Passport requirements for air travel were first made mandatory in January 2007. It is now a requirement for citizens of the U.S., Mexico, Bermuda and Canada, who enter the United States from a different country via an airport, to present a valid passport at the immigration desk.
At this time, the Department of Homeland Security only recognizes an I-551 permanent resident alien identification card, a merchant mariner document and a NEXUS air card as acceptable substitutions to fulfilling the passport requirements for air travel.
Apply for a U.S. passport at the post office or other local agencies that accept applications. The cost for an adult passport---for those 16 and older---is $100, while a children's passport costs $85. Adult passports are valid for 10 years, while children's passports are only good for five years. Before going on a trip, make sure your passport will not expire while you are out of the country. Most travel agencies and border agencies in other countries require U.S. travelers to show at least six months of valid time left on their passports.
The State Department details application requirements for a passport that meets the requirements for air travel. (A link is placed in the resources section.) First-time applicants must apply in person and show proof of citizenship, while those simply renewing may do so by mail.
There are no exceptions to the passport requirements for air travel, even if your passport has not yet arrived in the mail. Order your passport well ahead of any planned air travel, or hedge your bets by expediting your passport application. This increases your fees by $60, and there's an additional cost for overnight delivery. At this time, regular processing time takes about three weeks, while expedited processing only shaves off one week.
