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Bring more ID to go to Victoria

Published 12:01 am Tuesday, December 18, 2007

By Peninsula Daily News

PORT ANGELES – If you’re planning a hop across the Strait of Juan de Fuca to Victoria, or taking a driving trip to Canada or Mexico, you’ll need to pack more identification in the New Year, thanks to a new U.S. law.

Starting Jan. 31, U.S. citizens – adults and children – returning to the United States by land or sea from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or the Caribbean must carry documents that show their citizenship and identity.

Customs agents will no longer be allowed to simply ask people where they were born.

The new rule – expected to be in effect no matter if new passport rules are delayed to 2009 – will affect all vehicle and train travelers, cruise and ferry passengers and private boaters.

Air travelers have been required since last January to have passports.

Here’s what will be required at land and sea crossings as of Jan. 31:

  • DOCUMENTS – A valid U.S. passport; or a birth certificate plus government-issued photo ID such as a driver’s license or school ID for students; or a trusted-traveler card such as Nexus; or a high-tech enhanced driver’s license.

    Nexus is a federal prescreening program that issues travelers a special card for use at designated fast-clearance lanes at borders.

    Other acceptable border-crossing ID: a Merchant Marine document or a U.S. military identification card for those traveling officially.

  • YOUNG TRAVELERS – For babies and young children who don’t have school ID, a birth certificate will be sufficient, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesman Mike Milne.

    For all travelers, a copy of a birth certificate is adequate; it doesn’t have to be a certified birth certificate, said Milne.

  • ENHANCED DRIVER’S LICENSE – Starting by mid-January, Washington state residents will be able to get an enhanced driver’s license that will work like a U.S. passport to re-enter the United States by land or sea.

    Passports will continue to be required for all international air travel.

    Enhanced driver’s licenses (and enhanced state ID cards for non-drivers) will be available at the licensing office in Port Angeles two days per week and by appointment.

    The Port Angeles licensing office, in Armory Square at 228 W. First St., will be the only location in Clallam and Jefferson counties where you can apply for an enhanced driver’s license or enhanced state ID card.

  • Bring proof of citizenship (a birth certificate or other proof of citizenship such as a passport) and of Washington state residency (utility bills, mortgage and insurance documents are among the qualifying items).

    You’ll need to give your Social Security number, too.

  • Fee: $15 for people with a current driver’s license or state ID card.

  • Wait period: one to two weeks.

    It is hoped the relatively easy availability of enhanced driver’s licenses in the United States and Canada will reduce the economic impact on tourism from tightened security measures.

  • PASSPORTS – Anyone planning to travel abroad who needs a first or renewed passport should apply now to beat the rush.

    The Passport Services Office gets busy each spring and could be swamped if the land/sea traveler passport requirement goes into effect next summer.

    On the North Olympic Peninsula, passport application centers include:

  • Sequim City Hall, 152 W. Cedar St., 360-683-4139.

  • Clallam County Courthouse court clerk, 223 E. Fourth St., Port Angeles.

  • Port Angeles Post Office, 424 E. First St. at Peabody St., 360-417-2940.

  • Jefferson County Courthouse, 1820 Jefferson St., Port Townsend, 360-385-9135.

    More information about foreign travel and document requirements is available at www.travel.state.gov/passport/ and at 877-487-2778.

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