Passports Required Starting 2007
The United State Department announced that Americans traveling to the Caribbean -- by air or sea -- must possess a valid passport to re-enter the United States . Dubbed the "Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative", this new rule will go into effect by the end of 2006 for travel beginning in 2007.
By December 31, 2007 these requirements will be extended to all land border crossings as well as air and sea travel.
Costs for passport applications:
Passports take between 6 to 8 weeks to process, with peak season from January to July. The U.S. State Department advises that August through December are the best times to apply for a passport. Most U. S. Post Offices have passport applications.
To apply or renew a passport, see http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/get/get_840.html
