PASSPORT
CALIFORNIA GOSPEL CONFERENCE
MARCH 4 - 12, 2009
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Border Crossing Update
New Passport Rules
Recent changes in passport rules have left some travelers scratching their heads. Here are the facts:
As of January 23, 2007, all people, including U.S. Citizens, traveling by air between the U.S. And Canada,
Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda are required to present a valid passport.
If you're traveling by sea or land (that means ferries, cruises, cars, trains, etc.) between the U.S. And
Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda, this law won't apply until January
1, 2008.
Passport Security
In an effort to improve security and prevent passport forgeries, the government has begun to issue a new
biometric passport, which combines the traditional paper documents with electronic data. The new passport
will be equipped with a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip. The chip stores the same data that is in a
standard passport, along with digital image of the owner. The data isn't encrypted, but the information can't
be read by just anyone – a State Department private key is used to encrypt a "hash" (a number generated
from a string of text) of the information on the chip. A passport officer has to swipe the passport through an
optical reader, scanning the text that's printed on the passport page below the photo. The hash creates a
unique key that unlocks the data on the RFID chip. The passport includes a radio shield in the cover that
protects the chip, but if the chip is broken, the passport is still valid.
If this all sounds too "Brave New World" for you, consider that fact that RFID chips are already being used in
car keys to prevent theft, library books, airline baggage tracking, pharmaceuticals, ID badges, the American
Express Blue credit card, and even in pets. Biometric passports are already in effect in Australia, Canada
and Singapore. There has been some public outcry over privacy issues, and questions over how secure
these RFID chips actually are.
Children and Passports
Children of all ages -- yes, even infants -- are now required to have a passport for all international travel. A
2001 law states that when applying for a U.S. passport for a child under 14, both parents must provide proof
of consent, or the applying parent must have sole authority to obtain the passport. This law was passed to
decrease the possibility of international child abduction by a parent. For more information on how to apply
for a passport for a minor, visit http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/minors/minors_834.html or call the Office
of Children's Issues in the Bureau of Consular Affairs at (202) 663-2641.
If you are taking a child other than your own across the border, or your own child without your spouse (or
ex), you need to have a notarized note from the parent(s) giving you permission to take the child out of the
country. This is in addition to the child's passport and any necessary visas. Be sure that the note specifies
the dates of travel and is signed and notarized. If a parent fears that a child might be taken abroad by the
other parent without the mutual consent of both parents, the child's name can be put in the U.S. Passport
name check system. If an application is received, the requesting parent will be informed before issuance of
the passport. For more info, see http://travel.state.gov/passport/fri/faq/faq_853.html
Additional Passport Tips
-For general passport information, visit http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html
-Before traveling, make a photocopy and digital scan of your passport and keep it in a separate location from
the original. If you're not comfortable with emailing yourself your passport scan through a web-based email
account, you can store it on a secure site like http://www.passportsupport.com for about $11 per year.
-You should have at least two blank pages on your passport to pass through customs. If your passport won't
expire for awhile, you can get extra pages from a passport office or American consulate.
-Watch the expiration date: if your passport expires within six months of your scheduled return, get a new
one or you may not be getting out of the country.
-Obtaining a new passport can take up to 6 weeks. If you need to obtain a passport quickly (even within 24
hours), you can use an authorized expedited passport service such as:
Official Travel Documents, http://www.officialtraveldocuments.com;
Passport Plus, http://www.passportplus.net;
Passports and Visas, http://www.passportsandvisas.com;
Passport Express, http://www.passportexpress.com.
Hopefully, you already know about the new border crossing rules which took
effect January 23rd, especially if you happen to be traveling internationally. But
do you really?
Inevitably, travelers will show up at the airport over the next months, plane
tickets in hand, yet they will be refused boarding because they do not have a
proper passport...or because they didn't know about the lesser known facts about
documents needed when traveling over borders with children.
So to help you avoid any unpleasant experiences -- or at the very least, some
confusion -- PeterGreenberg.com presents some helpful information on
everything you need to know right now regarding passports and international
borders.
CALIFORNIA
GOSPEL
CRUISE
MINISTRIES
Many women pray more earnestly
as intercessors for others than for
themselves. That is wonderful, but
there ought to be a time when you
desire certain things for yourself.
as intercessors for others than for
themselves. That is wonderful, but
there ought to be a time when you
desire certain things for yourself.
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Liz Elegant Travel
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916 424-5452
Tickle Me Travel
Leona Hunter
415 671-0115
Go Globe With Noble
Sonja Noble
916 408-2863
BMoore Promotions
Monty Embry
661 324-2897
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