HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009 New Travel RequirementsRECEIVED
d~JN 1 § ~000 Passport Services
Bureau of Consular Affairs
U.S. Department of State
Southold Town Clerk
IMPORTANT NOTICE
to
PASSPORT APPLICATION ACCEPTANCE AGENTS
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY AS ALL U.S. CITIZENS MAY NOT REQUIRE A PASSPORT
BOOK OR PASSPORT CARD UNDER THE NEW TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
WHTI Requirements for Special Audiences
The final phase of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) went into effect on June 1,2009 and
requires U.S. citizens to present a passport book, a passport card or other document approved by the U.S.
Government when entering the United States by land or by sea from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and
Bermuda. The following information briefly provides the requirements for special audiences. Details can be
found on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's website, www. GetYouHome.gov.
Children:
As of June 1, 2009, U.S. citizen children under age 16 arriving by land or by sea from
contiguous territory may present an original or copy of his or her birth certificate, a Consular
Report of Birth Abroad, a Naturalization Certificate, or a Canadian Citizenship Card.
Groups of
Children:
As of June 1, 2009, U.S. citizen children under age 19 arriving by land or by sea
from contiguous territory and traveling with a school group, religious group, social or cultural
organization, or sports team, may present an original or copy of his or her birth certificate, a
Consular Report of Birth Abroad, a Naturalization Certificate, or a Canadian Citizenship Card.
The group should be prepared to present a letter on organizational letterhead with the
following information:
· The name of the group and supervising adult,
· A list of the children on the trip, and the primary address, phone number, date of birth,
place of birth, and name of at least one parent or legal guardian for each child,
· A written and signed statement of the supervising adult certifying that he or she has
obtained parental or legal guardian consent for each participating child.
Closed Loop U.S. citizens who board a cruise ship at a port within the United States, travel only within
Cruises: the Western Hemisphere, and return to the same U.S. port on the same ship may present
government-issued photo identification, along with proof of citizenship (an original or copy of
his or her birth certificate, a Consular report of Birth Abroad, or a Certificate of
Naturalization)*.
*You may still be required to present a passport card or a passport book to enter the
foreign country to which you are traveling. Please contact your cruise line to verify
which documents are required for your trip.