Funny what happens when the media starts to look into a problem.

Due to a backlog of passport applications, the U.S. State Department today modified its requirement that began earlier this year that U.S. citizens present passports when flying or taking a cruise to Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean and Bermuda and returning to the U.S.

What is required, though, is proof that a traveler has applied for his or her passport. Through September 30, 2007, air passengers to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda will be required to show a government issued photo identification and U.S. State Department official proof of application for a passport.

Visit the State Department web site at www.state.gov .  Read the  instructions about how to track your passport application and print out a form which will contain a unique “locator number.” This printout must be used to depart and return to the United States.

Here was our entry the blacklog problem just the other day.

http://blog.tsvalues.com/2007/06/05/huge-delays-in-us-passport-processing-plan-ahead/