BORDER-CROSSING CHANGES COMING SOON

Last update: May 22, 2009 - 1:54 PM

If you're driving to Canada, be sure you have the right documents starting June 1.

That's when a new U.S. law will require Americans entering or returning to the United States by land or sea to have one of several federally approved IDs.

The law means Americans arriving by land or sea from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and Caribbean countries must have one of a few approved documents. Those include a passport; a passport card, which resembles a driver's license; a "trusted traveler" document such as the Nexus card, for travelers who have been extensively prescreened; or an enhanced driver's license (for residents of the only five states currently issuing them: Michigan, New York, North Dakota, Vermont and Washington).

Children under 16 need just a birth certificate (an original or copy). Ages 16 through 18 traveling in organized groups, such as school or sports teams, also need only birth certificates.

Passports and passport cards are issued by the U.S. State Department; for details, go to www.travel.state.gov/passport or phone 1-877-487-2778. The Nexus card is issued by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/; 1-866-639-8726).

Details on the new ID requirements can be found at the federal website www.getyouhome.gov.

KERRI WESTENBERG

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