New changes in passport rules to take effect Published March 1, 2007 By A.C. Calica Travis Passport Office TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Attention! Are you interested in taking a vacation to South America, or a trip to Jamaica? When traveling most people have a travel checklist of everything the need to packed. Now Americans will have a new item to add to their list: a passport. Approximately 27 percent of Americans have a passport. But, due to new passport regulations, all of that is about to change. Under the government's new Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, everyone, including children and infants, will be required to show their passport when traveling between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda. The only exemption to this requirement is active duty military members traveling to a country covered under the Status of Forces Agreement. Currently, the only exception for travelers will be if they travel to a U.S. territory, such as Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands. A driver's license and birth certificate will be sufficient. The deadline for these new passport rules continues to change, so travelers should beware of outdated information. If traveling by land or sea, new passport rules will go into effect as early as January 2008. To apply for a passport, individuals should have: -- Two photos, not more than six months old. -- Proof of U.S. citizenship such as a birth certificate with seal. -- A valid form of photo identification such as a driver's license. -- A parent or legal guardian to sign the application form for children ages 14 and under. Passport application forms are available online at http://travel.state.gov/passport Post offices, government offices or public libraries can assist people who are applying for a passport. Individuals may not apply for their first passport online. Visit http://iafdb.travel.state.gov/ for a list of passport agencies. Cost for an initial passport is $97 for individuals 16 and older and is valid for ten years. For children under 16, the cost is $82 and is valid for five years. For renewals, individuals can visit http://travel.state.gov/passport, for additional information on how to renew their passport by mail. For more information, call the passport office at 424-5324.