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Two (2) Types of
Travel Documents for U.S. Citizens:
a)
U.S. Passport Book
- valid for travel by air, sea and land
b)
U.S. Passport Card -
Not for travel by air. Valid for land and
sea crossing between the USA and Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the
Caribbean - This will not be available until Spring of
2008.
What is
a "passport"?
A passport is an internationally recognized travel document
attesting to the identity and nationality of the bearer. It is
issued by a government to its citizens or subjects, and entitles
the bearer to protection by his/her own country when traveling
abroad. Although, this does not preclude another country from
making their own visa requirements.
A passport is not recognized as a valid travel document until it
is SIGNED by the bearer.
For persons 16 years of age and older, a US passport is usually
valid for ten years from the date of issue. Otherwise, it is
valid for five years.
When a certified birth certificate cannot be presented in
emergency situation or when a passport is being issued to
replace a lost or stolen one, the validity of the passport may
be only a few months.
Before you
travel, please be sure to make a photocopy of your passport and
leave it at home and take a second copy with you in case your
passport is lost or stolen.
US passports are being issued for travel to all countries, but
special permission is required from the U.S. State Department
for travel to Cuba and Northern Korea.
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