Beginning June 1, 2009, the U.S. government implemented the full requirements of the Western Hemisphere Initiative (WHTI), a U.S. law that requires all travelers, including U.S. and Canadian citizens, to present a valid passport, passport card or other approved secure document when entering the United States from within the western hemisphere.

The new document requirements were implemented for air travel in January 2007.

Final document requirements for those seeking to enter the United States at land or water ports of entry took effect June 1, 2009. The initial deadline for land or water ports was January 2008. However, the Passport Office was so overloaded with applications in preparation for the January deadline, it was forced to extend the year-end timeline to June 1, 2009.

For information on obtaining or renewing a passport, click here.