Passport not always enough...

[Toad]

Just in case anyone has ever had this concern.......I have always advocated that if you have a current passport, that is enough ID to travel. Well, yesterday at the Orlando airport, I was asked for an additional piece of photo ID along with my passport. I gave them my drivers license and the clerk compared the two pictures very closely. I didn't mind at all, but there goes my Passport-is-enough theory.

 

[CindyAnn]

I'm with you there, Toad. In fact, a passport is normally more than enough for a visit to the U.S. I think I'll be picking up a new one for myself and the children, but I won't forget that additional photo I.D. either.

 

[taquiner]

Was there any mention of what would have happened if you had not had another piece of Photo ID? I don't drive so my passport is the only photo ID that I have.

Regards,
taquiner

 

[Toad]

Sorry, I am not so sure about that. I did see some people with their wallets spread out on the counter so I guess they may have been accepting other forms of ID but just wanted to see what else they had. If you have a photo ID from your workplace, at least it is something with your picture. Or perhaps your birth certificate?

I might add, that this was random. I noticed that they did not check everyone. They checked mine, but not my sister.

 

[sammi]

Since I don't drive either I used my new Health card with the photo on it and there wasn't any problem with it.

 

[from Canada]

Im thinking of gettng a passport for our Feb trip. DH alraeady has one due to travel thru work. My question is this....do I get a passport for each of my three children, or do they go on mine? And would they need pictures?
TIA

 

[taquiner]

I'm going to get a new health card (still have the old one with no picture) just in case they ask. I don't want a lack of ID throwing a wrench into our vacation plans! Thanks for the info Toad!

 

[Toad]

No problem.

I would also suggest people check with their airline to find out what is acceptable to carry-on and what should be checked. We were amazed that many people in our line were attempting to carry-on large wheeled suitcases, suit-bags, and additional carry-on luggage over their limit. And they were arguing with the check-in staff about it. Haven't these people been watching the news? Even things like tweezers could not be in your carry-on or purse.

At Orlando, they were also doing random checks of large suitcases. We saw two passengers pulled out of line and they had to take their bags to a screened off area to be checked more thoroughly.

 

[taquiner]

I hear ya there Toad. The only thing I will be carrying-on is my purse....and only with essentials in it at that. Cleaned it out on Sunday when I went to the leafs game anyway so it's all ready! lol They did ask me to open it at the ACC but they didn't search through it.

 

[mickey65]

Tanquiner..not sure if you know, but it is illegal to use your health card as ID. When I went to have a police check done for a job and I tried to use my helath card as a form of ID, the police officer told me that health cards can not be used for that purpose and it is illegal for anyone to accept them as ID....this was sure news to me!

 

[taquiner]

Mickey....I did not know it was illegal. I do know that a health card is not an official piece of ID and can't be used as such though. That's why I have my passport as my "official ID". Getting the picture health card was just an idea for a back-up picture comparison if they ask. Without having a license I am a little limited as to what other forms of ID I have available.

Thanks for the info though. I'm sure lot pf people don't know health cards can't be used as ID. Which in itself is a little bizarre considering we have them to protect the health care system! Go figure. lol

32 days and counting!!

 

[from Canada]

Im not positive, but pretty sure that they stopped the photos on health cards a while ago.

 

[Taddy]

Neither my husband or I had a passport with us on our recent honeymoon, we flew home on Sept 15 and in Orlando they only asked for 2 pieces of ID, I gave my driver's liscense and my Birth Certificate.....no problems...my husband gave his drivers and his citizenship card(he was born in the Phillipines but has been a citizen for 20 years) and it has a picture o fhim when he was 5 on it..ha ha. The lady at teh Northwest counter said he was a cute kid and we were on our way......

 

[Dumbo5]

from Canada,
You have a choice of putting your children on your passport or they can each get their own.

The procedure is the same for both. You fill out separate application forms for each of them.

When you get the application forms this all explained.

My sister and I already have passports but are in the process of getting ones for our children to go to WDW in December.

In April of 2000 when we went a photo ID of our children(obtained fron the Motor Vehicle Registry office) made it a lot easier to go through customs.

But with the recent events we will all have passports.

Didn't think of taking picture IDs also but will do that also.

We also photocopy all credit cards and any other IDs we have with us before we go and pack them in a separate place.

We are getting separate IDs for our children because they are all teens and will soon want their own passports anyway.

But for younger children I'd probably get them put on mine- less to take care of.