Passport or no?

Robert M. Gary wrote:
I thought I was going to have to spent $300 to get passports for my
wife and kids when coming back from Mexico next year but now I'm not
sure. Reading AOPA's site
http://www.aopa.org/whatsnew/newsite...port_info.html
They claim that after Dec 31st "will be required to have a passport or
other acceptable document". However, at the top they say "submit a
passport or other acceptable documentation as proof of citizenship".
So, this makes it sound as if kids can continue to travel with just a
birth certificate. Am I missing something? I certainly don't want to
pay $300 for no reason. I'm also pretty sure that customs will never
actually ask for it since they've never asked any of us for citizen
information in all the years we've been traveling to/from Mexico and
Canada. The worst I've ever been asked for was my driver's license and
pilots certificate. My wife was asked for her driver's license once
(and illegals can even get those!).
The actual rules and what the individual custom's person do are usually
different.

-Robrt

Read this:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html

In the past inspectors were allowed to accept any document and use some
judgement to determine whether you are a U.S. citizen. But starting
2007, they won't have that option. Save the trouble and get the
passports. If you are denied entry, it may cost you a lot more than
$300.

In fact I traved (via Mooney) with my son to Canada and back once
without any proof of his citizenship (I left his b-certificate at home
by accident). I didn't get any grief from either side. Perhaps it will
be more difficult now. I'm just a bit irritated that I've got to fork
over $300 now.
Also, since my passport is almost getting ready to expire, it will
actually cost me $400. It looks like I'd be better off just getting a
new one rather than renew. It looks like the difference is $20 and I'd
pay the $20 just to be able to keep my old stamps.

-robert


Andrew Sarangan wrote:
Robert M. Gary wrote:
In the past inspectors were allowed to accept any document and use some
judgement to determine whether you are a U.S. citizen. But starting
2007, they won't have that option. Save the trouble and get the
passports. If you are denied entry, it may cost you a lot more than
$300.

"Robert M. Gary" wrote:

In fact I traved (via Mooney) with my son to Canada and back once
without any proof of his citizenship (I left his b-certificate at home
by accident). I didn't get any grief from either side. Perhaps it will
be more difficult now. I'm just a bit irritated that I've got to fork
over $300 now.
Also, since my passport is almost getting ready to expire, it will
actually cost me $400. It looks like I'd be better off just getting a
new one rather than renew. It looks like the difference is $20 and I'd
pay the $20 just to be able to keep my old stamps.

-robert

At any rate, if a child is traveling with only one parent to Canada, the
Canadian officials may take a dim view to this due to problems with child
trafficking across borders. It is always a good idea to have a signed letter
from the other parent or legal guardian if not present.

your old stamps. You will receive your old passport back. It will just
have the corners cut. If you do not return it, you may have to claim it is
lost or stolen when you apply for a new one.

In article . com,
"Robert M. Gary" wrote:

It looks like the difference is $20 and I'd
pay the $20 just to be able to keep my old stamps.

They send you your old one back with the new one.