Do you need a passport?

[elismom]

I have a passport and so does my ds who is 10.
He has a different last name then mine so it makes it easier to travel.
My ds who is 19 is going to disney this christmas with us.
She has no drivers license.
Can she use her birth cert. and her photo health card?
Or should she just get a passport?

 

[hockey mom]

We just got back and the only thing we were asked for was a "photo I.D." We used our drivers lisc. because we do not even own passports.

 

[tmli]

I believe I read the photo health card is not accepted as ID. My mom does not have a license and when we researched we discovered her only option was a passport. I don't have the link but I remember there is a website with alot of info on it regarding this.

 

[mbb]

It would always be a good idea for any Canadian citizen traveling to have a passport.

Personally, wouldn't travel without it...jmho

 

[dsneygirl]

We just got back from Hawaii. Flew Buffalo-LA-Maui. Only once were we asked for a passport, we replied we only had our birth certificates and drivers licenses. No problem.

 

[riu girl]

I spoke to the passport office some time ago and was told that my DD7 and DS4 really should have passports since they have no government issued photo I.D. (they have birth certificates, wallet size not long form, as well as S.I.N. cards). So we applied for those. Honest, I mailed the applications and the actual passports were at the post office one week later. Don't ask me how this happened (I sent them express post and the clerk at the post said that the applications would be at the passport office within one day). The passports were also mailed back to me by express post.

The passport office informed me that passports are not required for DH and myself. We have Canadian birth certificates and drivers licenses.

IMHO, I am reconsidering getting DH and I passports since : what if world events go sour prior to my holiday and the US govenment changes their entry requirements overnight.

Any thoughts??

Suzy V.

 

[Amberle3]

I always recommend travelling with a passport. It makes life a lot easier, and it's a pain in the butt to replace your birth certificate.

I even use my passport just when flying in Canada.

I'd also recommend getting passports as soon as you're ready to. Yes the US can decide at any point to require passports, and you know that as soon as they do that the lines at the passport office will be insane.

We had been warned that they would likely be changing their requirements in October, but so far haven't seen any sign of that. They did change their requirements for some other countries though.

Also, passports open you up for travelling to other places. You'll be ready if a great deal to some place like Cuba comes up!

 

[lilsonicfan]

I've never had a passport and probably won't get one until next year - and only b/c we might go to the Bahamas as part of the honeymoon. I actually don't think it's always worth the expense. I never go outside of the States.

In BC, people w/o driver's licences can get BC ID cards - I'm wondering why your daughter doesn't have one of those? I've seen friends use them to get into clubs and stuff when they're 19 but don't have a DL. I'd ask at Customs, but if she doesn't have a DL or some sort of ID card, I guess a passport would do.

As for Suzy V, who suggested entry requirements could change overnight - I'm quite sure that wouldn't happen. All government action takes a while to implement.

 

[hockey mom]

Just to clarify last week at the airport the woman only asked for picture I.D. "for those over the age of 18".

 

[Tantor]

Originally posted by Amberle3
I always recommend travelling with a passport. It makes life a lot easier, and it's a pain in the butt to replace your birth certificate.

I even use my passport just when flying in Canada.

I'd also recommend getting passports as soon as you're ready to. Yes the US can decide at any point to require passports, and you know that as soon as they do that the lines at the passport office will be insane.

Totally agree with this. I'd rather be safe then sorry. And sometimes it depends who you get at Customs (hubby travels all the time and agrees with this) With a passport no questions asked.

 

[riu girl]

In last thread, it was mentioned that with a passport "no questions asked". If you don't have a passport and are driving, can anyone tell me what sort of questions DH and I will be asked? Sorry, but haven't crossed the border (driving) in over a decade and not quite sure what to expect. As mentioned before, the children will have passports but not DH or myself.

Any info. would be greatly appreciated.

Suzy V.

 

[hockey mom]

At the border they will not even know whether you own a pssport or not because they don't ask for it. Here's is what they always ask us-
1) Citizenship
2)where you from
3)where you going
4) have fun.

 

[MamaLema]

but our kids don't. We take only their birth certificates and have never had a problem.

 

[cabmom]

My husband and I went over on Saturday thru the Lewiston/Queenston bridge. We were asked on the American side for our ID, he looked at it(last time they input our information into the system). He asked us where we were going, how long for and what were we going to do. He also asked us where we lived where we were born, and asked where that was. I told him in proximity from Toronto!
Coming home, he asked us, how long were we gone for, how much did we spend, did we meet up with anyone, where we lived? We had no problems.
I have to say, I really enjoy the shopping around Boulevard Mall!

Marilynn

 

[dsneygirl]

Originally posted by Tantor
With a passport no questions asked.

I hate to disagree with you but this really isn't true. Sure there may be no questions as to your citizenship but they will still ask you where you're going, how long you intend to be there etc...

A passport is not a free pass into the US. Just so folks who do use a passport are not suprised.

 

[jenn_loves_disney]

Hi I'm new but just wanted to post a reply to lilsonicfan in regards to pic i.d.. I too do not have a diver's license or a learners, so in place in Alberta you are also able to get these i.d.'s.