A Spring Break Vacation Advisory: New Travel Regulations in Effect
As Spring Break approaches many Oklahomans are preparing to take family vacations, church mission trips or retreat to other sun-filled vacation spots. Groups are planning their trips outside of the country, but they may not be aware of recent passport changes announced by the Department of State. It is important that those American citizens traveling out of the United States understand the new regulations and have the necessary documents in hand so that their Spring Break plans do not meet unexpected turbulence.
There are a lot of rumors circulating about what documents are needed to travel outside of the continental United States. To set the record straight, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials have produced some information to better inform travelers. As of February 1st of this year citizens need to produce an acceptable document that proves citizenship and residency. It is no longer enough to merely say you are a citizen when entering the United States by land or sea ports of entry. Also, these changes only apply to citizens age 19 and older and they do not affect individuals traveling to Alaska or Hawaii.
In order to travel with only one document that proves identity and citizenship, you must use a U.S. Passport, Trusted Traveler Card, Native American Tribal Photo Identification Card, U.S. Military ID with official travel orders, or a few other rare identification cards mentioned on the CBP's web site. Everyone else without one of those documents has to carry two separate documents, one that proves identity and one that proves citizenship. Sample identification documents are: a driver's license or a military ID card. The second requirement can be met by a citizenship document such as a birth certificate, Certificate of Naturalization, Certification of Citizenship, or Citizen Identification Card, all of which must be issued by the United States.
It is also good to be reminded of existing guidelines and to review the recommendations of the CBP before traveling. If you are planning on leaving for a cruise this Spring Break or summer, it is important to check with the cruise line to see what documents they require. Some cruise ship carriers require citizens to present a U.S. passport before they can travel. Also, particularly if you are traveling internationally, it is critical to know your destination country's document requirements beforehand. This information can be obtained at the Department of State's website or by contacting the Embassy of the country that you are visiting.
I hope this information helps many of you have a safe and enjoyable vacation in the upcoming months. If you have made plans to travel outside of the U.S. this Spring Break or summer, I would highly encourage you to apply for a passport as soon as you can. If you have already applied for a passport and are having difficulty receiving it in time for your dates of travel, please feel free to contact my office at 405-329-6500 and my staff may be able to help expedite the process.