US citizens, if you don’t already have a passport and are planning travel, get one.

For air travel, as of 01/23/07, a passport will be required to fly between the US and Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean region. It will be mandatory that you present a passport or to enter or re-enter the United States.

For land and sea travel, beginning in summer 2008, travelers will be required to present a passport for all sea travel between the US and Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, the Bahamas and Bermuda. All travelers including children will be required to have a passport.

If you don’t have a passport, apply for one as far in advance as is possible because the current processing time is two to three months. Check the US Department of State website for applications, required documents, instructions, announcements and changes in any laws.