Maine's Own Off Topic Thread - Part 4 (Mexico, Hope: new house, ferries)

[Mercator Projection]

What about small children (<5yo) going to/from Canada? Do they need passports or passport cards?

In preparation to go to Denmark a couple of years ago, my wife and I renewed our passports and found that our then-1-year-old needed one as well. What a pain! Its the real deal with a baby picture and it cost the full $85. If we plan to travel abroad again, we'll probably have to shell out for a renewal (child passports are only valid for 5 years) AND get a new one for little sister who has been born in the meantime. Seems like a lot of hassle just to go get some Molson Triple X.

[Elcarim]

Right now, the website for Canadian entry requirements says that children under 16 only need a qualifying parent. I just looked that up myself the other day.

[mollysmiles]

I think kids under 16 need only a picture ID--Maine State ID would work, but I haven't looked this up myself yet....

El, it's not the Canadian ones you need to worry about, it's the gettin' home ones!

[mensaguy]

Molly's right, El. It's easy to get into Canada. It's much harder to get back into the US.

[Elcarim]

Ah, never thought about that!

[Elcarim]

Ok this is what I've found about entry into the US:

Answer

[Casper1212]

The details I gave about passports were requirements for entry into the US. What Canada does is their own business. Mexico doesn't require anything unless you're going beyond a certain distance into the country. For answers about requirements for US citizens, the best source is the WHTI (Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative.) They're the last word on these questions. They also have the latest info about deadlines and how to get what you need.
Kids 15 years of age and under only need a birth certificate. Some states are issuing something called an enhanced driver's license which shows citizenship. CBP is supposed to allow them as entry documents, but some of the guys aren't happy about it because it leaves it up to DMV personel to determine citizenship when they aren't trained in identifying proper documentation.
Best thing to do is just check either the WHTI website or the link El gave you from CBP because this stuff can change from one day to the next.

[mollysmiles]

Originally Posted by Casper1212

...Best thing to do is just check either the WHTI website or the link El gave you from CBP because this stuff can change from one day to the next.

You're so right about that! It's been crazy! And when you come through the guys will sometimes joke and say "well today we're told our future requirements will be...." lol... but they're really not joking!

[moughie]

Children under 16 do need their own passport to reenter the USA.

[Cornerguy1]

Current documentation requirements for entering Canada are available at the Canada Border Services web site.


Requirements for entering the US at a land border will be changing in June, 2009 to require everyone to have a passport to enter the US. This includes US citizens.