Flying and ID requirements?

[Echie]

I can't seem to find any current infomation and am hoping that someone can just clarify for me.

Right now (I know June 1 2009 the rules change), can I drive down to the states, cross the board with my driver's license and birth certificate, and then fly from one US state to another with just showing my driver's license and birth certificate? Or do I need a passport to fly?

TIA!! I really appreciate it! I'm trying to get some of my family members to join us on our trip but they don't have passports!

 

[Mike2023]

As of right now you do not need a passport to drive over the boarder. You will be fine without one as long as your back by june 1st.

 

[Echie]

As of right now you do not need a passport to drive over the boarder. You will be fine without one as long as your back by june 1st.

Right, I knew that, but what I'm not really sure of is then what ID would be needed to fly within the states?

Thank you for taking the time to reply though

 

[Echie]

Noone knows whether as a Canadian citizen I could fly from one US state to another just with my driver's license and birth certificate (after having crossed the boarder by car)?

 

[tribus121]

All that a Canadian needs to fly within the US is government issued photo ID

and until June you need photo id and your Birth cert to enter the US by car

 

[Echie]

Right, I knew that, but what I'm not really sure of is then what ID would be needed to fly within the states?

Thank you for taking the time to reply though

All that a Canadian needs to fly within the US is government issued photo ID

and until June you need photo id and your Birth cert to enter the US by car

Perfect! Thank you so much!

 

[mtmbyck]

Ok, so I have done this many times and you will be disgusted to know that when you fly US to US, you don't have to show anything! Keep in mind, US citizens do not all have government issued photo ID (photo DLs or Health Cards) so when I was there in the fall, I was absolutely floored to see that you board a plane with your boarding pass - nothing else is asked or required!

To cross a boarder by land you need a government issued photo ID.

But I can't believe they let everyone on the plane with a boarding pass......nothing else.

 

[Bubbie]

You need a photo id & birth certificate( just birth certificates for children) to drive across the boarder. You need a passport for all adults and children to fly from state to state.
We crossed the Detroit boarder and flew out of Metro airport to Orlando last February.

 

[Echie]

You need a photo id & birth certificate( just birth certificates for children) to drive across the boarder. You need a passport for all adults and children to fly from state to state.
We crossed the Detroit boarder and flew out of Metro airport to Orlando last February.

What? You DO need a passport to fly from one state to another???

Now I am super confused! Some people are saying you don't need a passport to fly from one state to another, others are saying you do... Yikes! Now I don't know what's the truth

 

[baker462]

I was going to do the same thing earlier this year, so just to be safe, i called my airline i was flying direct and asked them.

They told me that it was ok to do (on their airline), aslong as i had proper photo ID. but they also said to call the Department of Homeland Security just to make sure.

So I called the Dep of home land security, and they told me that it is technically "ok" to do. But, that it ultimatly depends on which agent you see at the airport. If you get a homeland security agent that woke up on the wrong side of the bed that morning.. it would really ruin your trip if he didnt allow access...

so to sum it up... No you do not need a passport, but if you get a nasty Homeland security guy.. he can deny you without one.. Be safe, not sorry.. get a passport!

Hope this helps!


Baker

 

[dis_guy]

I agree with the PP. Yes, it's a bit of an expense and hassle but passports make life so much easier. I really recommend passports when travelling anywhere. I even use mine for ID within Canada as do many others.

 

[Bubbie]

Every year we fly from Detroit to Orlando and last year we flew Southwest and were asked by the airline and Homeland security for our passports. Then Homeland security grilled our kids on their names,ages and addresses while looking at their passports.

 

[greenclan67]

Hi, Last January we flew from Buffalo to Orlando and back! We are doing the same thing this year! I would have loved to get my passports, but my husband would like to wait til the very last minute, because you have to renew them every 5 years. Believe me, we have a screaming match about this about every 2 weeks, cause I get nervous.
Anyhow, I have to say, last year crossing at Buffalo from Canada with my kids, was absolutly no problem. I don't have a drivers lisc. so all I had was a photo health card, my birth certificate, and I also brought my marriage lisc. (for the sake of name change to married name) They were very east to get along with, never questioned it at all. Asked if we were going for business or pleasure, and sent us on our way! Same as security at the airport. We breezed through there as well.
The only problem I had at all, was going through security at the MCO airport. Being that I didn't have a drivers lisc, they made me go through a seperate line at the airport security, and doubled checked everything. It wasn't really a big deal. So if I have any trouble this year, I will shoot my hubby!

 

[Ham Ham]

Currently Canadian do not require a passport when entering the US by land or sea until June 1, 2009

Canadians do need a passport if flying into the US.

Canadians flying within the US need picture ID and a birth certificate will help.

More info here.
http://www.voyage.gc.ca/countries_pays/issues_enjeux/article-eng.asp?id=852

Above are the are the current requirements.

Then there are the people on the front lines who enforce it.

CBP, TSA and airline staff in the states may not but up to date on what acceptable forms of identification requirements are.

Having a Passport even though it is not required is the best form of ID to have when traveling internationally.

Folks get a passport.

 

[Disneyof3]

We also fly out of Buffalo and we drive across first and have had no problems flying out of Buffalo and Rochester airport. I bring birth certificates, health cards and DL. We also plan on doing it this March the same way. After June 2009 then we will have to get the passports even to just shop in Buffalo.

 

[Echie]

Awesome! Thank you everyone for your responses and sharing your experiences! I really appreciate it!

I have a passport and am a big fan of having one
I'm trying to see if I can get some of my family to come with us this weekend so there's no time for them to get passports still, nor do I think they are interested in doing so at this point in time...
Anyway at least I know that it can be done, so I'll invite them along! Thanks again everyone!