Another Passport Question!

[motherof4]

Ok all you fellow canadians, I know I Know the answer to this, and you guys know the answer to this, but my girlfriend is freaked out, and wants me to double check! We are a party of 9, my 6 and my girlfriend and her 2 children, driving from Barrie to detroit and flying spirit air to orlando, Oct. 20-27th. My family all have passports, her's has birth certificates, and I told her that was all she needed until Jan.'08. Am I correct???

 

[sympatico]

You are correct. You only need passports if you're flying across the border. The adults may need a photo ID like drivers license for the plane when you get in Detroit.

 

[motherof4]

Thanks!

 

[101DalmFan]

Um, your friend will need her birth certificate AND a photo ID (just something simple like her driver's license is fine) when you drive across the border. Without the picture ID there's no way of knowing the birth certificate really belongs to her

And I assume the children's father isn't travelling with them? It is possible for her to be turned away from the border if she doesn't have a notarized letter from him authorizing her to take the children out of the country. You may be asked for it going into the states, and you can be asked for it coming back into the country as well. Better to be safe than sorry

 

[Questforthemouse]

FYI...

Canada Border Service Agency website (www.cbsa.gc.ca) is now reporting that the need to use a passport for border crossings by land will be the SUMMER OF 2008 AT THE EARLIEST...

 

[motherof4]

My girlfriends husband passed away 3 years ago from cancer, what do you do in that case? Will they take your word for it? I would really hate to ask her to bring proof of that!

 

[101DalmFan]

My girlfriends husband passed away 3 years ago from cancer, what do you do in that case? Will they take your word for it? I would really hate to ask her to bring proof of that!

That is so sad. I'm so sorry to hear that.

I just asked my hubby (Toronto police sgt) what he thought, and he suggested contacting the federal govt and asking about this specific circumstance. I agree with you, I'd feel terrible telling a friend she needed a copy of her hubby's death certificate in order to travel out of the country with her kids. My hubby suggests that there might be a simple form that just needs to be filled out.

It's really an uncomfortable subject, I know.

 

[101DalmFan]

Okay, I went hunting for the info 'cause I was curious. Can I mention now how much I dislike most of the web pages for the Canadian government!

Anyhow, I found this number -- Toll-free: 1 800 461-9999 -- which you can call monday/friday, 8 am to 4 pm, to speak to someone. Off-hours you apparently just get voicemail.

I hope your friend doesn't have to jump through hoops -- that hardly seems fair at all. Good luck and I hope your vacation together is wonderful