Under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)
-
Since January 23, 2007, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by Air from outside the United States into the U.S. will be required to present a valid passport, Air NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document, or an Alien Registration Card, Form I-551, if applicable.
-
As of January 31, 2008, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by land or sea (including ferries) into the U.S. will be required to provide proof of citizenship as determined by the Department of Homeland Security. This proof of citizenship as it stands right now is a passport or government issued I.D. (like a drivers license) and the original or certified copy of your birth certificate. In the near future you will need a passport for all travel when leaving and re-entering the U.S. Don't wait get your passport now.
Special updated notes:
-
Some time after May 1st the Motor Vehicle Division of Arizona will start issuing state I.D. cards which will be good for federal buildings and air transportation with in the U.S. If you want it to be used for travel it will cost more money, and then could be used as proof of citizenship only between the U.S. and it territories, Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean.
-
Anytime after the summer of 2008 the plan is to require a passport or a state issued I.D. card as proof of citizenship for land and sea crossings.
-
Please note that if there is a need to have you medically air evacuated from outside the U.S. back, you would need a passport. Our suggestion is to get your passport now, it is good for ten years.
The passport requirement does NOT apply to U.S. citizens traveling to or returning directly from a U.S. territory. U.S. citizens returning directly from a U.S. territory are not considered to have left the United States and do not need to present a passport. U.S. territories include the following: Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Swains Island, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.