PORT ANGELES – If you’re planning a hop across the Strait of Juan de Fuca to Victoria, or taking a driving trip to Canada or Mexico, you’ll need to pack more identification in the New Year, thanks to a new U.S. law.
Starting Jan. 31, U.S. citizens – adults and children – returning to the United States by land or sea from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or the Caribbean must carry documents that show their citizenship and identity.
Customs agents will no longer be allowed to simply ask people where they were born.
The new rule – expected to be in effect no matter if new passport rules are delayed to 2009 – will affect all vehicle and train travelers, cruise and ferry passengers and private boaters.
Air travelers have been required since last January to have passports.
Here’s what will be required at land and sea crossings as of Jan. 31:
Nexus is a federal prescreening program that issues travelers a special card for use at designated fast-clearance lanes at borders.
Other acceptable border-crossing ID: a Merchant Marine document or a U.S. military identification card for those traveling officially.
For all travelers, a copy of a birth certificate is adequate; it doesn’t have to be a certified birth certificate, said Milne.
Passports will continue to be required for all international air travel.
Enhanced driver’s licenses (and enhanced state ID cards for non-drivers) will be available at the licensing office in Port Angeles two days per week and by appointment.
The Port Angeles licensing office, in Armory Square at 228 W. First St., will be the only location in Clallam and Jefferson counties where you can apply for an enhanced driver’s license or enhanced state ID card.
You’ll need to give your Social Security number, too.
It is hoped the relatively easy availability of enhanced driver’s licenses in the United States and Canada will reduce the economic impact on tourism from tightened security measures.
The Passport Services Office gets busy each spring and could be swamped if the land/sea traveler passport requirement goes into effect next summer.
On the North Olympic Peninsula, passport application centers include:
More information about foreign travel and document requirements is available at www.travel.state.gov/passport/ and at 877-487-2778.
