Passport Alternatives for Travelers

One phrase that my dad has often used over the years is that "there is more than one way to defur the feline". When you are looking to travel there is also more than one way to get where you want to go, and this extends to the necessity of getting an expensive passport. I'm going to take a quick look at some alternatives for U.S. citizens looking to travel.

U.S. Passport
The most well known form of identification for travelers is the passport, which can take several weeks to get and cost $100 or more.

A passport is accepted for worldwide travel via air, land and sea. There used to be no need for a passport when traveling between Alaska and the lower 48 States through Canada, however, in 8 days that will change and a passport, or other valid travel documents to go through Canada.

PASSPORT CARD
Lesser known about than the passport book is the passport card. This is a small card similar to a laminated driver's license. The card is nor good for air travel overseas, but can be used for land and sea travel between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda.

Fees:
Passport Book - $100 Age 16 to adult
Passport Book - $85 Age under 16
Passport Card - $45 Age 16 to adult
Passport Card - $35 Age under 16
Expedited Passport Book - $160 Age 16 to adult
Expedited Passport Book - $145 Age under 16


Information on passports can be found at the U.S. Department of State - travel website.

Trusted Traveler Cards
The Trusted Traveler Cards are used to make travel across U.S. borders faster for travelers. The cards that most travelers will be familiar with are the NEXUS card, used for travel between the United States and Canada, and the SENTRI card, used for travel between the United States and Mexico.

Fees:
NEXUS card - $50 per person
SENTRI card - $122.25 per person

Find more information on Trusted Traveler Cards at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection - Trusted Traveler Cards page.

ENHANCED DRIVER'S LICENSE
Some States now offer enhanced driver's licenses that can be used as not only proof of identity, but proof of United States citizenship. The enhanced drivers license takes the place of the passport for U.S. citizens seeking to cross the border with Canada, Mexico.

States that are currently working with the Department of Homeland Security to produce these enhanced drivers licenses are: Arizona, California, Michigan, Texas, Vermont and Washington.

Find out more about the Enhanced Driver's License at the Department of Homeland Security website.