Passport rules are changing Comments March 27, 2009 By Amy Lavalley Post-Tribune correspondent Going anywhere? Regulations for U.S. citizens are changing June 1, requiring travelers to have a passport card or book to re-enter the country by land or sea from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean. Passport cards are not good for international travel or travel by plane. Passport books are still necessary for international travel and returning by air from any destination across U.S. borders. To help travelers meet the requirements, the United States Postal Service and the Department of State are sponsoring National Passport Day in the USA on Saturday at post offices across the country. Many post offices in the region are participating. The postal service has offered passports for quite some time but this may be the first time it's joined forces with the state department, said Kim Yates, spokeswoman for the postal service. Yates said anyone who wants to apply for a passport book or card should bring a certified birth certificate and a driver's license, state-issued identification card, or old passport. Children need birth certificates and must accompany parents to the post office. She encouraged applicants to download an application online and fill it out in advance, except for the signature. Applications will be available at the post offices, too. Passport-quality photos also can be taken onsite, for a fee. Passport cards are $20 for those 16 and up, and $10 for children. Passport books are $100 for those 16 and up, and $80 for children. Passport Day is a joint effort between the United State Postal Service and the Department of State. Offices Though hours vary by site, post offices here participating are: n 128 S. East St., Crown Point n 2225 Great Lakes Drive, Dyer n 901 E. Chicago Ave., East Chicago n 1499 Martin Luther King Drive, Gary n 320 E. 40th Ave., Gary 5530 Sohl Ave., Hammond n 8500 Kennedy Ave., Highland n 303 W. 80th Place, Merrillville n 303 Washington St., Michigan City n 919 Ridge Road, Munster n 221 Main St., Hobart n 2701 Willowcreek Road, Portage n 1200 Eagle Ridge Drive, Schererville n 2700 Valparaiso St., Valparaiso Learn more Information on the passport book and card can be found at www.usps.com/passport/ or www.travel.state.gov. U.S. citizens may also obtain passport information by phone, in English and Spanish, by calling the National Passport Information Center toll-free at (877) 487-2778.