Summer is considered prime time for vacations. The kids are out of school and many businesses slow down, making it a great time to get away. But if your summer travel plans include a jaunt to Canada or Mexico, make sure you have a passport.

Summer is considered prime time for vacations. The kids are out of school and many businesses slow down, making it a great time to get away. But if your summer travel plans include a jaunt to Canada or Mexico, make sure you have a passport. Starting Monday, United States citizens need a U.S. passport or passport card to re-enter this country by land or sea from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean or Bermuda.

Previously accepted forms of identification, such as voter registration cards and birth certificates, are no longer acceptable. The changes are part of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, a federal law that is a result of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004.In 2007, passports were required for air travel from Canada, Mexico and the other countries. The land and sea portion of the law was supposed to go into effect last year, but the government gave citizens a break and extended the deadline until June 1. Under the new law, those without proper documents will be questioned by Border Patrol agents and, possibly, by customs officials. http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html