Effective January 8, 2007, all nationals, including U.S. citizens, will be required to hold a valid passport to enter the United States by air and by sea. This also applies when coming from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America. The new passport requirement means that all travelers, including U.S. citizens, who are departing the U.S. and intend to re-enter the United States are required to hold a valid passport upon
departure from the U.S.

Thanks for the reminder. Ours are up to date, but I've got two kids who need to get on that.
Paying almost double for expedited is no fun.

Absolutely correct, but I still cannot comprehend why someone would travel internationally without a passport. What am I missing?
M (SMdA, Gto.)

I belive that the new aspect of this is that it affects places where US nationals previously could travel with other types of IDs, such as Canada and Mexico. Many Americans travel to those countries but would have no other use for a passport.

Anonymous is correct, when I lived in Detroit, Windsor was viewed as just another suburb and took no longer to reach than any other part of the metro area.

We used to head to Canada for dinner and a movie on the spur of the moment. There was never any thought of grabbing a passport as we left the house and I kept a copy of my birth certificate in the car. People from Windsor came to theatre, concerts and sporting events in Detroit.

Before the stores in Ontario were allowed to open Sundays, many people from SW Ontario drove to Michigan to shop for clothing, groceries and many other things. Several said that even with the cost of gas, tolls, exchange rates and duty it was still cheaper than shopping at home.

College students in NW Ohio and SE Michigan also head to Ontario on weekends because the drinking age is only 19.

I'm sure it's very similar in other border communities. There's a great deal of local commerce that relies on the open border. That's why the border states have fought this requirement.

My in-laws live in Del Rio, TX and it is VERY common there for people to run across the border for dinner, or to buy cheaper liquor or medicines. My in-laws, who never otherwise travel internaionally, are really hoping some sort of border crossing card will be made up for people like them so they don't have to pay $100 each for passports.

Finally, all will be required to have passports to re-enter the US legally!
M (SMdA, Gto.)

To clarify, land crossings from Mexico or Canada into the U.S. have one more year, Jan 1, 2008, before they must have passport.
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html

ChristieP, that would be a great idea. Perhaps an extra option with passport purchase, to be used for land crossings.

We go to Canada constantly when visiting family in Bflo. In the past I've just needed BC for my toddlers. It sounds like I need to get passports now. Forgive my ignorance (its been a long time), but where do I go get them?

Follow the link that joan provided and click "passports" at the top for more info on getting passports.

Regarding passports for kids - read carefully regulations regarding parental permission from both parents - to get passport for young kids (older kids have different set of rules).

Govt is recommending even if you are getting routine renewal for adults by mail that you leave extra time for processing as they anticipate higher demand for passports.

Cruise industry has entered the picture - and you may expect more delays later.

I don't know if the President has signed off on it yet, but right before its recess Congress amended the passport law to state that cruise passengers will have until Jan. 2009 to get passports. Air travelers will still have to get one for Jan. 2007.

However, I read that the last minute change will also delay enforcement of requiring passports for land travel from U.S. to Mexico and Canada. Apparently border states are worried that they haven't had enough time to inform consumers, and businesses are concerned this will hurt cross-border commerce.

Requiring a passport, as opposed to other id, at the Canadian border will accomplish what? Trying to control the borders of Canada and Mexico with passports is going to be far more of an inconvenience than security enhancing.

BTW, anyone can bring anyone or anything in from Canada on a boat. Ditto from Mexico, I am sure. Oh, and I guess people will still be able to walk across the border illegally like so many thousands of people do every day.

This is just more smoke and mirrors to make us feel like our government is doing something.

I got mine and 2 of my sons in July. I was expecting a long wait and I was shocked when they all came back within 10 days.