Do you need a passport to get into the US?

[Albertan mom]

We were going to drive down to Montana in a few weeks, but our friend told us that you need a passport now just to cross from Canada into the US.
Anyone know?

[Albertan mom]

To answer my own question--I looked it up through AMA, and apparently we are still okay, we won't have to worry about that until December 07. Which is good, because they (passports) are expensive!!

[cromwell43]

We leave for Orlando on Dec 1 and return Dec 10th, will we have any problem without a passport

[Laurajean1014]

Why chance a perfectly good vacation on a small piece of paper that is mildly inconvenient? In US they are good for 5 years, child and 10 years, adult. They are great to have during any type of travel.

[cromwell43]

In reading, I believe we do not have to have passports until December 2006, so that makes a big difference

[supernurse99]

Getting a passport takes a bit of work but it is so much easier to get through Customs. It beats fumbling around in your purse for birth certificate and driver's licence. The only bad thing is my picture makes me look like the hag from you-know-where! :rotfl2:

[RoyalCanadian]

Which is good, because they (passports) are expensive!!

IMHO, the Canadian passport is one of the best travel deals available. Pro-rate the cost over 5 years and it's downright cheap.

[dsneygirl]

We cross to Buffalo to shop probably once a month. I always just use a BC and have never had a problem.

[Albertan mom]

On AMA it says that it is $87 for an adult passport and it is $37 for a childs. It then lists the passport photos fees as $9(b&w) or $11(color). Do you have to pay the photo price on top of the passport fee, or is it included?
That will be over $300 for passports! I will hold off until I have to get them I think! :)

[Debbie]

Do you have to pay the photo price on top of the passport fee, or is it included?


No, the photos aren't included. You'll have to get them done. I had mine done at CAA, and I know others have had them done elsewhere.

And, yes, it IS a lot of money, (we did 6 out of 7!) but I'm really glad that we have that done and over with....for five years.

[dsneygirl]

On AMA it says that it is $87 for an adult passport and it is $37 for a childs. It then lists the passport photos fees as $9(b&w) or $11(color). Do you have to pay the photo price on top of the passport fee, or is it included?
That will be over $300 for passports! I will hold off until I have to get them I think! :)

Unless you are planning to do more travelling in the next few years honestly I wouldn't bother. $300 for one trip is a lot of money. Lots of people travel with only their BC's so you won't get strange looks.

[Amberle3]

I'd say it more like: If you don't plan to travel to the US again (or through the US) for several years, then you're probably okay with just the birth certificates. However by Jan 1 passports will be required, depending on how you're entering the US.

I say might as well get them now while waits are shorter than when everyone panics and goes to get theirs in November.

[DIS~n~JAN]

:wave2: Hi
Just wanted to say, my DD is 15 and I'm applying for her passport cause she is still considered a child $37 and then it is still good for 5 years. :flower: We will need them anyways! :flower:

[ChisJo]

I have to say that the headache caused by not having the passport is one that I wish to never experience again. It is not only faster to use a passport, but it is never questioned. I have had more problems with just a drivers license and birth certificate, than I can explain. You can use the automatic machines to get your plane tickets at the airport with a passport, alleviating the long lines - this is not offered at all airports, mostly the larger ones. I actually almost got denied entry into the states last year because of my drivers license. Starting in January, you will need a passport anyways to get across the border (driving) and later in the year to fly across the border (or vice versa - cannot remember which order!). I won't travel without one anymore - it's just not worth it.

Jo

[Albertan mom]

According to AMA:
Dec 31/05 All travellers travelling from Caribbean, Bermuda, Central or South America into the US will need a passport

Dec 31/06 Canadian Travelers by air or sea to, from or through the US will need a passport

Dec 31/07 Canadian Travelers by air, sea or land to, from or through the US will need a passport

So it looks like if we are driving, we are good until Dec/07. If flying, we are good until Dec/06.

Some of you are saying January06-is there something new that AMA doesn't know about? Some new law or something?

[mbb]

traveling can involve too many unforseen hassles...and having a passport, for us, anyway, is a little piece of mind!!:)

:sunny:

[ottawa-newbie]

traveling can involve too many unforseen hassles...and having a passport, for us, anyway, is a little piece of mind!!:)

:sunny:

I would hate to have the first trip I take to Disney ruined by a hassle at customs. :sad2: We applied for our passports last week (you can now do it at many post offices and it's much easier than a trek downtown for us). Most TA's advise it nowadays. Oh, and our passport pics cost $5.99 at Costco.

Just my two cents :flower:

[ChisJo]

our passport pics cost $5.99 at Costco

Also, if you hold a CAA plus membership, passport photos are free.

Jo

[MamaLema]

I know the majority of Disers will probably recommend a passport.

But we have never had a problem without one. For our family of five, I figure it would cost $308 so I'm going to wait till they make it mandatory :)

[Mortlives]

One thing I feel the need to mention, as has been mentioned in previous passport discussion threads, is that a Birth Certificate cannot be replaced outside the country, a passport can. It's not just about what will get you through the border, but also what can get you back should you lose your id. Just don't forget to photocopy the main page and carry that with you separately from your passport.

Kungaloosh!
Morticia.

[maryliz]

If you're considering getting them, and you think you will only use them for this ONE trip, then I wouldn't bother ... especially not for your kids. No one ever wants to even look at my kids passports, which annoys me since I paid for them :teeth:

If there's a chance you will cross the border again in the next five years, then I would bite the bullet and get them. We did last year, and we cross the border a couple of times a year. Never had any problems with DL and BC's but figured it was best to just do it since we were going in Jan and again this Oct.

Yes, when you divide out the cost over 5 years and come up with a monthly rate, they are cheap ... but since the gov't doesn't let you pay for them on a monthly plan for 5 years, they ARE expensive to shell out that kind of money all at once. Do NOT get your pics done at a place like Black's photo -- my SIL did last year 'cause she didn't want to be "bothered" to go to Costco :rolleyes: and she paid over $25 for her passport pic.

MaryLiz

[Susan--Ontario]

We had ours done at Wal-mart and they have the camera with the proper dimensions on it. You want to make sure that the pictures are guaranteed. Ie. if the passport office refuses them the store will redo them free of charge. We've always had passports and haven't been outside of North america in 15 years. It's just easier at the border.

[DutchsMommy]

ChisJo - thanks for the heads up re: CAA - I had no idea.

A warning if you have to get a passport for a small child - they have tightened the requirement for pics - the child has to be looking straight ahead, no smile, no teeth showing, no shadow on the pic. All I haveto say is GOOD LUCK - it took 54 digital shots at the Kodak shop to get my 3yo DSs pic 'acceptable'!!

My only pet peeve with the passports is renewing them. I think if you have gone through the hassle of actually getting pics and notarized copies etc etc then they should take your fingerprint (retina scan would be better but let's not get too ST:TNG here) and then you could get an 'extension' on your passport for a lot lower price by just scanning your fingerprint when your passport expires. DH and my passport is up this month and I think it is a big pain to have to go through the whole application rigamarole again, however I do trust havinga passport more than a DL or BC.

[mousy_in_canada]

A warning if you have to get a passport for a small child - they have tightened the requirement for pics - the child has to be looking straight ahead, no smile, no teeth showing, no shadow on the pic. All I haveto say is GOOD LUCK - it took 54 digital shots at the Kodak shop to get my 3yo DSs pic 'acceptable'!!

:rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2:
I can just picture how long it would take with my 4 kids... LMBO
They are 9,7,5 & 3... I think I would have to schedule 1 hour to get them all done.. :crazy:

[CharlesTD]

Apparently now I have not read the whole thread so I may be re iterating what someone has said but it is supposed to take effect in 2007 that we will need the passport to enter the US from Canada we got our families early to avoid the rush.

[dandee00]

One thing I feel the need to mention, as has been mentioned in previous passport discussion threads, is that a Birth Certificate cannot be replaced outside the country, a passport can. It's not just about what will get you through the border, but also what can get you back should you lose your id. Just don't forget to photocopy the main page and carry that with you separately from your passport.

Kungaloosh!
Morticia.
I agree. It is the passport that gets you back into Canada. It is also recommended somewhere (?) to photcopy the main page to carry with you separately AND keep a photocopy at home with a relative or friend. That way if you are in "trouble" you have someone at home who can help you out. My DH also asked me to look for the Canadian embassies in Florida and the states we are driving through. I thought this was a bit paranoid, but I did humor him. So, we now have this information for heavens knows what reason, other than DH feels better about having it.