Requirements for Travelers Between the United States and the Western Hemisphere: (Story includes text and information from the U.S. State Department Website...)
As part of its efforts to strengthen border security, the Department of Homeland Security and State Department will soon require passports for people traveling to and from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Panama, Mexico, Canada and the United States. As a result, Lucas County Clerk of Courts Bernie Quilter wants to make sure the public knows his offices are ready to help them prepare for the new policies.
¾ ALL PERSONS traveling by AIR outside of the United States are required to present a valid United States Passport to enter or re-enter the United States. Passport Cards are not valid for air travel. ¾ ALL PERSONS traveling by LAND OR SEA outside of the United States are required to present a U.S. Passport book or U.S. Passport Card, or other valid travel documents to enter or re-enter the United States.
The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 requires the Department of Homeland Security and Department of State requires all travelers, U.S. citizens and foreign nationals alike, to present a valid 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 is a result of that act and requires all travelers to present a passport or other Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative compliant documents when entering the United States. Compliant documents are as follows: ¾ U.S. Passport - Internationally recognized document verifying an individual’s identity and nationality. Acceptable for air, land, and sea travel. ¾ U.S. Passport Card - New limited use travel document that costs less, fits into your wallet and valid only for travel by land or sea. ¾ Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL) - Several States are currently issuing EDL’s which is specially designed to denote identity and citizenship. Ohio does not currently offer this document. ¾ Trusted Traveler Program Cards - NEXUS, SENTRI or FAST enrolling cards may be issued to pre-approved, low risk travelers. The cards are only valid for land and sea travel. ¾ Children - Citizen children under the age of 16 and arriving by land or sea from contiguous territories may present an original or copy of their birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, a Naturalization Certificate, or a Canadian Citizenship Card. ¾ Groups of Children - U.S. children under the age of 19 arriving by land or sea from a contiguous territory and traveling with a school group, religious group, social or cultural organization, or sports team may present an original or copy of their birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, a Naturalization Certificate, or a Canadian Citizenship Card.
The Group should possess a letter on their organizations letterhead with the following information: • The name of the organization and the supervising adult • A listing of the children 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 from the supervising adult that they have consent from the parent or legal guardian for each child.
¾ Closed Loop Cruises - U.S. citizens that board a cruise ship at a port within the United States and travel only within the Western Hemisphere, and return to the same port on the same ship may present a government issued photo identification along with proof of their citizenship. Acceptable documents are an original or copy of their birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or a Certificate of Naturalization. • Note: You may still be required to present a U.S. Passport or Passport Card to enter the foreign country you are traveling to. Contact your cruise line for information regarding required documents.
Further information can be found at: www.co.lucas.oh.us/clerk (Lucas County Clerk of Courts website) www.travel.state.gov (U.S. Department of State website)
The National Passport Information Center Phone: 1-877-487-2778 TDD/TTY: 1-888-874-7793
Lucas County Clerk of Courts One-Stop Passport Centers (Passports processed Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm)
Main/Downtown Office: 1600 Madison Ave. 419-213-8844 West/Sylvania Office: 4900 N McCord Rd. 419-213-2400 East/Oregon Office: 3034 Navarre Ave. 419-213-8580