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Living In Las Cruces- Spring/Summer 2008
CITY OF LAS CRUCES
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The initiative, which requires all U.S. citizens traveling between the United States, Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean regions to have a valid passport, was set to be implemented in two phases. Phase one, which was put into effect on January 23, 2007, requires all individuals traveling by air to abide by the new passport requirements. Phase two, which would impact those traveling by land or sea, was set to be implemented January 2008, although a flood of U.S. citizens applying for their passports, attempting to coincide with the new regulations has temporally put a halt in the process.
According to the Department of State website, as of January 31, 2008, U.S. citizens will not be required to present a valid passport as of yet, but will need to present other forms of identification. Travelers 19 years of age or older will be required to present either a WHTI-compliant document (which can be found at www.travel.state.gov) or a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, plus proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate. Those travelers under the age of 18 will need proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate.
Full requirements of the land and sea phase of the WHTI are to be implemented at a later date, which is still to be determined. Passports are not required for U.S. citizens traveling directly to or from U.S. territories such as Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Although passport regulations are not in full effect, the sooner you can get your passport the better. The Department of State is making every attempt to fully implement phase two of the WHTI as soon as possible. To avoid future travel complications start the process of applying for your passport today. Application processing times are taking anywhere between four and six weeks for standard service and three weeks for expedited service, which requires an extra fee.
For individuals who are applying for a passport for the first time, have an expired passport that is not in their possession or have a passport that has expired and was issued more than 15 years ago will need to go in person to a passport acceptance facility to apply.
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