Clark Howard's Tips

You need to get a passport!

August 17, 2005

A very small percentage of Americans have passports, because most only travel to nearby countries where they don't need a passport.

But because of terrorism concerns, you are going to have to get a passport if you're going to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean or on a cruise.

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As of December, you will need a little blue book to go on a cruise in the Caribbean or to go to the Caribbean, as it's called.

By December 2006, you'll need one to go to Canada or Mexico.

Yes, getting a passport is a hassle. You have to get two passport photos made first and you must present an original birth certificate. It's not cheap and it takes about two or three weeks.

But it opens up the world to you, and, more importantly, you have to do it if you want to travel.

Clark hopes more members of Congress get out of the country more often, since they have to pass judgment on foreign affairs all the time.

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