U.S. to issue passport alternative this spring

— -- Starting Feb. 1, U.S. residents who travel frequently by land or sea between the USA and Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean or Bermuda can apply for a cheaper, wallet-sized alternative to a traditional passport, which is already required for all air travel outside the USA.

The new passport card, to be issued sometime this spring, will be valid for 10 years for adults, five years for children 15 and younger. The cost will be $45 for adults, $35 for children — vs. the regular passport cost of $97 for adults and $82 for children.

As of Jan. 31, meanwhile, adults crossing U.S. borders by land or sea who don't already have passports must show both a government-issued I.D. card, such as a driver's license, and proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate.

The new passport cards aren't designed for cruise passengers, since U.S. passengers returning from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean or Bermuda are already exempt from passport requirements — and likely will continue to be, even after full implementation of the Western Hemishphere Travel Initiative sometime in 2009. Cruisers must still carry a government-issued photo I.D. and proof of citizenship, and cruise lines encourage passports in case passengers need to fly home from a foreign port.

Information: travel.state.gov/passport/ppt_card/ppt_card_3926.html