The State Department is urging Americans to apply for expired passports and or new ones as they expect a large demand throughout 2016. You may recall that in 2007 the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative went into effect for the first time requiring passports for Americans returning by air from Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean and Bermuda. The rush to acquire a first-time passport swelled. And now these passports are ready to expire.
Another bit of information is that The Department of Homeland Security set January 22, 2018 as the date residents of states that have not yet complied with the Real ID --standards for driver's licenses and other identify cards --will have to show an alternative, approved form of identification: PASSPORT will be the ideal source. Those states are: Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, New Mexico, Washington and American Samoa. Starting October 1, 2020 every air traveler will need a Real ID--compliant license, or another acceptable form of identification, for domestic air travel.
Also keep in mind that many countries enforce a requirement for six months remaining on a passport after the ending date of your travels. We recommend that you know the expiration date of your existing passport. The thought of having an expired passport and not being able to travel doesn't make for a 'happy traveler'. And, if you don't have one, now is the time to acquire one.
Log on to www.travel.state.gov for in-depth information and any question you may have; or give us a call. We'll tell you what you need to know.
800.248.8404 ~ www.reidtravel.com ~ mail@reidtravel.com
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