driving across US border - Passport?

[PrincessTrisha]

I believe that I read that the US passport requirement has been changed to June 2009 for driving.

I need to confirm this (and am having difficulty finding an official webpage - I mean hey, if I was looking for someone to smuggle me across the border, that webpage I can find!) because my friend, her 4 kids and her mom are going for free dining in September. Passports are a cost she doesn't want to incur if she doesn't have to - they don't travel outside of Canada (it's her first time in 10 years!).

thanks for you help.

[rjan67]

That's the current word, but I would bet it will change. To cross now you just need your birth certificate and adults need picture i.d.

[Thumper_ehhhhh]

You don't need it yet. Sence we have ours now we decided to use them the last trip across. It was the shortest time we have ever spent at the crossing. She asked for ID and while she was scanning the passports she asked us where we were going and how long we will be gone for. Less than a minute. I will use it everytime we go across now.

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Even though Passports are not required yet when driving to the United States, they are the best forms of ID you can use. So maybe your freind should look into them, if she has any more future trips anywhere in the United States.

[SaskDisNut]

I believe that I read that the US passport requirement has been changed to June 2009 for driving.

I need to confirm this (and am having difficulty finding an official webpage - I mean hey, if I was looking for someone to smuggle me across the border, that webpage I can find!) because my friend, her 4 kids and her mom are going for free dining in September. Passports are a cost she doesn't want to incur if she doesn't have to - they don't travel outside of Canada (it's her first time in 10 years!).

thanks for you help.

If you are looking for an official web site check out Passport Canada (http://www.ppt.gc.ca/planification/local.aspx?lang=eng#us). It states what already has been said here that a passport will be required for land crossings by June 1, 2009.

[hockey mom]

Our kids don't have them and I don't plan on getting them either for our trip in August.

Why spend money that you don't have to.

I also have never spent more than a minute crossing the border with just Birth Certificates.

[BuffettBoy]

We go to Buffalo on a regular basis, they want birth certificate and picture ID or they can make your life miserable. Always had a passport, just hated to bring it out when we were running over to shop or eat. Now we carry it all the time and never have a problem at the border.

[declansdad]

They are the best form of id you can have when travelling. We even use them when flying inside the country.

[minnie56]

Going across tomorrow and ALWAYS take my Passport, In Fact--we have all applied for Nexus passes as well in order to expedite our travelling expeditions! I hate even running the risk of being held up when I want to GO!:thumbsup2

[PrincessTrisha]

Thanks everyone.

Up until now I have always crossed the border with my Birth certificate and photo ID and have never had a delay.

With the cost of the 6 of them for her (and the fact that they don't fly in or out of Canada and don't anticipate driving over to the US again anytime soon), she is not going to get the passports.

[minnie56]

Oh--I must have misread. I thought your friend was travelling in Sept..in Sept they will be required unless there's a last minute date change on implementing this. Hope she has a great and uneventful trip!

[rjan67]

If you want the i.d and don't want to spend as much you could get a Nexus pass. They are free for children and $50 for adults. They are good at border crossings and for flying to the U.S., Mexico and the Carribean. They also allow you to use the Nexus line at border crossings if you have nothing to declare which can save tonnes of time.

[OntFamily]

Oh--I must have misread. I thought your friend was travelling in Sept..in Sept they will be required unless there's a last minute date change on implementing this. Hope she has a great and uneventful trip!

Where have you read that passports will be required for travel across a land border in Sept '08? The latest estimate is June 2009.

[minnie56]

Ohhhhhh--my mistake, I thought it was June 08! Going away now....