Passport for infants

[donkthemagicllama]

Two questions,

1. Do infants (under 2) need passports to go from Canada to the US?

2. If so, what do you have the guarantor write in the field of the application that says I have known the person for X number of years? It says they must have known the person for at least 2 years, but in my case, the person is only 7 months old!

 

[cabmom]

Yes, they need a passport. The guarantor puts how long they've known you.

 

[encinc]

Make sure that you're using the child's passport application form. As the pp noted, on the child's form, the guarantor states how long they've known the applicant - and in this case, the applicant is the parent applying on behalf of the child.

 

[angela1044]

We had our doctor sign the form for DD who was about 9 months old at the time.

 

[aanderson5]

FYI When we got DS's passport done they told us that one parent can be the applicant and the other can be the guarantor.

 

[mousy_in_canada]

I phoned the passport office last month and they told me that Children under 16 will not need a passport under the new laws. Do you think this is correct and should I phone back to ask someone else?

 

[abirdd]

I'd phone back, and talk with someone else. The new laws requiring the individual passports is relatively new, and I think it's highly unlikely they will change. The passports for under 16, moreso for those travelling with infants has significantly reduced child smuggling (so I was told by Canada Customs), and while it can be very frustrating to get a photo of your 2 week old with eyes open (did it, just took forever for the little guy to cooperate!) - it's safer for everyone all around.

In terms of the guarantor, parents can now vouch for their children. In our case, I was the applicant for our newborn, and my husband was the guarantor.

 

[ash-n-brensmom]

Passport not needed, birth cert is all that's needed...leaving the continent is a different story...but don't take our word for it...go straight for the experts...look on line for identification requirements by homeland security...it's not canadian customs you need to worry about, it's the american side...btw are you flying into the states or with in the country..that will make a difference for everyone until June...Have an awesome trip!!!

 

[OntFamily]

Passport not needed, birth cert is all that's needed...leaving the continent is a different story...but don't take our word for it...go straight for the experts...look on line for identification requirements by homeland security...it's not canadian customs you need to worry about, it's the american side...btw are you flying into the states or with in the country..that will make a difference for everyone until June...Have an awesome trip!!!

There is a critically important message in this post. If you have questions regarding passport needs, etc, you cannot rely on Canada Customs, or Canadian Passport Offices to give you the exact answer. You must check with the country you will be travelling to. (For example, if you are traveling to the USA, check USA's Homeland Security's website). While Canadian officials may give you the correct answer, they may be wrong (as it's the country you are traveling to that controls your entry).

 

[ferris198]

From Passport Canada
Do children need their own passport to travel?


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.