Sounds official right? Sounds like Tom Clancy has been up all night banging away at his computer writing another spy/war novel. Nah, it is just America's new or semi new initiative to keep us safe.

This is straight from the State Department.
"Implemented on January 23, 2007, ALL PERSONS traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean region are required to present a passport or other valid travel document to enter or re-enter the United States."

So remember if your going out of the country anywhere, to Canada or the Bahamas you may need a valid Passport. Check with your airline or cruise company. Or just go to the State Department's website.

And after January 31, 2008. LAND AND SEA TRAVEL
"U.S. and Canadian citizens will need to present either a WHTI-compliant document, or a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, plus proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate. DHS also proposes to begin alternative procedures for U.S. and Canadian children at that time."

Now these procedures will be updates and will get tougher. You will eventually need to have a passport or one of the new Passport Cards to go out of the country.

Remember that The passport requirement does NOT apply to U.S. citizens traveling to or returning directly from a U.S. Territory.

Bottom line is this, do not risk anything. Get a Passport and get one 6-8 months before you need to travel. Even if you do not need one, it is the best option. Also do not forget your kids they need passports also.

If you need a passport fast there are some agencies that will expidite your request. My daughter applied for her passport December 26, 2007. We received it in the mail the last week of January. And that was the normal slow way. So the State Department is getting these out quicker now.