U.S. Eases Passport Rule
June 12, 2006. Some travelers headed to luxury vacation rentals in other countries may breathe a sigh of relief at some news this weekend. The State Department and Department of Homeland Security announced together on Thursday they would temporarily lift the requirement for American citizens to have passports upon reentry from some countries.
Last January, the government announced a new security measure tightening the passport requirements. Upon reentering the country, Americans traveling to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, South America and Central America would have to show their passport. The move caused an overload at passport offices, causing delays of more than two months in some instances.
The new rule allows U.S. citizens through September to simply have government-issued photo identification and online receipts of their passport application if returning from Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean and Bermuda.
The State Department expected the number of passports it issued this year to jump from 12 million to 17.5 million, according to the New York Times.
In related news, MSN published an article showing how to fill out a passport application with minimal hassle.
