As many families already know, since January 23, 2007, the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) has required all U.S. citizens, of any age, traveling by air between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda to reenter the U.S. with a Biometric Electronic passport, Air NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document.

On January 31, 2008, the rules changed again. Since that time, U.S., Canadian or Bermudian travelers seeking to enter or re-enter the U.S. by sea and/or land have been required to present a valid government issued ID and a birth certificate, naturalization certificate or baptismal record. This includes all cruise ship passengers.

For information about what documents are required for a U.S. resident to enter any foreign country, contact the embassy or consulate general of the country you intend to travel to. It is important to understand that some WHTI countries require you to have a passport for entry into their country, even though the U.S. does not require you to have one to re-enter the U.S.

The Canadian government won an exemption to the WHTI rules; through June 1, 2009, minors under 19 will be able to cross the U.S. - Canada border at land and sea ports with only a certified copy of their birth certificate. The Department of Homeland Security DHS website offers specific guidelines regarding required documentation from all types of travelers.

An alternative document is also available beginning August, 2008: a U.S. Passport Card. This wallet-sized document -- only good for land and sea cross-border travel between the U. S. and WHTI countries -- utilizes a vicinity-read radio frequency identification (RFID) chip to give DHS officers access to biographical information before the traveler reaches the inspection booth so that inspection can be facilitated.

According to the DHS, "for privacy protection, no personal information is stored on the electronic chip itself." The card is not valid for international travel by air, and your kids will never relish seeing visa stamps accrue on this document, but it only costs $45 for first-time adult applicants and $35 for children under 16. Adults who currently have valid passports can apply for the passport card by mail for $20; visit http://travel.state.gov/ for applications and information.

More alternative documents are in the works, including Registered Traveler Cards for US citizens who commute internationally on a daily basis; and a driver's license type document that could be issued to all U.S. citizens as a lower cost alternative to a passport (now US$100).

The DHS will require a biometric passport from all air, sea and land travelers of any age traveling within the WHTI zone by June 1, 2009. As it has always been, American citizens of any age traveling outside the WHTI zone to any other country in the world must present a passport.

With several programs in effect and more changes to come from the WHTI, we recommend you begin applying for an old-fashioned, multi-use passport right now.

Click on this link for more information on applying for a U.S. Passport for adults and children.

To learn more about the US-Visit program read FTF's special report, "Coming to America" or watch the DHS video.