76 percent of U.S. citizens were just given a new reason to get the passport they do not have.

A press release from the Chicago City Clerk office warns U.S. citizens they will have to show their passports to re-enter the U.S. from Canada and Mexico—come land, air, or sea—starting June 1.

Applying for one is straightforward:

1. Get at least two passport photos taken. Your local Walgreens, Rite Aid or FedEx Kinko’s offer these services for modest prices. The photos take about 10 minutes to dry.

2. Find the nearest office to apply for a passport (here) http://iafdb.travel.state.gov/ (U.S. Department of State).

3. Bring your photos, $75, a driver’s license or state ID, and proof of U.S. citizenship (original birth certificate or old, undamaged passport) to your local office. Passports take about 4 to 6 weeks to arrive.

Read about how to renew your passport (here) http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/renew/renew_833.html

Early bird gets the worm, no time like the present and all that jazz. It’s one thing to make travel plans and realize too late you don’t have a passport. Imagine enjoying a lovely summer trip only to find out you cannot re-enter the country to go home. Yikes…