child passport help please!

[MamaLema]

I just read on the passport website that children under 16 need the long form of their birth certificate to apply for a passport. Is this true?

I could of sworn that they scrapped that idea a while ago. Am I reading old information?

Please help. Depending on the answer, I will need to get myself downtown today.

This is for Ontario, BTW,

Thanks!

 

[JenluvsDisney]

Unless your child was born outside of Canada or is adopted, you'll need that long form birth certificate. Good luck!

 

[Skjhjb]

I just read it.... For proof of Canadian citizenship, a birth certificate is required. For children under 16, a long form "will also" qualify for proof. Meaning, if you have the long form, you can use it.

We got ours in 2012, and the younger two were under 16 at the time. We just used regular birth certificates then.

 

[Skjhjb]

I just read it.... For proof of Canadian citizenship, a birth certificate is required. For children under 16, a long form "will also" qualify for proof. Meaning, if you have the long form, you can use it. We got ours in 2012, and the younger two were under 16 at the time. We just used regular birth certificates then.

But you also need proof of parentage, which the long form provides, or a certified copy of birth registration will also work.

This has definitely changed since I got my kids passports two years ago.

 

[BijouBabe]

I got my DS's his 3 years ago and had to have the long form in order to get his passport.

 

[rjan67]

You can request and pay for it online and have it within 1 week. It didn't take that long when I had to do my ds's last year.

 

[Bertie9396]

Do you need the long form if you are renewing your child's passport? I have lots of time...DD's doesn't expire until November but mine expires at the end of June so I wanted to get both of them done at the same time.

 

[MamaLema]

You can request and pay for it online and have it within 1 week. It didn't take that long when I had to do my ds's last year.

Thank you...just finished doing it online...easy and fast. They also guarantee it coming in 15 business days.

 

[MamaLema]

Do you need the long form if you are renewing your child's passport? I have lots of time...DD's doesn't expire until November but mine expires at the end of June so I wanted to get both of them done at the same time.

Yes, because you can't renew children's passports like the adult one. They say too much can change in a child's life, custody, etc.

 

[formill]

Yes, because you can't renew children's passports like the adult one. They say too much can change in a child's life, custody, etc.

Not true- renewal passports for children do not require long form birth cerficate- did my 10 year olds last year-did not get long form- have same parents same applicants as first passport.

http://www.ppt.gc.ca/info/16-.aspx?lang=eng#parent

"Exception: A proof of parentage document is not required with an application only if a Canadian passport or travel document has previously been issued to the child and it is the same parent(s)/legal guardian(s) who applied for the previous passport or travel document participating in the new application process. All other documentation is still required, including proof of citizenship (however, in this case a short-form or wallet-sized birth certificate that doesn't indicate the name(s) of the parent(s) is acceptable)."

 

[podgirl]

Not true- renewal passports for children do not require long form birth cerficate- did my 10 year olds last year-did not get long form- have same parents same applicants as first passport. http://www.ppt.gc.ca/info/16-.aspx?lang=eng#parent "Exception: A proof of parentage document is not required with an application only if a Canadian passport or travel document has previously been issued to the child and it is the same parent(s)/legal guardian(s) who applied for the previous passport or travel document participating in the new application process. All other documentation is still required, including proof of citizenship (however, in this case a short-form or wallet-sized birth certificate that doesn't indicate the name(s) of the parent(s) is acceptable)."

Agreed. I had to call the passport office to ask a couple of questions today regarding passport renewal, and the lady said the wallet sized birth certificate would be fine. It's all rather confusing!

 

[iluveeyore]

Need some clarification - I thought children under 16 didn't need a passport to travel in the US??

 

[Aladora]

Need some clarification - I thought children under 16 didn't need a passport to travel in the US??

Everything I can find says that everyone needs a passport when traveling to the USA.

Frequently asked questions
Question

Do children need their own passport to travel?
Answer

Yes; all children who travel (alone or with an adult) need their own passport. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has recommended a policy requiring every individual who travels by air to have his or her own travel document. This policy has been put in place to combat the traffic of millions of children around the world who are often sold into slavery, child prostitution or worse. It increases the protection of children by ensuring that they have a valid travel document with a photo and other identifying information.

Travelling to the United States

All travellers, including US and Canadian citizens, must present a valid passport or other approved secure document when entering the United States.

Both from the Passport Canada website.

 

[iluveeyore]

Passport Canada states for children "valid passport or other approved document and from US Immigration website: " Children: Canadian citizens 15 years old and younger arriving by land or sea from contiguous territory may present an original or copy of his or her birth certificate or a Canadian Citizenship Card. Canadian Citizens 16 and older must have a valid passport, unless traveling as part of an organized group described below."

Thanks for all your responses, but I found out it is legal for a child to cross the US border from Canada if they are under 16 and have a birth certificate. So I can take my 8-month-old grandson shopping with me next week!

 

[BijouBabe]

Passport Canada states for children "valid passport or other approved document and from US Immigration website: " Children: Canadian citizens 15 years old and younger arriving by land or sea from contiguous territory may present an original or copy of his or her birth certificate or a Canadian Citizenship Card. Canadian Citizens 16 and older must have a valid passport, unless traveling as part of an organized group described below." Thanks for all your responses, but I found out it is legal for a child to cross the US border from Canada if they are under 16 and have a birth certificate. So I can take my 8-month-old grandson shopping with me next week!

Is a parent going shopping as well? If it's just you and the baby you need a notarized letter with permission from the parent(s).

 

[iluveeyore]

Is a parent going shopping as well? If it's just you and the baby you need a notarized letter with permission from the parent(s).

Thanks for the heads up, but yes, his mommy is coming too!

 

[BijouBabe]

Awesome! Have a great time shopping!