Passport Required?

[piglets]

Hi Folks

Anyone else hear the report today on the radio about it being necessary to have a passport--even if you just want to go to the U.S.?

I travel to Scotland (so I have a current passport), but I am planning on taking my Mum in April to Disney and she does not have one - has never needed it.

I'll be making a trip to my passport office tomorrow to get the low-down, but did anyone else hear this?


Maureen

having a disney day......

 

[tigercat]

Yes I read it in the paper this morning. I have a passport but it expires in Nov. They also said that you should make sure that you have more than 6 months left on your passport as well because with 6 months or less left you might also be refused. I figure that means I have to renew my passport in June. My dh doesn't have one because he let his lapse. I am hoping that when I do mine in June I'll get him to get his as well. My oldest dd and my oldest dgrdd have one as well but my other dd, her dh and their 2nd dd doesn't have them and were thinking of getting one.
tigercat

 

[bunnyfoo]

Yep. I heard the story several times ... Here's a link to the story.

http://www.pulse24.com/News/Top_Story/20030306-002/page.asp

And here's a link to the Passport Office in case anyone needs to know how they can get a passport...

http://www.ppt.gc.ca/menu_e.asp

 

[sammi]

Yes and I'm so glad I talked my DH into getting ours as we leave in 9 days!!!!!

I ended up sitting 3 different times for a total of 6 hours, at our local passport office (long long story) BUT I go to pick them up next Thursday!

The only think that upsets me is that Britain's passports expire in 10 years (they pay the same fee as Canada) and ours only last 5 years and there is no such thing anymore as renewing passorts as you must start all over with a completely new application.Here's a great tip......if you don't need it right away do everything by mail as the Passport Offices are awful!!!!!!!

I hope all the trouble I've been through will make out trip easier when we go through security and customs.

 

[dennise]

We are leaving on april 9th and don't have pasports, but I got them off the internest. Our only passport office in NS is in Halifax, about an hour away. Hopefully we don't have nay problem getting them. We have never used other than birsth cert and dr licence, but not sure if we should take the chance wihout a pp. I wonder if the lines are long in Halifax? Is there anyone from NS out there?

 

[bunnyfoo]

I'll bet the lines at a passport office are going to be even crazier now that they've made this announcement. The last time I was there (the Toronto office) was before 9/11 ... the wait were minimal as long as you went first thing in the morning.

 

[mom_rules]

No problem at our local office, in and out in 20 mins (4 passports) and picked up exactly one week later.

 

[CJK]

I heard this rumour, but didn't know it was official! We'd better get our passports...........and fast! Thanks for the heads up!

 

[mom_rules]

CJK-just noticed our counters are about 1 hour apart!!!

How are you going?Where are you staying etc.?

 

[CJK]

Wow! I hadn't noticed our counters. Pretty cool. Funny you should ask about our trip because I still don't know what we're doing! LOL I'm pretty sure we're flying down (have taken the time off work). We're actively trying to bid on priceline to get a hotel. If that fails, we'll likely stay at one of the All-Stars. We've got friends down there who we'll be visiting too. What are your plans? Have you gotten a good deal on a hotel? Have you started packing yet? I've actually been making a list of little known Disney facts that I want to make sure we notice on this trip. We're going to hunt for hidden mickey's too which should add another element of fun. Happy planning!

 

[mom_rules]

We are at the BC Apr 30-May 10-(Gold Plan addon) flying AC.

I've started packing little things that we aren't using (like shorts in the -31c weather). I have all my ressies for golf, wakeboarding, waterskiing, parasailing, La Nouba and all PS except for Fulton's done. I'm a true type A personality. LOL
Happy planning to you also.-See you in the world.

 

[piglets]

Ok, I visited the Passport office yesterday during my lunch hour. The good news is--I was told that it was not necessary to run out and try and obtain a passport.

They indicated that if they were going to enforce the passport requirement, they would need to give everyone at least 6 months notice to comply. Yes, it would be easier if everyone had a passport, but a picture i.d. along with a birth certificate should still be sufficient to get me back into Canada.

Now, having said that, am I satisfied with not having one for my mum? I'm not sure yet--I will have to think about it and make up my mind...fast!

Thanks for all your informative posts everyone!

Maureen

 

[dsneygirl]

Originally posted by piglets
Ok, I visited the Passport office yesterday during my lunch hour. The good news is--I was told that it was not necessary to run out and try and obtain a passport.

They indicated that if they were going to enforce the passport requirement, they would need to give everyone at least 6 months notice to comply. Yes, it would be easier if everyone had a passport, but a picture i.d. along with a birth certificate should still be sufficient to get me back into Canada.

This is exactly as I understand it from reading the passport site yesterday. They said you should get on it and get one but if you are travelling in the immediate future you will be fine.

 

[dsneygirl]

Just wanted to let everyone know I went to Buffalo last night for Elton John and Billy Joel (which was amazing btw) and they were asking everyone!!! for photo ID but we had absolutely no problems with our drivers license's.

 

[pkitty]

Just got back from WDW this AM (3:00) had no problems coming or going without a passport.I actually didn't even present any ID whatsoever going through customs in Detriot...my husband was driving and the guy didn't even ask me even though we were travelling with a minor child. Drivers liscence and birth certificate are fine.

 

[mom_rules]

Do you think it may be a little more difficult starting today because of the new International Visa requirements?

 

[MikeJ]

We just returned from a ski vacation in Vermont. Crossing into the US last Sunday the immigration guy (at Highgate Springs, VT) took our passports and glanced through them. We were at the booth maybe 30 seconds. Crossing back at Cornwall, the guy didn't even ask for any ID - we were there 15-20 seconds.

So although they talk about heightened security, particularly crossing into the US, we have found in our experience it's having little to no impact. Although it might be different at the airports.

- Mike

 

[minnie56]

We flew to Miami on March 6th with only Citizenship cards (From England originally) and returned on March 17th with no problems. We cruised on Royal Caribbean and were told by them they are accepting passports having expired up to a maximum of 6 years!!!

I am flying to Houston on April 9th and called the U.S Consulate yesterday to see what is required. Canadian's do not require a passport to enter the United States. Just proof of Citizenship.

 

[CJK]

Just an update........... We received our passports in 6 business days from when we went to the local passport office. I couldn't believe how fast we got them!

 

[Jo-Anne]

I mailed my passport in on Feb 18 and just received it in the mail yesterday (3/27)...just about 5 weeks...not bad.