| On January 8, 2007, all travelers to Aruba and other | | | | pay for a passport in person, visit |
| Caribbean destinations will need a U.S. passport for air | | | | iafdb.travel.state.gov. |
| travel. The change comes as the U.S. Department of | | | | If you are in a bit of a time crunch, you must |
| Homeland Security attempts to alleviate travel | | | | determine what method will be the most effective |
| concerns about border security under the Western | | | | for expediting the completion of your passport. Your |
| Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) and the | | | | best choices are expediting the application directly |
| Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of | | | | through the State Department or working with a |
| 2004. Unlike previous years when passports were not | | | | third-party service. Though only the Passport |
| required for travel to Caribbean beach resorts, this | | | | Services Office of the State Department has the |
| upcoming season has added potential for traveler | | | | authority to issue passports, companies such as |
| headache. As many tourists that have planned their | | | | Passport Express and Travisa work directly with the |
| Aruba family vacation or scheduled a wedding may | | | | government to secure passports in as little as 24 |
| not be aware of the new rules, there could well be a | | | | hours. |
| rush on new passport applications near the end of | | | | Either way, if it is your first passport or you have |
| the year. Also, because the program will be in its first | | | | lost your expired passport, you must go to a |
| season, there certainly exists a possibility of delays | | | | passport acceptance facility with your passport |
| beyond the outlined timeframes for passport | | | | photos, proof of citizenship and photo ID to have |
| applications. So, as you plan your activities for your | | | | your application validated. The State Department lists |
| Aruba wedding or vacation, you should also organize | | | | about 7,000 locations, including courts, post offices, |
| your materials for your passport application. Currently, | | | | libraries and government offices. |
| the State Department claims that passport | | | | At this stage, one of your options is to remit |
| applications take 4 to 6 weeks to process. As | | | | payment and mail applications from these approved |
| backlogs are certainly expected this season, it is | | | | locations. When mailing directly to the Passport |
| recommended that you either apply for your | | | | Services Office, you will also have the ability to pay |
| passport now as a couple of months remain before | | | | $60 for expedited shipping. Though this method |
| the legislation goes into effect, or apply as soon as | | | | doesn't guarantee passport completion for immediate |
| you know you are going to travel. | | | | departures, it can be useful if you are traveling within |
| To alleviate some of your concern, here are some | | | | 3 to 4 weeks to ensure you receive your passport. |
| additional recommendations to secure your passport | | | | In lieu of submitting your application directly to the |
| as quickly and easily as possible for your Aruba | | | | Passport Services Office, your alternatives are to |
| vacation and even an outline of what to do when | | | | have your materials approved for mailing via the |
| you don't have enough time to apply for a passport | | | | aforementioned third-party expediting services, or to |
| via traditional methods. | | | | make an appointment with one of 13 regional |
| Regardless of how you plan on applying for your | | | | passport agencies. The regional offices serve citizens |
| passport, the first thing you need to do is obtain | | | | traveling within 2 weeks and can usually provide |
| proof of U.S. citizenship, usually in the form of a birth | | | | passports within 2-3 business days. After making an |
| certificate. If you have an expired passport in your | | | | appointment at such an agency, you will need to |
| possession, that can also serve as acceptable | | | | provide proof of travel within the allotted timeframe. |
| documentation. Next, you will need to have a pair of | | | | Yet, because these offices are located in only 13 |
| passport pictures made. This is one of the easiest | | | | cities, the third-party companies serve as more |
| steps as many businesses such as drugstores and | | | | convenient methods for simplifying and expediting |
| copy shops offer the service. Then, carefully | | | | your passport application. |
| complete the passport application available on the | | | | It is also worth noting that a Passport Card, or PASS |
| State Department website, or obtain an application | | | | Card, program is in development for land and sea |
| from any post office or government facility. | | | | travel to and from the Caribbean. When approved |
| Now you have to determine if you have enough time | | | | for use, this credit card-sized passport alternative |
| to wait 6 weeks or possibly longer for your passport | | | | could eliminate the need for a traditional passport if |
| to return. If you have ample time, prepare the | | | | you were to travel to Aruba via cruise from the U.S. |
| necessary payment and mail through one of the | | | | without any international air travel. |
| accepted locations. To find a location to apply and | | | | |