Birth Certificats or passport?

[Debbie S.]

When going through customs last year on our way back from Marsh Harbour we were told that we would need passports this year to get back into the country from the Bahamas. Anybody know the scoop? Deb S.

[4X4medic]

Not Until Dec 31 2005

[floridacargocat]

Well, if they told you last year (2004), that you would need a passport this year (2005) to come back into the USA, this information is correct in the context of, that as of December 31, 2005, US citizens, returning from the Caribbean (incl. The Bahamas), will require a passport. Whoever told you last year (2004), must have had an inkling (see the Intelligence Reform Bill, passed in November 2004), that this passport requirement would come.
actually, the passport requirement was always there, but there was a presidential exemption for travel in the Western Hemisphere, which has been revoked now, therefore the passport requirement.
I am anticipating this question to come fairly often in the next five months or so.

[Summerview]

We all need to place it on our websites and make sure guests have passports, and help to get the word out. I sure would hate to see anyone left in Florida because they did not have a passport.

Floridacargocat, thanks for all the great info!!!

Pati~

[hakmat]

This topic gets the tar beat out of it all the time, so I'll do a pre-emptive strike and hope no one else piles on.

Words in { } are being spoken very softly and I mean this in the very nicest way... believe me.

{ Just go and get your passports and you won't have to worry about it for ten years. }

Yours aye,

[floridacargocat]

Came across an interesting case today. Saw a US passport issued in month/1997, not having the machine-readable zone (so the US Immigration officer can swipe this passport through his little machine). This passport is valid until it expires in month/2007. This info has been confirmed by one of my knowledgable sources in the APIS system.
Now, when you read the announcements of DHS/DOS, by 2008 passports are required for US citizens returning from every corner of the world. When above said passport expires by 2007, this owner will be issued (upon application) a new biometric passport, having a machine-readable zone and an electronic chip.
To make matters more interesting. Current US passports have a machine-readable zone, and are valid until they expire. It is expected, that the new biometric passports for US citizens will be issued beginning either this fall or slightly later (the exact date has not been announced). In certain countries of the European Union, biometric passports will be issued as of October or November of this year, thus qualifying to maintain the visa-waiver requirements for entry into the USA. It is a little bit complex and confusing, but in plain English (and said very softly) "Maintain your passport up to date or get a new one". Thank you
There will be lots of questions about this issue, and my advice is : Keep up to date with the announcements of the Department of State and Department of Homeland Security as well as entry requirements of the countries you intend to travel to.

[Jack Frost]

You are always on target Cargocat,

Jack

[bellavista]

passport

[abaco nut]

In this day and age, it would be foolish to leave the county (doesn't matter where you're going) without a passport. Get your passports and have one less thing to worry about. Enjoy!

[Debbie S.]

Thanks everybody! Our passports are on the way but if they don't get here in time just needed to know if we could get back with our birth certificates. Deb S.