Do i need a passport when traveling from Los Angeles to Mexico, via cruse ship?

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TINKERTOY ..... the 1 & only

NO !! NO !! NO!!! You do not need a passport if your cruise ship departs from a US port, like Long Beach, or San Diego and your cruise ends before the end of this year (December 31, 2007). But it will save you a lot of hassle traveling outside the country and MOST IMPORTANTLY, a passport will be required of all US citizens to reenter the USA starting January 1, 2008. Once you get the passport you will be set for 10 years. The web site below will answer all of your questions about passports.

Now if your cruise starts in December or January and will not return until after January 1, 2008, you will positively need a passport. In addition, If you take a cruise this calendar year and for some reason (like you get sick) and have to fly back to the US then you will need a passport.

tpurtygrl

Tinkertoy is right. You won't need one as of this year but will need one for 08. All you need right now is your original birth certificate and your drivers license

Southern Apostolic

No. Not until at least Jan 2008, and as late as June 2009. This applies only for sea travel.

roundater

New Travel Requirements for U.S. Citizens

* Media Notes
* Flyers & Fact Sheet
* Frequently Asked Questions
* Federal Regulations

Under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)

The proposed implementation timeline has two phases:

* Beginning January 23, 2007, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport, Air NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document, or an Alien Registration Card, Form I-551, if applicable.
* As early as January 1, 2008, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including ferries), may be required to present a valid passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security. While recent legislative changes permit a later deadline, the Departments of State and Homeland Security are working to meet all requirements as soon as possible. Ample advance notice will be provided to enable the public to obtain passports or passport cards for land/sea entries.

The passport requirement does NOT apply to U.S. citizens traveling to or returning directly from a U.S. territory. U.S. citizens returning directly from a U.S. territory are not considered to have left the United States and do not need to present a passport. U.S. territories include the following: Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Swains Island, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Travel Documents for U.S. Citizens Under WHTI

Under the proposed implementation plan, the following documents will be acceptable to fulfill document requirements:

* U.S. Passport: U.S. citizens may present a valid U.S. passport when traveling via air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda, and may also use a U.S. passport when traveling via sea and land borders (including ferry crossings).
* The Passport Card (also referred to as the PASS Card): This limited-use passport in card format is currently under development and will be available for use for travel only via land or sea (including ferries) between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. Similar in size to a credit card, it will fit easily into a wallet.
* DOS and DHS also anticipate that the following documents will continue to be acceptable for their current travel uses under WHTI: SENTRI, NEXUS, FAST, and the U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document. As proposed, members of the U.S. Armed Forces on active duty traveling on orders will continue to be exempt from the passport requirement.

Background

The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 requires the Department of Homeland Security and Department of State to develop and implement a plan to require all travelers, U.S. citizens and foreign nationals alike, to present a passport or other document, or a combination of documents, that denote identity and citizenship when entering the United States. Congress amended portions of the Act in 2006. The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative is the Administrationâ€™s proposed plan to implement this mandate.

The goal of the Initiative is to strengthen border security and facilitate entry into the United States for U.S. citizens and legitimate foreign visitors by providing standardized, secure and reliable documentation which will allow the Department of Homeland Security to quickly, reliably and accurately identify a traveler.

Media Notes

* 02/22/2007 DHS Announces Proposed Passport Flexibility for U.S. and Canadian Children at Land and Sea Borders
* 11/22/2006 Passports Required for Air Travel to United States as of January 23, 2007
* 10/17/2006 Department of State to Introduce Passport Card

Flyers & Fact Sheet

* Fact Sheet - Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (pdfPDF)
* Fact Sheet - WHTI's Successful Implementation (01/30/07) (pdfPDF)
* Flyer on Passport Requirement for Air Travel to United States as of January 23, 2007 (pdfPDF)
* Hoja de Informacion (pdfPDF)
* WHTI Information Sheet - French (pdfPDF)

Frequently Asked Questions

* Frequently Asked Questions about the New Travel Initiative Requirements (FAQs)

Federal Regulations

*
Final Rule - Air Phase (pdf PDF)
*
Proposed Rule - Passport Card (pdf PDF)
*
Comments Submitted in Passport Card Rule Making Proceeding (DOS-2006-0329-0001)

Other Relevant Links

* Department of Homeland Security
* U.S. Customs and Border Protection

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* Department of Homeland Security

* The White House

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someones friend

If you travel prior to the last day of 2007 you don't need a passport just your birth certificate and drivers license.
Have Fun!!!!!!

Madam T

No you don't you can go to Mexico from Cali with out a passport. But as of 01/01/2008 you will need a passport

fAiTh

yes!

bic

yes

naj3032

yes

pokiedots16

yes because you are leaving the U.S

KTempesta_81

Depends on when you are traveling:

"As early as January 1, 2008, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including ferries), may be required to present a valid passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security. While recent legislative changes permit a later deadline, the Departments of State and Homeland Security are working to meet all requirements as soon as possible. Ample advance notice will be provided to enable the public to obtain passports or passport cards for land/sea entries."

I would check with the cruise line and do whatever they say.

Ryan D

Yep

kool3eat

yes, they check every time you enter a new country.
They also want to check your background before you enter another country.

Gaspode

If you are traveling outside of the US by sea or by air, you must have a valid passport. This includes Mexico and Canada.

It probably won't be long before you will need them when driving or walking to our neighboring countries. Next will be requirements that you always have Federal identification at all times.

Papers please? Und click your heels ven you hand dem ober!

jessicas127

Yes, b/c u r leaving the country!! Good luck getting one. It can take like 6 months!!!!!!

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