Passport Q.....

[BitsnBearsMom]

Dh and I just can't decide about this passport thing..... we have the forms all filled out and are just waiting on my birth certificate (it had better hurry... I did expidite it!!!) I know we don't really NEED passports to go to the US but I'm not sure I want to take any chances on crossing and NOT having them (had a bad dream that I lost both boys birth certificates and didn't realize till we were AT the airport!!)

Do you have them?? Is it worth getting them??

I guess subconsciously my plan is that we will be going on a cruise somewhere (perhaps the Dis one!!lol) anyway in 2006 (my plan.... still have to fill dh in!!lol) so we should get them anyway....... not sure what to do!!

 

[Hockeychic]

I thought about it also but we cross the border alot for hockey tourney's and have never had a problem, actually I can only remember 1 time where they asked even to see the drivers ID and that was a kid that was being trainned. However you are right who knows what might happen down the road and since they take so long to get It doesn't hurt to have them.

 

[Susan--Ontario]

I would most definetly get them if you can. It is a small price to pay for peace of mind. They're good for five years. I'm concerned that one day the US will require passports for entry. Can you imagine the backlog there will be then. Ours don't expire until next May but I will be renewing them when we return from our trip in November because I am nervous about there being a backlog.

The last three times we've crossed they've asked for ID and when we hand them our passports they seem relieved. A quick glance and we're on our way.

Also, we keep our birth certificates in the safety deposit box at the bank now. I don't want to have to go through the wait at that office if I ever lost my birth certificate.

I say go for it if you can afford the up front expense.

 

[maryann4086]

Yes, we fly out of Buffalo and the last two years while crossing the border at 5am, all members were asked for ID, including my two daughters(teens). So, yes birth certificates or drivers licenses might have worked, but we find it much easier just to show the passport. I hate my picture on it, but hey, I'm not the one looking at it haha.

 

[LisaSt]

We have them for us all now especially with planning a cruise it is well worth the time and money to ge them fewer hassles this way. I have heard to many stories about people being turned away at the border and so on to want to risk it.

 

[cdnmickeylover]

We have them and it seems to make the border crossing quicker. I would say definitely get them even though you don't "need" them.

 

[Amberle3]

The information we're getting is that at some as yet undetermined point next year the US will require passports from Canadians.

I would definitely get them early.

As already mentioned they are good for 5 years. They cost $85, which works out to $1.42 per MONTH. That's less than a coffee. Make sure you have your guarantor's signature on both the form and the picture. And read over the guidelines for pictures, they are very strict on those especially now that they digitize the pictures and print them directly into the passport.

And don't have that nice "I'm going on vacation" smile in the picture - they want to see you as you'll look crossing the border. You know, that "I've been in transit for 10 hours with a screaming infant behind me and her 5 year old brother kicking the back of my seat" look.

I had mine "renewed" in February (we don't technically have a renewal process, you have to get a new one each time. They're working on the renewal idea). It was very quick, I got there I'd guess early afternoon and was in and out within 45 minutes. There can be a tremendously long wait, especially close to holidays and if they announce the effective date for the US requiring passports, I'd guess more than 3 hours wait.

In Feb I saw several people being sent away because the forms were incomplete, they didn't have the guarantor's signature or the photos were incorrect. Some had snapshots taken by friends or from the mall photo machines. For anyone considering a passport, a passport photo is about $5. They even take them at Costco. If you're a CAA member I think they're supposed to take them for free. The photos get a stamp on the back, and believe me the passport people will know if you show them a picture that isn't a passport photo.

Wait time to receive your passport is about 10 business days.

 

[lisaes]

After debating the same question myself for a looong time, I sent out our applications just this morning. I guess it is better to be safe than sorry. We have just 1 hr. between connections and with DS4 and DM with us, we don't need to be held up any longer than necessary!

 

[maryliz]

We don't have them, and have never had a problem. However after reading the posts here, and remembering that had we NOT advanced our travel dates by 2 measly days back in 2001, we would have been somewhere in Kentucky heading north on 9/11 and would have been thrown into "border h**l". At least with a passport, the chances of being allowed back into this country if such an event were ever to occur again will be better than someone who doesn't have the proper documentation.

I do look at the cost for the 4 of us, and it's quite a lot of $$$ to put out up front. Now if they offered that monthly payment plan ... Anyone know if they take Visa ???

Mary Liz

 

[tmli]

After reading this thread I too have reconsidered. I will be getting a passport for my ds and myself. Especially because I travel alone with him as my dh doesn't travel. I also will still carry the consent letter, to reassure those at the border I in fact do have permission to travel alone with my ds.

I believe it is only a matter of time before the US declares all visitors require a passport, imagine the back log then!

BTW, they do take Visa!!