HELP---Chilld's passport is expired

[rance]

Long story short....we are leaving for disney monday morning flying out of toronto. I just noticed my one daughter's passport expired last month. I forgot that infant passports are only valid 3 years instead of the usual 5 years like the other kids.

I was wondering will US customs let us thru with the expired passport because she is only 3 and I have birth certificate?

Is there a way I could get a passport renewed monday morning immediately?

I know I messed up huge here. Please help!

 

[lizabu]

I'm pretty sure you don't need a passport for a child. It's just something thats nice to have. I would bring it anyways but also have the birth certificate.

 

[Alderbrook]

I'm pretty sure you don't need a passport for a child. It's just something thats nice to have. I would bring it anyways but also have the birth certificate.

I thought that was only if you were driving across?

 

[Alderbrook]

You need a passport if you're flying from Toronto.

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/whti-ivho/child-enfant-eng.html

 

[torontodisneyfan]

Long story short....we are leaving for disney monday morning flying out of toronto. I just noticed my one daughter's passport expired last month. I forgot that infant passports are only valid 3 years instead of the usual 5 years like the other kids.

I was wondering will US customs let us thru with the expired passport because she is only 3 and I have birth certificate?

Is there a way I could get a passport renewed monday morning immediately?

I know I messed up huge here. Please help!

An option may be to go online and check the rules regarding infants entering the U.S...

I know you can pay extra to get one quick if you provide proof you are flying out in the "near future" but I am not sure they can do it same day.

you may want to go online and fill out the application, then bring it to the passport office with your flight info first thing Monday...you never know.

I think it's too risky to head to the airport without one unless you are sure....



good luck!

 

[ccudmore]

According to both the US (http://www.dhs.gov/files/crossingborders/travelers.shtm#2) and Canadian (http://www.ppt.gc.ca/planification/usa.aspx?lang=eng) government web sites children now need passports when entering the US by air. The fastest I've ever seen a passport issued is within 24 hours, but if you've leaving on Monday I think you may be out of luck. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

 

[rance]

Thanks for the responses. I believe I am screwed. I will get passport photos done tomorrow, print off application and wait outside office monday morning. Hopefully can get it done within 24 hours so only miss one day of disney trip.

I really wish i caught that the validity was different for infant passports. my bad I guess.

 

[ccudmore]

Another thought that you may want to look into tonight. Can you cancel your flight from Toronto and drive to Buffalo and fly from there. I'm not sure if you can still drive across the border with a child with only a birth certificate. Also you'd have to look into the options for canceling your flight and the cost of Buffalo flights.

 

[maryliz]

{{HUGS}} and Pixie Dust to you ... so sorry to hear this. Good luck.

 

[Diegosmom]

Not sure what it is like in Canda but I know you can get a passport super quick in US...of course you do have to pay the price for that but there might be a chance and you are only renewing not getting a new one so you might be ok.

 

[alohamom]

Maybe there is a way to get a judge or govmt official to grant some sort of extenuating circumstances document? I would contact the US Homeland Security and ask, or if you went to Pearson today and asked a US officer on site what to do. Does eveyone have to fly Monday, could you and baby catch up like one of the OP mentioned and drive thru Buffalo, fly and meet the rest of your family there?

 

[ejrj]

What time is your flight? Certain passport offices can issue them same day if you pay an express fee. I know Windsor can. Also, they can let you cross at the border with the expired one and PROOF (which they will put in the expired passport) that you are awaiting the new one. I'm not saying they will, just that they can (from personal experience). That said, air travel is tighter. Best of luck!!!

 

[Alderbrook]

You could always cancel your flights, pack up the car & drive down. If you leave today, you'd be there by tomorrow if you drove straight thru?

 

[motherof4]

It made me sick to my stomach reading your post, can't imagine how you are feeling! You only need a birth certificate to drive across the border, so I would think if you wanted to leave tommorrow your best bet would be to cancel Toronto flights and check out driving to buffalo, and flying from there! Good luck with whatever route you choose! Sending your way!

 

[CdnKayDee]

Don't have any words of advice but wanted to let you know we will be thinking of your family and hope that you can resolve this quickly.

 

[Tower]

I'm sorry for you in this situation. I hope you're able to get this settled.

I'm sure several other DISrs have already gone to their safes and verified expiry dates on their own passports, if not, I highly recommend this.

I have all of our passport expiry dates on my computer and the software (MS Outlook) pops up a reminder well ahead of time of timing to renew passports. I think the next people up for renewal are DW and me and we still have 3 years!

 

[DnA2010]

Also phone your MP first thing in the am, sometimes they can help

 

[Daisy-J&D]

I honeslty think your best bet is flying with your DD out of Buffalo. I believe it is children under 5 only need a BC to cross by car. Megabus goes to Buffalo airport.

 

[Alderbrook]

It's actually children under 16 that can cross with only a BC.

 

[fan1080]

I suspect the OP knows the answer by now, but for everyone else:

http://www.ppt.gc.ca/cdn/urgent.aspx?lang=eng&region=Canada

There is an urgent 24 hour passport pickup - $70 extra fee.