The era of easy travel to neighboring countries is coming to an end. Beginning today, Americans traveling by air to Mexico,

Canada, the Caribbean and Bermuda can't get back into the country without a United States passport.
Next year, passports will be needed for all foreign travel.
"We are not going to strand people, as much as they might like it, in Cabo San Lucas or Jamaica because they didn't get the

word about the change," said Steve Royster, a consular affairs spokesman in Washington. "But they will be significantly

delayed." And they'll be reminded to not let it happen again.
Here are a few key questions and answers about the rule change:
Q: What's new?
A:If you are traveling to any foreign country by air, you need a passport. Before today, travelers flying to Mexico, Canada,

Bermuda or countries in the Caribbean could use other identification, such as a birth certificate or driver's license.
Q: Why the change?
A:After the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the government wanted to tighten entry into the United States. The passport

rules were included in the sweeping Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004. The reasoning was that

prospective terrorists could more easily fake the estimated 8,000 different types of legal birth certificates and driver's

licenses than a U.S. passport. Implementation has been delayed to give Americans and the travel industry time to prepare.
Q: What if I travel by car, boat or rail?
A:You have one year. For now travelers returning from Mexico, Canada or the Caribbean can use the alternate forms of

identification to re-enter the United States. But beginning perhaps as early as next January, a passport will be required for

all travelers, even those taking a day trip from the U.S. to Tijuana.
Q: Are there exceptions to the rule?
A:Yes, but they are narrow and few. A small number of government and military identification cards will be accepted instead

of a passport. Alien Registration Card, Form I-551 will be accepted. The U.S. is also developing an electronic PASS card for

people who travel across the border frequently, such as going to and from work every day. But for nearly all Americans, the

passport is the key to coming and going from the country. Some organized youth group travel has also been given temporary

limited exemptions.
Q: If I don't fly, why would I bother getting a passport now?
A:If you are on a cruise or traveling by car or rail and suddenly needed to return to the United States because of an

emergency, flying back to the United States would mean costly delays while your identity was verified. With a passport, you

could return home as soon as you could get a flight.
Q: How do I get a passport?
A: You have to appear in person at one of the nation's 9,000 passport acceptance centers, which includes many post offices,

county clerks' offices, federal courthouses, some city halls and some public libraries.
You'll need to bring a completed application, two passport-size photographs, proof of U.S. citizenships (such as a registered

birth certificate or certificate of naturalization) and another form of identification such as a driver's license or military

identification card.
The prices are $97 for adults and $82 for children under 16. Additional charges will be incurred if you need to expedite the

usual six-week wait because of an upcoming trip. For details, go to http://www.travel.state.gov/.
Q: What are the waiting times?
A:Passport officials say they have been able to hold to the maximum wait time of six weeks despite a surge of passport

applications from 10 million in 2005 to 12 million in 2006. Applications could reach 18 million this year. You can check the

progress of your application at the State Department Web site mentioned above.
Q: What about children?
A:Since 1998, even newborns have needed a passport. An application for a child 14 or younger must have the consent of both

parents. Both must appear at the time of application.
Q: Where don't I need a passport to travel?:
A:Any U.S. state, including Hawaii and Alaska. Also U.S. territories including Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American

Samoa, Guam, Swains Island, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
Q: Who are the winners on this?
A: Sun-and-fun destinations that don't require passports are expecting a boost in visitors. Hawaii, California, Florida and

the U.S. Virgin Islands will likely benefit. Puerto Rico is making its "no passports" status part of its advertising

campaign. Cruise lines are expecting an uptick in bookings as people avoid flying to the Caribbean and Mexico. Baja

California is likely to get more driving visitors from the Southwest who might otherwise fly to resorts further into Mexico.
Contact the writer: Warner can be reached at gettingaway@ocregister.com. Register researcher Michael Doss and Register staff

writer Jan Norman contributed to this story.