Travelers Face New, Tighter Passport Regulations June 1

HAMDEN —  Summer travelers, beware! Beginning June 1, travelers face newer, tighter passport regulations to reenter this country by land or by sea from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean or Bermuda, the Connecticut Motor Club cautions.

That means anyone planning to travel outside the United States this summer must obtain an approved US Department of Homeland Security document, such as a US Passport Book or a US Passport Card. Previously accepted forms of identification such as voter registration cards and birth certificates will no longer be acceptable to gain entry or reenter the United States.

The US Passport Card, introduced last July to expedite frequent travel of US citizens living in border communities, is not valid for air travel, but may be used on cruises to reenter US ports and at land border crossings from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. It contains a radio-frequency identification chip, which points to a stored record in secure government databases. The card has the same validity as a US Passport Book: ten years for an adult; and five years for minors under 16. It costs $45 for first-time adult applicants, and $35 for minor applicants under 16.

Because many of the requirements are confusing, especially for minors, AAA encourages consumers to either visit a local AAA office for assistance or go to one of two websites: www.travel.state.gov or www.dhs.gov for detailed information.

AAA offices can provide passport-size photos and the required travel documents, but it cannot issue actual passports. Only certain post offices offer that service.

Passport cost is $100 for those 16 or older; and $85 for minors under 16. Applications usually take between four and six weeks to process, although expedited handling from two to three weeks may be obtained for an additional $60 fee. Renewal costs are $75.

To assist travelers in the passport application process, AAA offers these tips, many of which are confusing when they cover minors:

*Use black ink to complete application forms. Blue is accepted if it is dark enough to scan, but many applications have been rejected.

*All children regardless of age must have their own passport and depending upon the age, there are special requirements. For example, children under 16 must apply in person with both parents or guardians present or you must follow the Parental Consent guidelines by using form DS-3053.  For additional requirements for minors, visit http://travel.state.gov.

*To keep children safe while traveling internationally, many governments have initiated procedures at entry and exit points, including requiring documentary evidence of relationship and permission of the parent(s) or legal guardian not present for the child’s travel. Parents of minor children (under 18 years old) should carefully document legal custody prior to traveling. If minor children travel abroad with or without both parents and guardians, they are required to carry a notarized letter of consent. Visit http://travel.state.gov for specific details.

The Connecticut Motor Club, a division of AAA Southern New England, Providence, R.I., provides comprehensive travel, insurance, financial, and automotive-related services to more than 500,000 members in Fairfield, Litchfield, and New Haven Counties.