Begining Monday June 1st, a valid U.S. passport, passport card, or other travel document approved by the Department of Homeland Security will be required when crossing to and from Canada and Mexico.

The new rule, which also affects sea crossings, is the final implementation of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, a security measure crafted from recommendations from the 9/11 Commission.

All persons traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean region also require a valid U.S. passport.

• U.S. citizen children under the age of 16 will be able to present the original or copy of their birth certificate, or other proof of U.S. citizenship such as a naturalization certificate or citizenship card.
  
  
• Groups of U.S. citizen children ages 16 through 18, when traveling with a school or religious group, social organization, or sports team, will be able to enter under adult supervision with originals or copies of their birth certificates or other proof of citizenship. See the Department of Homeland Security's GetYouHome.gov for more information on the changing travel requirements.

If you are in need of assistance with your pending passport application, please read below:

When calling please be prepared to provide your passport locator #, date of birth, social security number, and date of departure. Our office will only assist constituents who are scheduled to depart within 2 weeks or less.

For travelers with pending passport applications please note the following:

For those who reside in Northern California, and are traveling within 3 to 5 days prior to your date of departure, it is advised that you appear at the San Francisco Passport Agency and wait in the "pending applications" line. Appointments are not necessary for pending applicants. The doors open at 9:00AM Monday through Friday. It is recommended that you arrive early. If you have yet to apply for a U.S. Passport, and are scheduled to depart in a week or less, Senator Boxer may schedule a passport appointment for you.

San Francisco Passport Agency
95 Hawthorne Street
San Francisco, CA 94105

For those who reside in Southern California, you may wish to contact our office to assist you in scheduling a passport appointment at the Los Angeles Passport Agency if you are traveling 5 days prior to your date of departure. Constituents may schedule their own appointment only if it is a medical emergency

Los Angeles Passport Agency
11000 Wilshire Blvd., Ste. 1000
Los Angeles, CA 90024

• A new passport application
• 2 new passport photos
• Proof of travel
• Proof of U.S. Citizenship*

For those who have not yet applied for a passport, you may wish to go to http://travel.state.gov to learn more about application processing times.

*if you have already submitted your original proof of citizenship to the passport agency, it is advised that you attain an additional certified copy of your birth certificate. If this is not possible, you may wish to bring a photo copy of either your expired passport or birth certificate. If you do not have either, please be prepared to bring additional documents that may assist you with proving citizenship (eg. School, tax records).

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