Southview News 2009

US Passports Required Starting June 1, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
As of June 1, 2009 all US travelers will be required to produce a valid passport in order to enter the US. This is the final stage of the transition to the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative secure document (passport) requirement.
Until June 1, 2009, US travelers will still only be required to produce ID in the form of proof of identity (drivers license with photo etc.) and proof of citizenship (such as birth certificate) to cross into the United States.
As of July 14, 2008, U.S. citizens were also able to apply for a U.S. Passport Card, which facilitates entry and expedites document processing at U.S. land and sea ports-of-entry when arriving from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda. The card my not be used to travel by air. Otherwise, it carries the rights and privileges of the U.S. passport book and is adjudicatged to the exact same standards.