passports?

[c-towns]

Does anyone know how long it takes to renew an expired passport?

What are the exact id requirements for driving across the border and then flying within the states?

[Blane]

Just did it in december. Give yourself a month if you can do it at a passport office in person (faster option). There are "standard" and accelerated speeds of service. I think I had mine in about 3 weeks.

For flying into the states you need a passport. My ex roomate got refused the right to board a flight to L.A. 2 months ago.

Edited February 9, 2008 by Guest

[KarinGarage]

i dont think they require them to drive across the border just yet. it was supposed to be a requirement as of the new year, but i just heard on the radio the other day that they postponed it until 2009. FYI, the source on the radio was a casino windsor ad, so i'm not quite sure how accurate the info is.

[Chewie]

dude, u can still drive across with just pic id and a birth certificate and then board a domestic flight with same id...no passport needed. i've been doing that for years...just did it for nye

[Birdy]

I guess the new Ontario driver's license is supposedly going to act the same as a passport does when traveling to and fro in the US. Or at least the government's trying to make that happen. Or at least that's what I've heard.

[elemeno]

check with the airline ctowns

some new rules took effect jan 31,2008

i know you can cross the boarder with just your drivers licence and birth certificate. boarding a flight is different i think

[balogna pogna]

You should have enough time to get the express version done at the very least.

[Ol'Hickster]

Good excuse to get it renued anyways I mean if yea dont do it now youll probally just put it off and off

[Basher]

Renew using the online form - when you take that to the passport office you are put at the front of the line.

[bouche]

it can be speedy if you do it in person. I had my first passport in about 2 weeks. ms.hux had hers renewed in about the same time.

Renew using the online form - when you take that to the passport office you are put at the front of the line.

there couldn't be a better tip. I did mine online and printed the forms up. when I showed up, i was pointed to a dedicated wicket for prefilled forms. there was no one in line for that.

[elemeno]

oh if your passport has expired, you get to start over from scratch. you must renew before it expires.

[elemeno]

oh and when i tell customs how much coke you got rammed up your ass you aint going no where with or without a passport.

[AD]

mailing it in is 20 business days

going in to the office is 10 business days

or you can pay extra for urgent service and get it in a day.

doesn't matter if it's expired or not. although you can't travel on an expired passport.

(my source is a passport office employee who is sitting in my living room)

[Birdy]

you're okay with just your driver's license to fly within the US until 2009. We have a whole office full of people who do it all the time.

Edited February 10, 2008 by Guest

[M]

I got my passport w/in a day (express) in person @ the office in Toronto and it was pretty painless. You do need to have all your forms, etc. organized though (ie: signature from guarantor - lawyer or doctor someone that's known you for a certain number of years i think).

I think I also needed to show proof of travel (ie: plane ticket) to get the 'emergency' passport. There was also something like a $70 fee for this 1-2 day turnaround. I think there was a slightly lesser fee for a week turnaround.

I just heard that you could only fly w/ birth cert and license until Jan 31, 2008. So that would mean you need a passport to fly now.

Like everyone above, I've heard you can still cross driving/train/bus with birth cert & license.

[Birdy]

From the US Customs and Border Protection Website:

Entry of Citizens of Canada

Citizens of Canada are exempt from the visa and passport requirement of Immigration and Nationality Act (section 212(a)(7).) To enter the United States, a Canadian citizen must be able to establish both identity and citizenship. Documents that may establish citizenship are:

Birth certificate

Citizenship certificate

Passport.

Although a CBP officer may accept an oral declaration of citizenship, it is recommended that a Canadian citizen carry a document that establishes citizenship. Under current procedures, all travelers may be required to present photo-identification.

NOTE: A Canadian citizen arriving from outside the Western Hemisphere is required to present a passport. Canadian citizens classified as Treaty Trader, Treaty Investor, or Fiancé(e) require a visa.

[Birdy]

And from the US Embassy in Ottawa:

For Land/Sea Travel

On January 31, 2008, U.S. and Canadian citizens entering the U.S. 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. At a later date to be determined, the implementation of all WHTI requirements will be announced.

Under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), for entry into the United States at land or sea borders:

- Oral declarations of citizenship alone will no longer be accepted; U.S. and Canadian citizens ages 19 and older will need to present a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, along with proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate or naturalization certificate;

- Children ages 18 and under will only be required to present proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate;

- Passports and trusted traveler program cards - NEXUS, FAST, and SENTRI - will continue to be accepted for cross-border travel.

You're good.

[elemeno]

"(my source is a passport office employee who is sitting in my living room)"

from experience i've learned most government employees don’t know shit about their job or how to direct people looking for answers within said employees department.

Edited February 10, 2008 by Guest

[bouche]

"(my source is a passport office employee who is sitting in my living room)"

from experience i've learned most government employees don’t know shit about their job or how to direct people looking for answers within said employees department.

that's not a nice thing to say about AD's friend.

[c-towns]

sit back on the bench 44

[larry_llama]

you can still cross the border with a photo id plus birth certificate. you do not need a passport to fly. photo id (preferably the kind with holographic lamination) is sufficient.

but aside from all that, i just found out they changed the requirements and you no longer need a doctor or lawyer to sign your application, it can be anyone with a valid passport. also they changed the rules for renewal so that you don't have to send your current one in to them anymore.

so putting off getting my passport totally worked out for me. sweet.

presumably this is because in the next few years way more people are going to need passports so they have to make it a bit less stupid of a process...?