Passport question

[KatieA]

We live in Michigan and would like to visit Niagara Falls next summer. What type of id do we need to get. Neither my husband or I have a passport and we have two kids 12 and 14. What type of id do we need to take them into Canada. Our 14 yr old has autism and is mentally handicapped and nonverbal but he loves going on vacation. Will I have any problems getting a passport for him?

 

[kaytieeldr]

Google "passport". It's likely you'll be able to get by with passport cards - cheaper than the passport book. If you can get the applications in by Monday, you'll save money; prices go up Tuesday . The price for the passport books increases $35; I'm not sure on the card.

Of course, if you're sure you won't cross over to the Canadian side at all, you don't need passports. Going to Canada isn't the problem - being allowed back into the United States will be.

 

[merryweather20]

In addition to what the above poster said. The children will need to take both the passport and the birth certificate with them (it lists you as parents, so they know you have the authority to take them with you). You and your husband just need your passport.

 

[onelilspark]

Passport Card should be okay, but it might be easier to just get them passports if you in the next 5 years want to take them on vacation out of the country.

 

[Gigi22]

You should look at the websites for the Dept. of Homeland Security, or the Canada Border Agency (I think). You will need for each adult in your party, one of the following: a passport; a passport card; an enhanced driver's llcense or Nexus card. You will need, for each child under 16: proof of citizenship--usually a birth certificate.

 

[MosMom]

We just got back from driving to Canada/US. Children under 16 only need a birth certificate. Over 16 needs a passport or pass card. Pass card is much cheaper.

Of course, this only applies to DRIVING/SEA arrivals. The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative covers driving rules and that is completely different from flying. ALL passengers need a passport book to fly.

http://www.getyouhome.gov gives you all the info you need.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Thanks for the link, MosMom! I - being "frugal" - completed my passport application online; I will get my pictures taken Monday morning and stop at the Post Office to submit my completed application, photos, and of course payment... before the price goes up! And I don't even have any immediate travel plans!

 

[MichelleinMaine]

FYI to the OP- you and your DH will both need to go with the children to get their passports. One parent can't get them.
(And no, there won't be any extra concerns for your son to get a passport. They just want to check your paperwork is all! )

 

[onelilspark]

In addition to what the above poster said. The children will need to take both the passport and the birth certificate with them (it lists you as parents, so they know you have the authority to take them with you). You and your husband just need your passport.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but if all parties involved have the same last name, would a child still need a birth certificate?

 

[Skatermom23]

Thanks for the link, MosMom! I - being "frugal" - completed my passport application online; I will get my pictures taken Monday morning and stop at the Post Office to submit my completed application, photos, and of course payment... before the price goes up! And I don't even have any immediate travel plans!

Make sure you call and see if you need an appointment. I just did mine on Friday and every location but one was doing it by appt only.

 

[golfgal]

Google "passport". It's likely you'll be able to get by with passport cards - cheaper than the passport book. If you can get the applications in by Monday, you'll save money; prices go up Tuesday . The price for the passport books increases $35; I'm not sure on the card.

Of course, if you're sure you won't cross over to the Canadian side at all, you don't need passports. Going to Canada isn't the problem - being allowed back into the United States will be.

One thing about the passport cards is that they are NOT good for air travel. If you are in Canada and get sick, for example, and have to fly home, you won't be allowed to do that. We just renewed DS17's passport and we were going to get him a card since chances are he will be going to Canada (we were going to get him both for the convenience when he goes to Canada) and the Passport person said to not bother with the card.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Make sure you call and see if you need an appointment. I just did mine on Friday and every location but one was doing it by appt only.

Thanks for the tip! I'm going to the post office, and I'm pretty sure they don't take appointments. Can't call until the morning anyway - I "know" there are people working later tonight, but I also know nobody's going to answer the phone until 8 AM!

 

[kimblebee]

FYI to the OP- you and your DH will both need to go with the children to get their passports. One parent can't get them.
(And no, there won't be any extra concerns for your son to get a passport. They just want to check your paperwork is all! )

I guess things must be different up here in Canada. I am a single mom with joint custody of my daughter. When we went to the passport office my ex didn't need to be with us. I did have a letter from him stating that he knew I was applying for the passport and he approved. No one questioned it at all.

 

[bumbershoot]

FYI to the OP- you and your DH will both need to go with the children to get their passports. One parent can't get them.
(And no, there won't be any extra concerns for your son to get a passport. They just want to check your paperwork is all! )

One parent CAN get them, but you have to have supporting documentation. If we couldn't have gone to the PO near Dh's work last week, he would have needed to have what is basically a permission slip to be notarized, and then I would take that in to the PO with everything else and DS. So if he coudln't have gone, he would have been saying, in front of a notary, that he is Robert and he's giving Molly permission to get Eamon a passport.

If a person has custody, they bring in documentation, etc etc. They have almost all contingencies listed, with "what to do" lists, on the website about it, you just have to read down the page far enough.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but if all parties involved have the same last name, would a child still need a birth certificate?

They still need a b.c..

Make sure you call and see if you need an appointment. I just did mine on Friday and every location but one was doing it by appt only.

I don't think that's for normal places. Did you get yours based on a trip you're taking in the next couple weeks? If we were going somewhere in the next 2 weeks, we could have gone to the SEattle passport office (with proof of the flight), WITH an appointment only, and gotten them asap. But we just went to the PO for DS (and I popped my renewal stuff in the mail).

 

[bumbershoot]

We live in Michigan and would like to visit Niagara Falls next summer. What type of id do we need to get. Neither my husband or I have a passport and we have two kids 12 and 14. What type of id do we need to take them into Canada. Our 14 yr old has autism and is mentally handicapped and nonverbal but he loves going on vacation. Will I have any problems getting a passport for him?

And just so you know, the child doesn't have to do anything but be there. Once he's 16, and gets an adult passport (just so you know, that's what will happen in 2 years), it might be different, I'm not sure. But for now he is a child, and DS just stood there while DH and I said an oath (with right hands raised! right there in the post office! it was kinda neat.) that we had filled out the forms truthfully etc etc.

And because it's worth saying again...if you get the applications and payment in *tomorrow*, it will be less expensive than if you wait until Tuesday, because prices are going up.

Forms are generally at the passport offices (we just use the post offices that are on the state dept's passport site), but you can also download them from their site, find out what sort of payment your passport application office takes (our PO just wanted any sort of payment for their administrative fee for DS's, but then there was a check for the pport fee, for instances), get the birth certificates, make sure the adults have their own identification...get on down to the passport place!

 

[cabanafrau]

And just so you know, the child doesn't have to do anything but be there. Once he's 16, and gets an adult passport (just so you know, that's what will happen in 2 years), it might be different, I'm not sure. But for now he is a child, and DS just stood there while DH and I said an oath (with right hands raised! right there in the post office! it was kinda neat.) that we had filled out the forms truthfully etc etc.

And because it's worth saying again...if you get the applications and payment in *tomorrow*, it will be less expensive than if you wait until Tuesday, because prices are going up.

Forms are generally at the passport offices (we just use the post offices that are on the state dept's passport site), but you can also download them from their site, find out what sort of payment your passport application office takes (our PO just wanted any sort of payment for their administrative fee for DS's, but then there was a check for the pport fee, for instances), get the birth certificates, make sure the adults have their own identification...get on down to the passport place!

Our 11 & 15 year olds DID have to raise their hands & make their own statements. I am certain there will be no problem w/ a child who is too young or has disabilities which prevent this.

As far as some of the other comments on the thread -- all children will at least need birth certificates, even if everyone has the same last name.

When traveling from Michigan to Niagara most people do at least go through Canada, otherwise the trip is much, much longer. We just came back on July 3rd through Port Huron/Sarnia. We were thrilled when there were only about five cars in front of us for customs. Of course we and nearly every other vehicle coming through at that time was directed to pull over for interviews -- so much so that there weren't enough parking spots. So much for our quick breeze through on the bridge home -- still 40 min later!