Do we need a passport to go to Canada from Michigan?

Question

Next August, 2008, my husband and I have a meeting in Canada, and are planning to take our children, the oldest of whom will be 11. We are all US (Michigan) citizens. Will we all need passports, how much does a passport cost, and how long is it valid? Is this done through the Secretary of State's office?

By the way, we'll be driving, not flying, if that makes any difference.

Answer 1

This isn't static, it is a work in progress, so you will need to keep on top of it between now and then.

Right now, the suggested rules for next year (driving) is you and your husband will need passports and you will need birth certificates for the kids. (Revised rules announced Feb 2007)

I would start the process soon. Passports are valid for 5 years, and the US has an easier process to renew a passport. You can get an application at any post office, or at my second link. It costs $97 each, plus photos.

See the link - scroll to the bottom for Children.

The rule change in the news today is those flying this summer only need to show they applied for a passport because of passport issue backlogs. So, they still would have had to apply for one.

Answer 2

There is no such thing as a citizen from Michigan, just a resident of Michigan. You are only a citizen of the USA.

You do not need a passport to travel to Canada at this time. However that will not be the case very soon. In fact you did need one up to yesterday if you were flying.

You apply for a passport through the passport office at a nearby post office. Not all post offices have passport facilities, however many do and one is surely near where you live. An adult passport is good for 10 years, while a child's is only for 5 years (age 16 and under). A passport costs $97 each and is currently taking 15 weeks to get. However you can pay an extra $60 each and get them expedited which only takes 4 weeks to get.

Even if you don't need them now, you really should apply anyway. It will only be a matter of a year or two before you will need them to fly anywhere inside the US or travel outside the country.

Answer 3

Yes, you do need a passport, and for each of your children (babies may only need birth certificates, so go online and check it out with the border). Border control to Canada changed its policy last year, so that all citizens of the US need a passport, and not the usual driver's license.

travel.state.gov/passport has the stated costs of passports for people 16 years and above and 16 years and below. It will be close to $100 per adult, with all the fees included, and $60 per passport to expedite processing. Since you have plenty of time (August 2008), aply early and you won't have to deal with that extra fee.

Passports are good for 10 years, and costs a little less at renewal time. You may get to keep that old passport, but they might mark it in some way that makes it unusuable (you can keep it as a momento -- mine is filled with stamps from all over the world). You can get check passport pictures from your local drug store. Or, take a head and shoulders close up shot of yourself (front and center) without hats, facial jewelry, bandaids, headscarves (no kidding, it's stated in the requirements for pictures), develop the print, and cut it down to the passport size (I believe that's 1 inch by 1 inch square). I used to do this for up to 100 people a year, and it was a great way to save a little money if you have a good digital camera and a scissors!

On the website, you will find locations of the nearest passport processing facility. Sometimes that is a consulate; other times it's just a simple passport processing center. There are forms to fill out, pictures to turn in with money, and copies of other pieces of information they will need in order to issue you a passport. If you process it exactly as they tell you to, you won't have any problems.


Most of your other questions can be answered on the above website. Good luck and bon voyage!

Answer 4

Yes, you will all need passports to enter and return from Canada. You can get your passport at a United States Post Office near you. Some of the post offices even take the pictures for you. I would think about getting the passports done pretty early. I just recently applied for one for my child and it is going to take 12 weeks to get it back. USPS.com has all the cost etc associated with getting a us passport and you can print the application from there.

Answer 5

"The Bush administration on Friday suspended some of its new, post-Sept. 11 requirements for flying abroad, hoping to placate Congress and irate summer travelers whose vacations have been thwarted by delays in processing their passports.

The proposal would temporarily lift a requirement that U.S. passports be used for citizens flying to and from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda. The rule, and its suspension, does not affect Americans driving across the Canadian or Mexican borders or taking sea cruises, although those travelers are expected to need passports beginning next year."

Answer 6

The Canadian border, via using e mail, advised me a image identity and an unique delivery certificates could do. yet in accordance to web pages i desire a passport. do no longer understand what to do. There are 7 individuals and passports are $a hundred and ten each.

Answer 7

U.S. puts new passport rules on summer hiatus

The U.S. State Department has temporarily eased tough new passport rules for air travellers to and from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda.

Answer 8

Yes, but check out this story on CNN they are easing passport guidelines for the summer. Ofcourse it's only helpful if you are traveling this summer.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/06/08/passports.ap/index.html

Answer 9

Normally, yes since they changed the law last year, but it has been temporarily suspended due to a backlog of applications clogging the system

Fresh from ABC News:

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=3255995

Answer 10

Yes you do need a passport. It is just like one of those airplane passorts.