Passport Question - Child

[yosh12]

Hi,

My 13 yr old son will be travelling with us to Disney. We will be driving to Detroit and flying from there. Does he need a Passport. He does not have photo id, he has his birth certificate and a health card (no pic on it yet). I just dont want to get caught at the border with the wrong documentation. My wife and I have our passports.

Thanks....

 

[talicskai]

Hi,

My 13 yr old son will be travelling with us to Disney. We will be driving to Detroit and flying from there. Does he need a Passport. He does not have photo id, he has his birth certificate and a health card (no pic on it yet). I just dont want to get caught at the border with the wrong documentation. My wife and I have our passports.

Thanks....

Technically no BUT I wouldn't take a chance on it when it's only $37 for a child's passport......

 

[yosh12]

Really thats all...will get one thanks.

 

[bankr63]

I would say yes, get one. Although not required for land crossing:

CBSA: Canadian citizens aged 15 years or under are only required to present proof of Canadian citizenship, such as an original or a photocopy of a birth certificate, or an original citizenship card. Canadian citizens 18 years of age or under who are travelling with a school or other organized group, under adult supervision with parental/guardian consent, may also present proof of Canadian citizenship alone.

Imagine if a member of your party has a medical emergency requiring repatriation to Canada. Your child will not be allowed to fly back into Canada without a passport and will be forced to transborder at a land crossing.

I would strongly suggest that holding a valid Canadian passport is the best possible option.

Be safe, and have a great trip.

 

[mtmbyck]

I Was pretty sure teenagers needed photo ID. Nevertheless, I got my kids theirs and it only took 10 days and I was able to sign for them.

 

[DaniB]

We didn't want to take a chance either last year. We got passports for our 6 and 11 year olds. Drove to Buffalo and took the plane to Orlando. I'd much rather pay a bit extra for their passports then be denied our trip.

 

[yosh12]

I agree and am going to get him his passport lol. Gonna go to Whitby and get it done.

 

[sbnorton]

Nexus cards are considered WHTI documents for land border travel and are free for under 18 years. Type in GOES to your preferred search engine and apply.

 

[fitmom3]

We drove to Buffalo with our three children (aged 8, 6 and 5) without passports. The border guard had us open the van door so he could identify the children. He called out the names on the birth certificate and made sure the proper child answered. We had no problems. We are going back in March and will use the birth certificates again.

 

[photofreak]

We are campers that frequently go to the USA on trips, our daughters have passports (family visits to England made them necessary) but our youngest dd brings along a friend once in a while and they don't require passports if they are under 16. Never had a problem as long as they have their birth certificate and a consent letter/details from the parents. They do ask questions to the child but I think thats to verify.. (It also helps were pulling a trailer and saying going camping lol)
As for flying?? I haven't a clue.... sorry

 

[dis_guy]

You know, regardless of whether they are "needed" or not, I'd suggest that everyone needs a passport nowadays. When we got our family's first set, I was amazed at how often we used them, and not just for traveling. We use ours every time we fly whether internationally or domestically and in fact any time a photo ID is required for anything. It's the one form of identification that can't be refuted. Just my opinion.