When do I need a passport by if driving over the border?

[SandraC]

When do I need a passport by if driving over the border?

I have a wedding in NC in June. S

 

[CanadianGuy]

An official date is still vague.. but the press releases say 'maybe' mid-2008.

Never hurts to have one anyway in my experience. You know sooner or later you'll need 'em, so why not get 'em now?

 

[Csaks]

When we booked our trip, our TA said, and it is on the paper work CAA gives you that it is in affect Jan of '08. Now you know how these things go so I would get one just in case. It's not worth missing the wedding if you can get it now.

 

[angel_bright05]

An official date is still vague.. but the press releases say 'maybe' mid-2008.

Never hurts to have one anyway in my experience. You know sooner or later you'll need 'em, so why not get 'em now?

I'm not the OP but for us....for a family of 5 it's going to cost us what? about $500 for something that's going to expire in 5 (?) years. I would like to hold out and spend that when it's absolutely necessary.

ETA: Read the PP, if it's going to be Jan. 08 then we'll apply soon, but until the official word I'm holding out.

 

[Luv'sTink]

I'm not the OP but for us....for a family of 5 it's going to cost us what? about $500 for something that's going to expire in 5 (?) years. I would like to hold out and spend that when it's absolutely necessary.

ETA: Read the PP, if it's going to be Jan. 08 then we'll apply soon, but until the official word I'm holding out.

I understand about the price, but, you know it does take a while to get them, right? If the date IS early 2008 then there will be another rush to get them and it could take even longer. If you have no plans on visiting the US, then don't sweat it, otherwise, don't complain if you can't get it when you need it.

 

[OntFamily]

The real answer as to when a passport will be necessary for Canadians entering the USA by land or sea is, no one knows for sure. In fact, it may not happen at all based on news reports last week (the USA may accept a new form of drivers license, in which citizenship is encoded).

Legislation in the USA permits the requirement for passports to begin as early as Jan 1/08. However, the effective date has been pushed back to at least summer of 2008. The key word is "at least".

The passport issue keeps getting delayed as it will cause as much problems for Americans, as it will Canadians (many Americans don't have passports either, and they'll have problems getting back into the USA).

 

[angel_bright05]

I understand about the price, but, you know it does take a while to get them, right? If the date IS early 2008 then there will be another rush to get them and it could take even longer. If you have no plans on visiting the US, then don't sweat it, otherwise, don't complain if you can't get it when you need it.

Oh I know it'll take a long time and that there will be a rush. We don't frequent the US too often either so I won't be complaining!

 

[son3disfan]

""I'm not the OP but for us....for a family of 5 it's going to cost us what? about $500 for something that's going to expire in 5 (?) years. I would like to hold out and spend that when it's absolutely necessary. ""



I think I posted this EXACT statement last year at this time!!


But I took the advice of my fellow DISERS and got them.
And guess what! We are going on our first CRUISE!! Never did I think we would ever cruise... and.. well... since we have the passports..!!!

No, really, I felt the same way. It was worth it for us. We go to Florida every year , and travel to Buffalo a couple times as well. It's great identification anyway. I'm glad we did.

 

[tone.def]

FROM THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT SITE
http://cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/whti-ivho/2007-11-09-eng.html

Attention Canadian citizens traveling to the United States by land or water

As of January 31, 2008, if you travel to the U.S. by land or water, a U.S. law will require you to present:

* a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's licence;

AND

* a birth certificate or a citizenship card;

OR

* For youth under 16, a birth certificate;

OR

* A valid passport.

Canadian citizens flying to or through the U.S. must present a valid Canadian passport.

Canadians will also be able to enter the United States by land or water with a NEXUS or Free and Secure Trade (FAST) card.

The Government of Canada will keep Canadians informed as the U.S. makes further changes to its entry requirements.

FROM THE U.S. GOVERNMENT SITE:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html

Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative

AIR TRAVEL

Implemented on January 23, 2007, ALL PERSONS traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean region are required to present a passport or other valid travel document to enter or re-enter the United States.

LAND AND SEA TRAVEL
The following summarizes information available on the Department of Homeland Security’s website.

* JANUARY 31, 2008
U.S. and Canadian citizens will need to present either a WHTI-compliant document, or a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, plus proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate. DHS also proposes to begin alternative procedures for U.S. and Canadian children at that time.

* SUMMER 2008
At a later date, to be determined, the departments will implement the full requirements of the land and sea phase of WHTI. The proposed rules require most U.S. citizens entering the United States at sea or land ports of entry to have either a U.S. passport; a U.S. passport card; a trusted traveler card such as NEXUS, FAST, or SENTRI; a valid Merchant Mariner Document (MMD) when traveling in conjunction with official maritime business; or a valid U.S. Military identification card when traveling on official orders.

The implementation date will be determined based on a number of factors, including the progress of actions undertaken by the Department of Homeland Security to implement the WHTI requirements and the availability of WHTI compliant documents on both sides of the border. DHS and DOS expect the date of full WHTI implementation to be in the summer of 2008. The precise implementation date will be formally announced with at least 60 days notice.

Note: The passport requirement does NOT apply to U.S. citizens traveling to or returning directly from a U.S. territory.

 

[CanadianGuy]

I work literally across the hall from the passport office here in Fredericton.

I saw the nightmare that developed when the air-travel requirements were put in place earlier this year. There was literally a bride, crying at the desk of the passport office that she couldn't go on her booked & paid for honeymoon in four days if her passport wasn't ready.

The office said .. "Sorry, we'll do the best we can, but this has been published information for months.. "

I don't know if she got her passport or not but the point is .. the lines were INSANITY and the waits were something unbelieveable. That was just one of the many stories I heard in that time period. I know some of the folks who work in that passport office. They are very hard working and do the best they can for everyone but there are limits. It's sad to think that the bride didn't have to be so panic'd. If she had just planned ahead.

I got my passport in 2005. SO glad I did. I wasn't going to Europe, I was just figuring the time was coming so why not bite the bullet. For a family of 5 on a budget, you might consider staggering the process to reduce the impact of the cost. (just a thought)

Knox

 

[RoyalCanadian]

The real answer as to when a passport will be necessary for Canadians entering the USA by land or sea is, no one knows for sure. In fact, it may not happen at all based on news reports last week (the USA may accept a new form of drivers license, in which citizenship is encoded).

That same news report also noted that such a form of identification had not yet been developed and would be test run sometime in 2008 in British Columbia.

Ontario Driver's Licenses are known to be a joke in terms of security.