CNS - The Auto Club is reminding Southland residents that U.S. citizens will need passports or a government-issued photo identification plus proof of citizenship to get into Mexico, Canada, Bermuda or Caribbean countries starting Jan. 31.

Proof of citizenship can be an original birth certificate or a naturalization certificate.

“Identification requirements for travelers have been changing frequently in the last couple of years, and travelers need to stay aware of these changes so they bring the correct documents on their trips,” said Diana Meinhold, the Auto Club’s vice president for travel products and services.

The rules also apply to those entering foreign waters on cruises.

Immigrations officials initially wanted all U.S. citizens to carry passports when traveling to next-door countries by this summer, but that requirement has been pushed back to 2009, when the government plans to issue a new form of ID to be known as a “passport card.”

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