New passport rules in effect today

Parent Cafe
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<p><a href=“http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070123/ap_on_re_us/new_passport_rules[/url]”>http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070123/ap_on_re_us/new_passport_rules&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Thought I’d post this to remind people. Even if you don’t plan on travelling, if you happen to have a child who will be studying abroad, either this summer or next year, it’s a good idea to have a passport, just in case. I know two people who have had to fly to Europe in the past year, unexpectedly, and at very short notice. One whose husband was there on business and was involved in a serious car accident and another whose child was on a study abroad semester and who had to have an emergency appendectomy. Although these instances would already have been governed by passport requirements, they are examples of why it’s a good idea to have a valid passport.</p>

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<p>Good reminder alwaysmom. Also, if you have a child under 14 and you want to get their passport at the post office without the other parent, be sure to have the parent complete the Statement of Consent for issuing passports to minors under 14. When we were renewing our passports a few years ago, a friend told me about needing this form. It saved me an extra trip and a lot of frustration. You can download the forms needed from this link.</p>

<p><a href=“U.S. Passports”>U.S. Passports;

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<p>A valid passport is a must. You just never know…</p>

<p>In our county, the county clerk comes to the local municipalities on a rotating basis to make the application process smoother & more convenient. Check & see if your county offers that option.</p>

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<p>And it is my understanding that a passport is now needed to go to Canada. True? And Mexico?</p>

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<p>Well, this is a U.S. Law - so you need it to <em>come back</em> from Mexico and Canada.</p>

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<p>So you could go to Canada without a passport but you wouldn’t be able to come back?</p>

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<p>mstee, the passport rules that came into effect today are meant to change the previous rules for entry to and from Canada, Mexico, and Caribbean countries, so, yes, you will now need a passport to travel to and from Canada and Mexico if you are travelling by air. The rules will come into effect for land crossings in 2008. While, yes, it’s an American policy, Canadian customs will not allow you into the country without a passport because I’m sure they do not want to have to deal with the problems of U.S. citizens not being allowed back into their own country!</p>

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<p>There seems to be a trial period referrred to in the news reports “for those who don’t have the proper documentation” - so there’s hope for the late folks.</p>

<p>edit… alwaysamom had a better answer</p>

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<p>Tks. Planning to get a passport ASAP . . .</p>

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<p>I crossed the border back into the US from Canada on Sunday at the Montreal airport. Interesting in that you clear US customs in Montreal. The customs agents were reminding us of the new rules. There were also numerous informational posters.</p>

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<p>You can drive or boat to and from Canada and Mexico without a passport until 1/1/08, but you need to have one to fly as of now.</p>

<p><a href=“Press Releases - United States Department of State”>http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2006/76752.htm&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;