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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many copies of the passport photo should be submitted with a passport application?
A: You must submit two identical photos along with your passport application.
Q: What forms of identification do I need when I travel?
From Westerm Hemisphere Travel Initiative
A: The Europe rail system is efficient and affordable but traveling by rail will limit your mobility to the areas in and around the towns and cities served by rail. In some cases these can tend to be more “touristy.” If you are interested in experiencing traditional cultures you may prefer to travel by car in order to access the smaller towns and villages where those traditions are more ingrained. In general you will find the locals welcoming and hospitable.
Q: When is the best time to visit Hawaii?
A: The climate of Hawaii is fairly consistent year-round with average daytime temperatures varying from 75 – 88 degrees in the drier summer months (April through November) to 68 – 80 degrees in the wetter winter months (December through March). Trade winds keep humidity levels generally low year-round.
Q: How can I guarantee that my Fall foliage tour will be scheduled during peak color? A: Unfortunately nature doesn’t offer such guarantees. A number of factors, including precipitation, temperature and available sunlight, influence when leaves begin to change color and how long the color will last. People begin booking hotel reservations as much as a year in advance in order to ensure availability during the autumn months in the northeast and some other areas of the country known for spectacular fall foliage. Most will witness some degree of color but the “peak” color usually only last a couple of weeks. When planning your fall foliage tour it is usually best to schedule earlier in the autumn than later. With some luck you’ll experience the peak or at least some point in the progression leading to peak color. By gambling on a late season peak you risk missing out completely and, instead of fall colors, seeing only brown leaves and bare trees.
AIR TRAVEL
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.
LAND AND SEA TRAVEL
The following summarizes information available on the Department of Homeland Security’s website.
JANUARY 31, 2008
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.
LATER
At a later date, to be determined, the departments will implement the full requirements of the land and sea phase of WHTI. The proposed rules require most U.S. citizens entering the United States at sea or land ports of entry to have either a U.S. passport; a U.S. passport card; a trusted traveler card such as NEXUS, FAST, or SENTRI; a valid Merchant Mariner Document (MMD) when traveling in conjunction with official maritime business; or a valid U.S. Military identification card when traveling on official orders.
Note: The passport requirement does NOT apply to U.S. citizens traveling to or returning directly from a U.S. territory.
U.S. PASSPORT AND OTHER TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
U.S. Passport: U.S. citizens may present a valid U.S. passport when traveling via air, land or sea between the U.S. and the aforementioned Western Hemisphere countries.
The Passport Card: U.S. citizens may begin applying in advance for this new, limited-use, wallet-size passport card beginning February 1, 2008. We expect cards will be available and mailed to applicants in spring 2008. When available it will only be valid for land and sea travel between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean region, and Bermuda.
Other Accepted Travel Documents: SENTRI, NEXUS, FAST and the U.S. Coast Guard Mariner Document. Members of the U.S. Armed Forces on active duty traveling on orders are exempt from the passport requirement. DHS has more information on these travel documents. This information may be seen at www.dhs.gov.
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