How To Obtain A Passport

Question:

I live in Texas and i need to go to British Columbia next summer. Do I need a passport, and how can I get one? I don't travel much obviously?

Answer:

Check the yellow pages, you can get a form off the web too and go to the local post office and file it.

http://travel.state.gov/passport_services.html

No, you don't need a passport to visit Canada if you're a US citizen. Take your drivers license or state ID with you and you should have no problem.

If you are a US citizen, you don't need a passport to go to Canada. You need proof of identity (e.g., driver's license) and proof of citizenship (e.g., original birth certificate, not a copy). A passport is both, however, so if you have one, it makes life easier.

The poster who suggested you set your browser to http://travel.state.gov gave you the best advice. You can find at this site both information about how to obtain a passport and downloadble forms. You will also find entry requirements for different countries plus State Department issued travel advisories.

The point of confusion that most people have when suggesting acceptable alternatives to a passport is this. What is required for entry in Canada is a US Government Issued Photo ID (Photo Drivers License, State Issued Photo ID, Government Employee ID) and a copy of your Birth Certificate issued by the state of your birth with the state's raised seal on it. These are the very same documents needed to obtain a Passport.

If you anticipate traveling in the future, a Passport is a good idea. They are usually good for 5 to 10 years after issue date and some tourist destinations will only accept a passport for entry.

Be advised do not rely on the casual advice you get from usenet newsgroups. Verify what I have told you by visiting the US State Department's web site mentioned in the above link. Other reliable sources are: a travel agent with professional affiliation to ASTA, and IATA or trusted tour operator. The bottom line is get your information from a primary source and there isn't any more primary that the US State Department.

Getting into Canada is the easy part. You're much more likely to have problems getting back into the US.

What country are you a citizen of? This makes a big difference.

American citizens visiting Canada do not need a passport.

What is required -- if not always asked for -- is *sufficient* documentation to establish *citizenship* and place of residence.

The very BEST is a current passport, since it is an official declaration by one national government to another.

Also GOOD are other forms of government-issued documents, such as drivers' licences, certificates of naturalized citizenship, permanent residency ("green cards") military service or birthplace. Those with a photograph are good, and card with "integral" photos (such as the new generation of driver's licences) are even better.

Such items as credit cards, club memberships and paycheque stubs may help in support of the official kind, but are *not* substitutes for them. Voter registration cards don't count for much, as Canadians rarely carry theirs.

And if you haven't re-entered the United States in recent months, you should be aware that US officials are being far more demanding of documentation (and more thorough in vehicle inspection) than previously. The preparations you make for crossing into Canada will serve very well to speed your welcome back home!

Some hints:

-- if any of your passengers are not US citizens, or were not born in USA, be sure that those persons have adequate documentation with them and ready to hand, *not* in a suitcase somewhere;

-- if you are taking any prescription drugs, be sure to bring a copy of the original doctor's prescription with you;

-- in Canada, we take firearms VERY seriously, and there are NO funny jokes on the subject -- none, never, nohow;

-- we also take impaired driving VERY seriously, and Canada Customs staff have a zero-tolerance policy; they will not hesitate to detain drivers and call the local police if they suspect you; also note that since September 11, RCMP officers frequent border crossings much more often than before;

-- a *really* thorough "swamping out" of your vehicle's nooks and crannies is well advised, especially if you've loaned out your rig to the kids down the hall or your in-laws in recent months; what you turn up in the backs of drawers or the bottoms of closets in an RV, and under the carpets or behind the spare tire might well surprise you -- and surprise a Customs officer even more!

We look forward to seeing you, Kristen!

You can get OFFICIAL information from the Government of Canada website at:

This is no longer entirely true -- you need proof of citizenship which a drivers license does not provide. You might do fine driving [they didn't even ask for ID last time we drove but this was before 911] but you will need it if you fly.

With the changes since Sept 11, it would probably be a good idea. Even if people are crossing with just driver's licenses, there is no telling when the border controls will be tightened. The way to obtain a passport here in Arizona is to go the local county court office (same place as you would apply for a marriage license) and apply there. They will need proof of your US citizenship such as birth certificate and photo ID.

I have NOT said that drivers licences are "proofs of citizenship".

What I HAVE said is:

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ What is required -- if not always asked for -- is *sufficient* documentation to establish *citizenship* AND PLACE OF RESIDENCE.

The very BEST is a current passport, since it is an official declaration by one national government to another.

Clearly, some documents are helpful in establishing CITIZENSHIP, while others -- such as drivers licences -- are helpful in establishing RESIDENCE.

because a driver's license is not proof of citizenship. Surely you noticed that I also said one needs proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate.

A drivers license that is not a Photo Drivers License is not acceptable in Canada, Mexico or many other nations. What is acceptable is a State or Federal Government issued Photo ID and a birth certificate. Documents that establish Residence but not Citizenship are not accepted. The best source for this information remains the US State Department at http://travel.state.gov

your local post office probably has a passport application available for you. You can also get definitive word on what you need to do in order to get a passport from the United States Department of State. See their web site at http://travel.state.gov/ for all the info you could ever need about getting an American passport, along with downloadable copies of the relevant forms.

if he is living in Texas, he is either a US citizen, or has a passport. (Or is an illegal alien, so would probably not be in a position to get a passport anyway.)

Therefore one can deduce (a la Holmes) that he is a US citizen.