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Announcements & News
Travel Updates
New Requirements for Travelers Between the
United States
and the Western Hemisphere
The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention
Act of 2004 requires that by January 1, 2008, travelers
to and from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Panama, Mexico and Canada
have a passport or other secure, accepted document to enter
or re-enter the United States. In order to facilitate
the implementation of this requirement, the Administration
is proposing to complete it in phases following a proposed
timeline, which will be published in the Federal Register
in the near future.
This is a change from prior travel requirements and will
affect all United States citizens entering the United States
from countries within the Western Hemisphere who do not
currently possess valid passports. This new
requirement will also affect certain foreign nationals who
currently are not required to present a passport to travel
to the United States. Most Canadian citizens, citizens
of the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda, and to a lesser
degree, Mexican citizens will be affected by the implementation
of this requirement.
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U.S. Passports Will No Longer be Issued Abroad
All passports, except those required for urgent travel,
will be issued in the United States using the new more secure
photo-digitized imaging system.
Effective April 8, 2002, American citizens residing or traveling
abroad, who require issuance of a U.S. passport, will be
issued the latest, state-of-the-art passport. It incorporates
a digitized image with other enhanced security features.
Because this technology is not available at U.S. embassies
and consulates, overseas passport issuance is being transferred
to the National Passport Processing Center in Portsmouth,
New Hampshire.
Travel documents in the post-September 11 world have become
even more important. The new passport has many features
that make it one of the most secure travel documents produced
anywhere in the world. Getting these more secure passports
into circulation will help minimize the misuse of American
passports by criminals, terrorists, and others.
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All Minors Must Appear in Person
To enhance the accurate identification of passport applicants and aid in the prevention of international
child abduction and trafficking, the Department of State’s
Bureau of Consular Affairs now requires the personal appearance
of all minors applying for U.S. passports.
This applies to all tourist/business, official and diplomatic
passports for children under the age of 14, even if the
child has previously been issued a passport. Prior to the
introduction of this requirement, parents were not routinely
required to bring a child under the age of 14 with them
when they applied on the child’s behalf. Now, when
applying for a passport on behalf of a minor under the age
of 14, parents are required to have their child present
and submit documentation of parental relationship and consent,
as well as comply with all other documentation requirements
for the issuance of a passport.
The personal appearance requirement for all minors is a
further step toward ensuring the integrity of the passport
application process.This change will help to verify the
identity of minor applicants and aid in the prevention of
international child abduction and trafficking.
Effective November 1, 2004, the Department of State's
Bureau of Consular Affairs will begin requiring that all
consent statements by a non-applying parent included with
U.S. passport applications for minors under age 14 be notarized.
The consent statement must include the child's name and
date of birth, as well as parent's identification information
or a copy of his/her ID. This new requirement is being implemented
to enhance the accurate identification of applicants and
aid in the prevention of international child abduction and
substitution.
This form should be submitted, along with the DS-11 Application
for Passport, for minors under age 14 as evidence of parental
permission if :
• You are a non-applying parent or
guardian consenting to passport issuance for your child,
or
• You are an applying parent or guardian,
and the written consent of the non-applying parent or guardian
cannot be obtained.
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Special Requirements for Children Under Age 14.
Minor Children must Apply in Person
1. Provide
Application Form DS-11;
2. Submit Proof of U.S. Citizenship (for minors under age
14);
3. Present Evidence of Child's Relationship to Parents/Guardians
(for minors under age 14);
4. Provide Parental Identification (for minors under age
14);
5. Present Parental Application Permission Documentation;
6. Provide Two Passport Photos;
7. Pay the Applicable Fee.
Contact Vital Check to order a Certified
Birth Certificate for your child. www.vitalchek.com
For more information, contact our U.S. passport consultants
at embassymd@lycos.com or at 1-888-529-2893.
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Passport Policy Information News Bulletins
This section will help you understand important policy information related to news and fee changes, family and children issues, information for law enforcement and passports and fraud. Links include:
Passports Will No Longer Be Amended
New Passport Security Surcharge
Non-Applying Parental Consent Form Must Be Notarized
Personal Appearance of Minors
U.S. Passports No Longer Issued Abroad
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Warranty, Limitation of Liability, and Other Legal Terms
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