NEWS from AAA South Dakota, April 20 – Summer vacationers will find more than bargains as they travel this year. They’ll also encounter new and stricter passport rules.

Beginning June 1, forms of identification that were previously accepted at land crossings – including voter registration cards and birth certificates – will no longer be sufficient to re-enter the country. U.S. citizens returning home from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean or Bermuda by land or by sea will be required to have a passport book, a passport card or other travel document approved by the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security.

“It can take several weeks to receive a passport after application has been made,” said Mark Madeja, spokesman for AAA South Dakota. “If you’re thinking about traveling anywhere outside the country this summer, we recommend getting your passport now.”

Passport applications and passport photos are available at the Rapid City office, the two Sioux Falls offices, and the Mitchell full-service AAA Travel office. There is a small fee for photos. Applications and more information is also accessible online at http://travel.state.gov.

“The passport card is different than the traditional passport book,” said Madeja. “The card was introduced in July of last year. It can be used on cruise ships for re-entry at U.S. ports and at land border crossings as you come back from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda but that’s it. It is not valid for any air travel into the U.S. at all.”

All children regardless of age must have their own passport. Plus, there are special requirements for minors under the age of 16 and for children age 16 and 17. Children under age 16 must apply for a passport in person with both of their parents or guardians. 16-and 17-year-old children must establish parental consent.

These new tighter regulations mark the full implementation of the land and sea phase of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, which went into effect for air travelers in January, 2007.