Passports? Do I Really Need One?

Plans to travel outside the United States? Whether taking a boat, a plane or car, when do you need a passport? With the terror alerts of the past 6 years the Department of Homeland Security has tighten it grips. Security of the airways, ports and borders has become a main concern. It use to be that an American could come and go from our borders to neighboring borders with just your id and birth certificate, a couple of questions and you were on your way to destinations like Baja or Toronto.

As of January 23, 2007, US citizens need a passport to fly virtually anywhere outside the United States. The 9/11 Commision recommended that we tighten our borders. This is part of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004. Passed into law this requires all citizens of the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Bermuda to have a passport if traveling by air. This is only part of the reform to come, as early as January 1, 2008 it will be required to have a passport to enter the country no matter the form of travel, boat, plane or car.

So this raises the question Do I need a passport? The answer is not simple, if you plan to fly outside the country then yes. If you plan to go on a cruise to the Caribbean then no this year you do no need a passport, but what if? What if while traveling abroad on your cruise ship you become ill and need immediate transportation to the hospital and then have to fly home? You would then need a passport. Miss your ship at port in the Bahamas? You would then need a passport. For these reasons and many more like them travel agents are suggestion that you obtain a passport if planning to travel outside the United States.
Going with the theory it is always better safe than sorry and besides next year you may need one to take that cruise anyway.

For information on obtaining a passport please see my article on "How to Obtain a Passport" or visit www.state.gov on the web.
(www.state.gov)