A Briggs Passport & Visa Expeditors

Passport Update on new Passport Rules From A Briggs Passport & Visa Expeditors

January 4, 2008

FIRST: New regulations go into effect on January 31st that require all persons entering or re-entering the U.S. to show proof of citizenship. Prior to that date, persons can continue to prove citizenship verbally.

Proof of citizenship can be accomplished by presenting a valid passport, an original or certified copy of a U.S. birth certificate, or an original copy of your certificate of citizenship or naturalization. We recommend a passport because it is the only document that proves both your citizenship and your identity.

SECOND: The Department of State, the agency of the Federal Government that issues passports, issued new rules regarding the new passport card on December 31, 2007. Here is a summary of everything covered in the new regulations. As you will see, there are more rules to be issued in the future telling citizens when and how the State Department will begin issuing passport cards. When and how the State Department will begin issuing the passport cards is not yet known.

1. The State Department will issue passport cards. The official name of the document will be “passport cards.” State will continue to issue “passport books” which up until now we have known as a “passport.”
2. The passport card is valid only for passage through land and sea ports between the U.S. and Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean and Bermuda. The passport card cannot be used for flights into or out of the U.S.
3. The passport card will be issued to citizens in all 50 states but it is exclusively for use for land and sea entrance to the U.S. Passport cards cannot be used for international air travel.
4. Passport cards can be used for identification for domestic flights. Remember: the passport card can be used as government-issued proof of identity and proof of citizenship. So, if you do not have a driver’s license and need identification for passing through security for domestic travel, you can use your passport card for proof of identity instead of presenting your driver’s license.
5. Passport cards have the same validity as passport books – 10 years for adults 16 and over and 5 years for children under 16.
6. Citizens will be able to apply for a passport card at any acceptance agent on the same basis as a regular passport.
7. Passport books must be signed on the signature page by the passport holder to be valid. Passport cards do not have to be signed to be valid.
8. The passport cards will be able to be scanned at U.S. borders when a person is in the vicinity of an electronic reader that will be operated by U.S. border control officials. The chip in the card contains only one item of information – a unique identifying number that has meaning only inside the secure database of the State Department and Homeland Security Department. There is no personal information such as name, date of birth, social security number, etc. stored electronically on the chip. So, if someone did pick up the signal, they would not be able to use the data to learn anything about the holder.
9. The execution fee for applying for a passport card is $25. The execution fee for applying for a passport book is $30.
10. The fees for obtaining a passport card for persons without a passport are as follows:
    • Adults: Total $45 — $20 application fee, plus $25 execution fee
    • Children under 16: Total $35 — $10 application fee, plus $25 execution fee
11. Persons who have a valid passport book (Remember: a “passport book” means a person who has a “passport”) and who are applying for a passport card (in addition to holding a valid passport) are not required to pay the execution fee. Thus, persons with a valid passport who also want a passport card can apply for $20.
12. The government may permit alternative documentation for land crossings such as driver’s licenses issued by states that have established methods for determining citizenship acceptable to the Federal government. Several states have already submitted proposals to the Federal government. This matter will be addressed in subsequent regulations issued by the Federal government.

We’ll keep you posted.

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Planning a trip? Is your passport up to date? Click here to order a Passport.

By E Cho

With attractions like the Main Street USA, Fantasyland, Adventureland, Liberty Square, Frontierland, Tomorrowland and Mickey’s Toontown Fair, the Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Florida is perhaps the most popular Disney resort, as well as the first in the line. Built in 1971, the resort spanning over 28,000 acres is, every year, thronged by thousands upon thousands of visitors both young and old.

The Main Street, USA, is where you can walk or enjoy a horse-drawn street car. Horseless carriages and the Walt Disney World Railroad are also there to take you visiting Ariel’s Grotto or Cinderella’s Castle amidst other attractions like the Mad Tea Party or Mickey’s Philhar Magic. Adventureland takes you through the exotic and remote foreign lands; be it Alladin’s Magic Carpets or the Jungle Cruise, the atmosphere is stunning and enjoyable for all ages.

Dubbed the “Most Magical Place on Earth”, the resort also features some of the all time greats of the animation world; Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy and Pluto, all having the Disney name in common between them. Mickey’s Toontown Fair boasts attractions that feature all of them, including Donald’s Boat, The Barnstormer at Goofy’s Wiseacre Farm and Mickey, as well as Minnie’s, Country Houses.

To keep the different sections of the kingdom connected, yet eliminate the need for characters of one kingdom to pass through other kingdoms where they look out of place, the Disney team built utility corridors in the shape of underground tunnels, coining them as Utilidors. The detail that went into the planning of the resort is also apparent from the “forced perspective” visual trick used in Cinderella’s Palace which makes it look much higher than its actual 189 feet.

Designed by Michael Graves, the award winner architect, the luxurious Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel Orlando is the place to stay while you visit the Magical Disney resort. At the heart of the Walt Disney World Resort in terms of its location, this hotel features the Heavenly Bed and rooms with limited or resort view of the world surrounding it. The dining facilities within the resort are similarly luxurious as well as exotic, with 17 different outlets to cater to your taste buds. For those who wish to relax during their vacations, there are pools, waterfalls, fountains and even whirlpools to give you complete relaxation as well as a tropical environment to work on that elusive tan.

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Planning a trip overseas? You’ll need a passport. Click here to order your passport.

About The Author:

E Cho writes articles for Orlando Hotels