According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the change in requirements was the result of recommendations made by the 9/11 Commission, which Congress passed into law in the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004.
The initiative was implemented in two phases. Effective January 2007, all travelers, including children, must have a passport or secure travel document when entering the U.S. by air. Beginning June 2009, land and sea travel was included in the initiative.
U.S. citizens need either a passport book or passport card. The passport book is good for air, land or sea travel. Passport books cannot be used for international air travel. But passport cards can be used to enter the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda at land border crossings or ports of entry.
However, U.S. citizens do not need a passport book or passport card for cruises that depart and return at the same U.S. port. All that is required is proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate, in addition to a government-issued photo identification.
According to the official Bahamas Tourism website, U.S. residents don't need any documentation to enter the Bahamas. However, a passport book or passport card most likely will be required to re-enter the United States. Canadian residents need a valid passport, an official birth certificate or an original naturalization/citizenship certificate along with a return or onward journey ticket and proof of funds to support the visit. Canadian citizens cannot stay in the Bahamas for more than 21 days without obtaining a visa.
Citizens from other counties need a valid passport, and some countries also are required to have a Bahamas visa. A return or onward journey ticket and proof of funds to support the visit also are required.
If applying in person, the cost for a U.S. passport is $100 for people 16 years old and older and $85 for under 16. A passport card is $45 for adults, $35 for children under 16. If applying by mail, an adult passport costs $75, and a passport card is $20. Children under 16 cannot apply by mail. For expedited service, there is an additional $60 fee for each application.
According to the U.S. State Department, the processing time of routine U.S. applications is about four to six weeks from the time of application. It may take five to seven days for applications to be tracked online. It may take less time if you paid for expedited service and sent your application via overnight delivery. Expedited service, which includes overnight delivery to and from the passport agency, processes applications in about two to three weeks.
