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Due to the current surge in passport applications, my office is providing assistance to Texans currently attempting to apply for a passport. Please fill out the passport intake form and fax it to my Dallas office at (972) 239-2110. On the cover sheet of your fax, please write "Passport - Urgent" and we will begin to process your request as soon as possible.
From the Department of State’s travel website, http://travel.state.gov:
Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) Update:
Congress has delayed the implementation of the next phase of the WHTI for Land and Sea Travel.
AIR TRAVEL—as of January 2007 a passport is required for air travel to or from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.
LAND AND SEA TRAVEL –passport requirement is DELAYED until SUMMER 2008 or possibly later. The Department of State will notify the public as soon as a final date is determined.
January 2008—Border authorities will require documents proving U.S. Citizenship and government-issued photo ID (such as a driver’s license). Proof of U.S. Citizenship can be a birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or a passport.
Exceptions for Children — At present there are NO exceptions for children. Passport requirements for adults and children are the same.
Passport Card — A Passport Card is under development, but there is no final production date at this time. Customers should not delay applying for a Passport in the hopes that the Passport Card will be available.
OVERNIGHT RETURN: Passport Centers can no longer accept pre-paid stamped Express Mail envelopes or any other overnight delivery pre-paid envelopes. If you wish to purchase overnight delivery of your passport, you must include $16.25 with the original passport fee. A signature requirement is automatically waived on all passports returned to the customer via Express Mail.
Further background on the WHTI Passport Requirement:
The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 requires the Department of Homeland Security and Department of State to develop and implement a plan to require all travelers, U.S. citizens and foreign nationals alike, to present a 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 (WHTI) is the Administration's proposed plan to implement this mandate.
Accordingly, (WHTI) is requiring all travelers to and from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda to present a passport or other accepted document that establishes the bearer's identity and nationality to enter or re-enter the United States. The goal is to strengthen border security and facilitate entry into the United States for U.S. citizens and legitimate international travelers
Beginning January 8, 2007 ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport, Air NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document.
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