New Passport Rules Temporarily Waived

The Bush administration Friday temporarily lifted a requirement that U.S. passports be used for citizens flying to and from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda, the Associated Press reported.

The suspension is aimed at allowing the State Department to catch up with a surge in passport applications that has since a rule requiring passports for travel to from those areas took effect early this year.

The resulting backlog has caused up to three-month delays for passports and canceled or delayed travel plans of thousands of Americans, AP said.

Through the end of September, travelers will be allowed to fly without a passport if they present a State Department receipt showing they have applied for a passport, as well as a government-issued ID such as a driver’s license.

Those without passports would receive additional security scrutiny, which could include extra questioning or bag checks, AP reported.