| #ffffff;" /> | | | | necessary payment and mail through one of the |
| On January 8, 2007, all travelers to Aruba and other | | | | accepted locations. To find a location to apply and pay |
| Caribbean destinations will need a U.S. passport for air | | | | for a passport in person, visit |
| travel. The change comes as the U.S. Department of | | | | If you are in a bit of a time crunch, you must determine |
| Homeland Security attempts to alleviate travel | | | | what method will be the most effective for expediting |
| concerns about border security under the Western | | | | the completion of your passport. Your best choices |
| Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) and the Intelligence | | | | are expediting the application directly through the State |
| Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004. Unlike | | | | Department or working with a third-party service. |
| previous years when passports were not required for | | | | Though only the Passport Services Office of the |
| travel to Caribbean beach resorts, this upcoming | | | | State Department has the authority to issue passports, |
| season has added potential for traveler headache. As | | | | companies such as Passport Express and Travisa |
| many tourists that have planned their Aruba family | | | | work directly with the government to secure |
| vacation or scheduled a wedding may not be aware | | | | passports in as little as 24 hours. |
| of the new rules, there could well be a rush on new | | | | Either way, if it is your first passport or you have lost |
| passport applications near the end of the year. Also, | | | | your expired passport, you must go to a passport |
| because the program will be in its first season, there | | | | acceptance facility with your passport photos, proof of |
| certainly exists a possibility of delays beyond the | | | | citizenship and photo ID to have your application |
| outlined timeframes for passport applications. | | | | validated. The State Department lists about 7,000 |
| So, as you plan your activities for your Aruba wedding | | | | locations, including courts, post offices, libraries and |
| or vacation, you should also organize your materials | | | | government offices. |
| for your passport application. Currently, the State | | | | At this stage, one of your options is to remit payment |
| Department claims that passport applications take 4 to | | | | and mail applications from these approved locations. |
| 6 weeks to process. As backlogs are certainly | | | | When mailing directly to the Passport Services Office, |
| expected this season, it is recommended that you | | | | you will also have the ability to pay $60 for expedited |
| either apply for your passport now as a couple of | | | | shipping. Though this method doesn’t guarantee |
| months remain before the legislation goes into effect, | | | | passport completion for immediate departures, it can |
| or apply as soon as you know you are going to travel. | | | | be useful if you are traveling within 3 to 4 weeks to |
| To alleviate some of your concern, here are some | | | | 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 you | | | | have your materials approved for mailing via the |
| 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 passport |
| Regardless of how you plan on applying for your | | | | agencies. The regional offices serve citizens traveling |
| passport, the first thing you need to do is obtain proof | | | | within 2 weeks and can usually provide passports |
| of U.S. citizenship, usually in the form of a birth | | | | within 2-3 business days. After making an appointment |
| certificate. If you have an expired passport in your | | | | at such an agency, you will need to provide proof of |
| possession, that can also serve as acceptable | | | | travel within the allotted timeframe. Yet, because these |
| documentation. Next, you will need to have a pair of | | | | offices are located in only 13 cities, the third-party |
| passport pictures made. This is one of the easiest | | | | companies serve as more convenient methods for |
| steps as many businesses such as drugstores and | | | | simplifying and expediting your passport application. |
| copy shops offer the service. Then, carefully complete | | | | It is also worth noting that a Passport Card, or PASS |
| the passport application available on the State | | | | Card, program is in development for land and sea |
| Department website, or obtain an application from any | | | | travel to and from the Caribbean. When approved for |
| post office or government facility. | | | | use, this credit card-sized passport alternative could |
| Now you have to determine if you have enough time | | | | eliminate the need for a traditional passport if you |
| to wait 6 weeks or possibly longer for your passport | | | | were to travel to Aruba via cruise from the U.S. |
| to return. If you have ample time, prepare the | | | | |