Renewing Children's Passports

[Rita007]

Hope someone can advise...

We are driving to WDW in August. All of us have a valid passport, but I'm concerned about the kids. Its been 2 years since passports were done and all the kids have changed, but especially the baby.

Should I have new passports done for them (I think we can get free renewals for the youngest two) or will we be fine?

Should this be on my "to do" list?

 

[OntFamily]

Have the passports expired? If not, there is no need to get new ones (it's expected that young children will change in appearance, especially babies). As long as they haven't expired, you are OK.

In fact, if you are driving, children under 16 do not require a passport - an original birth certificate will suffice
http://www.getyouhome.gov/html/lang_can/can_sa.html

 

[Grayce]

Hope someone can advise...
Its been 2 years since passports were done and all the kids have changed, but especially the baby.


Should this be on my "to do" list?

You don't need to get new passports but if a child was under 2 when they got their first one you can do new pictures and get a new passport with updated pictures for free (it would still expire when the first passport did but it would provide an updated pic).

 

[calena]

We travel to the US quite a bit and have always had passports for the kids. When you are driving it seems a lot more relaxed crossing the border than flying. Most of the time they don't even look at the children's passports - just worry about the adults. I would not worry about changing the passport. Calena

 

[momtolots]

FYI-Keep in mind that younger children's passports expire in 3yrs, not 5. If they got a passport before they were 3YO, it will only be good for 3yrs.

 

[Kat&Dom]

I would not worry about the babies passport. I got my son's when he was 3 weeks old and used it until it expired when he was 3. He flew at 2 months, 18 months, 2 1/2 years and for his 3rd birthday. I could have gotten the picture updated but I loved his baby picture - never had any issues at all with Customs/Immigration.

 

[Rita007]

Thanks everyone for you input! My two youngest had passports done before the age of 3, but won't expire until July 2011 I'm so relieved to hear that this shouldn't be an issue for our August trip this year!

Happy trip planning to you all!

 

[dancin Disney style]

Thanks for the reminder.....ours expire in June and we need them for a trip in July. Better get on that pretty soon.

 

[B&B Mom]

We have had comments when returning to Canada that the photos were not a good representation of our children. They did not deny our return but did comment that we should update the photo's.
They were 10 and 12 at the time and the photo's were taken when they were 8 and 10. We still had another year before the passports expired! Last year before we went to Florida, I got them renewed early due to the changes another year would make....they grow up too fast!!