Issuing of passport cards begins

It easily fits in a wallet or handbag and its demand is expected to be enormous, according to Steve Royster, spokesman for the State Department Bureau of Consular Affairs.

The officer made it known that the passport card became available July 14 with a waiting list of 350,000 people who applied with the federal agency since February.

The new document is an option for American citizens to the regular "book" passport, but it has a lower cost and a more "practical" presentation due to its size, similar to a credit card.

But those characteristics do not come in detriment of its security:

"The card, like the regular passport, has high security devices, with an electronic chip, security strip and a series of holograms, in addition to others which, because of obvious reasons, we cannot mention," said Royster.

On June 1, 2009, showing a valid U.S. passport will be mandatory for American citizens wanting to enter the country by land or sea from Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean

Royster mentioned that since Feb. 1, when they started accepting the applications for the cards, 20,213 citizens have applied in Arizona, and that they will receive it no later than September.

Meanwhile, he added, an average waiting period of four weeks is foreseen for all other applicants, after the State Department completes the delivery of the cards to those who requested it since February.

He added that the document will be especially beneficial for border states' residents and for those people who frequently cross into the country by land, due to its format and cost: $45 for adults, instead of $100 for the regular passport; and $35 for minors instead of $85 for the regular one.

Also, those who already have regular passports will be able to purchase the passport card for $20.

The passport card is valid for a length of time equal to the regular document: 10 years for the adults and five for minors.

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WHERE TO GET IT

- San Luis Post Office, 874 S. Main St., San Luis, Ariz., 627-7065
- Yuma County Superior Court, 250 W. 2nd S., Suite B, 817-4210
- Yuma Main Post Office, 2222 S. 4th Ave., 783-2124
- Foothills Post Office, 11692 Fortuna Road, 305-0187

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Cesar Neyoy is a staff writer for Bajo El Sol, The Sun's Spanish-language sister publication from which this story is reprinted.