Passports for kids?

[lizabu]

This will be my kids first trip to Disneyworld. I'm divorced from their father so I understand I will probably need a notarized consent letter. I was also told I should have the long form birth certificate because my last name is different than 3 of them. Do children also need a passport? Have I missed anything I need?

 

[hockey mom]

As a mother with kids from my first marriage I can tell you that in my 20 trips to Disney I have never had a letter from my ex nor have I ever been asked why the difference in names.

I would get a passport for your children though.

 

[Kat&Dom]

This will be my kids first trip to Disneyworld. I'm divorced from their father so I understand I will probably need a notarized consent letter. I was also told I should have the long form birth certificate because my last name is different than 3 of them. Do children also need a passport? Have I missed anything I need?

I am divorced too but with sole custody of my son. I have been asked about 50% of the time coming back into Canada to show consent so I would definitely recommend having letter of consent - it should be witnessed but it doesn't have to be notarized. You need the long form birth certificate in order to get the passports. The children's father should also sign the passport application. I hope you have a wonderful trip.

 

[sjsjbrook]

Passports make life easier when crossing the boarder than you do not need to bring the long form and short form of the birth certificates.

I have never been asked for a letter for my daughter, but I always carry it and my separation agreement.

My Ex got into the states with our dd, but on a stop over he was asked for the letter before they would let her on the plane, fortunately he had one (he has a different last name then her as well).

I firmly believe you are never over prepared to get these documents, even if you don't have to show them, you have them.

 

[Hemlock]

I copied this from the Passport Canada website.


Do children require their own passport to travel?

Yes; all children who travel (alone or with an adult) need their own passport. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has recommended a policy requiring every individual who travels by air to have his or her own travel document. This policy has been put in place to combat the traffic of millions of children around the world who are often sold into slavery, child prostitution or worse. It increases the protection of children by ensuring that they have a valid travel document with a photo and other identifying information.

Whether travelling alone or accompanied by an adult, each child (regardless of the age) travelling abroad must have a valid passport and may also require supporting documentation.

The following documents may be required to support the entry of a child to another country :

* Birth certificates showing the names of both parents.
* Any legal documents pertaining to custody.
* A parental consent letter:
1. If the child is travelling with one parent, the consent letter authorizing travel must be signed and dated by the other parent.
2. If the child is travelling alone or without either parent, the consent letter authorizing travel must be signed and dated by both parents.

 

[mbb]

From AC....

Travel documents for children

Prior to any travel that includes a child, parents should contact the embassy or consulate of all the countries the child will be visiting to enquire about entry and exit requirements.

Although some countries still allow for a child to travel on his parent's passport, Canada requires that all passengers, including children, carry their own passport when travelling by air to another country.

In addition, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has recommended a policy requiring every individual, including a child, who travels by air to have his or her own travel document.

The following documents may also be required for any travel that includes a child, both within Canada and abroad:

* Birth certificates showing the names of both parents.
* Any legal documents pertaining to custody.
* A parental consent letter authorizing travel (if the child is travelling with one parent, the letter must be signed and dated by the other parent; if the child is travelling without his parents, the letter must be signed and dated by both parents.)
* A death certificate if one of the parents is deceased.
________________________________________-

$37 for children ages 3-15
$22 for under 3

Peace of mind while traveling....priceless


The getting out of the country is not the biggest issue...it's the getting back "in" that could pose the larger problem.

What happens if the BC is lost, damaged, etc...while you're away?
A passport is easily replaced (as long as you have left a copy at home with someone, and carry a copy with you while traveling)
A BC is tougher to get, esp while you're out of the country.

Hope this helps!

 

[lizabu]

Thanks everyone. Better to have all my ducks in a row rather than risk ruining our vacation.

 

[formill]

"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, when entering the United States by land or water. 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."

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/whti-ivho/child-enfant-eng.html

It is my understanding kids 15 and under do not need passports to cross into the US by land or water..but you do if flying from Canada to the US. We always cross by land into Buffalo and fly from there. We did however get passports for the kids so it would leave our options open if there ever was a good deal flying from Canada......hasn't happened yet! I did not know until last year when my nephew played basketball in the states that even though he was 18 since it was school trip he did not need a passport to cross by land. I have read that many people on this board don't show ID for their kids when going through security at the airport- we have always- I guess we have always had it ready- but they have every time gone through each passport and looked at the kids and compared the photos to them. Coming home Buffalo/Fort Erie or Port Huron/Sarnia we have never been asked for a consent letter but going across we have when had son's girfriend but only once- the other times no questions asked. My sister and I had letters from our husbands when we took the kids ourselves one trip and they never asked for the letters so we did not offer them.

 

[lizabu]

Thank you. That make sense why I had been hearing different things. Many people I know drive to the states and fly from there.

 

[JustTJ]

Here in Ontario, we did not need long form Birth Certificates to get passports for either us or our children. We used the wallet sized ones and they were sufficient.

 

[xipetotec]

This will be my kids first trip to Disneyworld. I'm divorced from their father so I understand I will probably need a notarized consent letter. I was also told I should have the long form birth certificate because my last name is different than 3 of them. Do children also need a passport? Have I missed anything I need?

I believe even when driving accross you need passports now, if you are flying, FOR SURE you need passports. I can tell you though, even from before it was mandatory, it makes life SO much easier.

 

[Blanche_Neige]

I believe even when driving accross you need passports now, if you are flying, FOR SURE you need passports. I can tell you though, even from before it was mandatory, it makes life SO much easier.

You now need a passport to cross the border (air, land or water).

 

[formill]

You now need a passport to cross the border (air, land or water).

Not from Canada to Us if you are 15 or under or travelling with a school group even if you are 18 - this is by LAND or WATER.......flying from Canada to US (or Canada to anywhere) you require passport regardless of age. If you are an adult passports are required even Land and Water.

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/whti-ivho/ls-tm-eng.html

 

[My 2 princesses]

I highly recommend it and would receommend it being notorized too. I just went on a girls only 4 day trip and though DH and myself are still very much married, I was asked for a letter both ways.

 

[greenclan67]

Not from Canada to Us if you are 15 or under or travelling with a school group even if you are 18 - this is by LAND or WATER.......flying from Canada to US (or Canada to anywhere) you require passport regardless of age. If you are an adult passports are required even Land and Water.

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/whti-ivho/ls-tm-eng.html

Unless the rules have changed, we flew from Buffalo, Ny last year with our 2 girls, that were 8 & 10 at the time, without passports! My hubby and I have passports, but I only used their birth certificates, and we crossed BY LAND at Fort Erie without any problems! We plan to do the exact same thing in 18 days!