Passports for kids?

[lfw]

A co-worker was told recently that all children entering the U.S from Canada have to have their own passport ( previously, children under a certain age were put on one of their parents' passports).He is in the process of getting a passport for his 2 year old now, n preparation for a trip in the next few weeks. My family and I are planning our first trip to Disney next spring, and my husband is the only one of us with a passport. We will be flying down as part of a charter group (Go Travel Direct), have any of you had trouble with ID while flying? Will I have to arrange passports for all of us, or will birth certificates/ Ont health cards be ok for the kids and I( and my Drivers' Lic)?Thaks for your help!

 

[SandraC]

I talked to Air Canada three time recently about this and they said kids do not need passports to get into the States. They don't even need picture ID. My only picture ID is my drivers licence with my maiden name on it. My airline ticket is in my married name (been married 11 years) I carry around the card version of my marriage licence and my legal change of name card and Air Canada said that is okay too. Sandra

 

[sammi]

Welcome to the DIS lfw!

Here's a link to a thread I posted regarding what documents you need to cross into the US from Canada. I actually emailed the Canadian Consular Affairs Bureau and the info is on this link! Hope this helps you and have a wonderful time in WDW! We also will be going spring next year...what dates have you set?

http://198.65.131.237/showthread.php?s=&threadid=177730

 

[lfw]

Sammi & SandraC thanks for your info! We are tentatively planning our trip for the last week of Feb. We are travelling with 2 other families, and decided to take all the kids out of school for a week, rather than brave the crowds (and higher prices!) during March break. We wanted to go at a time when the weather should be warm enough for the pools and waterparks as well. None of us have ever been to Disney, so this is a huge deal, and I have been unofficially tasked to get the best deal, which seems to be through GoTravel Direct. Based on this year's rates a family of four can get return airfare, rental car and accomodations at Amerisuites Lake Buena Vista, for $2600 cdn, tax and all. I was happy to find this board because I've been reading some really good reviews about the Calypso Cays resorts, which makes me feel like we are making a good choice, and the free breakfast every day will certainly make our trip less expensive. Left to my own devices I might choose a different hotel or even try a timeshare, but I won't chance it this trip.

 

[marty3d]

I think the confusion stems from the fact that children can no longer be added to their parents passports as of Jan 2002. This is to bring Canadian passports in line with international standards. This does not invalidate existing passports - and if your kids on currently on your passport - it's ok until the pasport expires.

This also doesn't change the rules for US entry - Canadaian citizens do not require a passport to enter the US (though it is recommended). Proof of citizenship and picture ID for adults. Proof of citizenship for kids (no photo ID needed for kids under 16).

One important thing that I've been told by US customs - Birth Certificates of Children under 16 must be include the names of both parents - and if the child is not travelling with both parents, a letter from the other parent is required. My son's birth certificate doesn't have our names on it and they gave us a hard time at US Customs - though they did let us in.

 

[maryliz]

I knew about the change with respect to not being able to add your child to your existing passport. My kids' birth certificates do not have either mine or my dh names on it -- just their own. Their Ontario health card does have their address on it, which of course matches our drivers licenses. I'm now wondering if I should spend the money to get passports for the kids. We are driving so I feel quite comfortable with only having drivers licences and birth certificates for us. Passports are so expensive now, and let's face it, WDW is the only place we ever travel to !