squiggly lines through them, which is unusual.

Mine doesn't...well, it does but I think those are wrinkles.

[SarahB]

Originally Posted by chocoligato

...but for some reason I just don't feel like going through the whole process--is it a pain in the neck? I guess I'm just whining a little, but, hey we are all allowed every once in a while, right. Please forgive me!!

Going through the process now will get you into Mexico more quickly and able to start your vacation sooner!!

I got my passport years ago, but it was pretty easy then so it's probably even easier now. And...you won't have to do it again for 10 years!

[Beachnutt719]

Got mine today. Exactly 4 weeks.

[Shammy]

Well, I HAD both passports, which arrived just Thursday. I now only have one. Seems the other must have gotten swept into the trash or clipped by an invisable passport theif because we've looked everywhere in this Gawd forsaken place and it's nowhere to be found. It never even left the envelope. Of course, dontcha know the garbage man came yesterday morning so if it did go in Thursday's trash, it's now in the Ocean County landfill. Oh...and #2 son's original birth certificate was in the same envelope. Now I have nada, zilch, nunca....and less than two weeks to go.


How the h*ll you can lose something in just one day, I have no clue. But as hubby says....we're the "[insert bad word here] Me Family" and whatever can go wrong will!

*sigh* like a kick in the a** I need this drama! ARGH!