happyteacher

My husband and I MAY have to travel within the next week to Calgary (from the U.S.) and we MAY have to bring our minor child (under 10 years old) with us. Both of our passports are current but, unfortunately, our child's passport is expired. We do not live in close range of a regional passport office and we may not know for a few more days whether or not we will need to go. We are aware of expedited services, however many of them are very costly for such short notice. Besides that, they usually require a booked ticket which is not a chance I'm willing to take considering the passport may not be granted. It would certainly compound the money lost.

I realize that if we were to fly, passports are absolutely required to return to the U.S. However, if we drive, would we be able to return to the U.S. without it? Would a state issued ID card along with a birth certificate suffice for a minor child under 10? Not sure if it makes any difference, but we would cross over between Montana and Alberta (not sure at this point of the highway that heads up to Calgary). If we have to do the trip without our child we certainly can, but would prefer their attendance. Thanks for any advice or input.

Fra_Diavolo

"When returning to the United States from Canada, it is very important to note that all U.S. citizens are required to present a valid U.S. passport to enter or re-enter the United States via air. For entry into the United States via land and sea borders, U.S. citizens will need to present either a U.S. passport, passport card, NEXUS card, Enhanced Drivers License or other Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)-compliant document. The only exception to this requirement is for U.S. citizens under the age of 16 (or under 19, if traveling with a school, religious, or other youth group) who need only present a birth certificate (original, photocopy or certified copy), Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or naturalization certificate."

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_p.../cis_1082.html

happyteacher

Thanks for the link. I will print it out & bring the birth certificate. Thanks again.

garyt22

Also bring the expired passport... it will help to validate your childs' birth certificate and avoid any delays...

happyteacher

I had planned on bringing it anyway. Glad to know it may help. I feel bad for not renewing it but we haven't traveled anywhere in a couple of years so there wasn't a need for it. Better to be prepared than not. Thanks garyt22.

Bowsprit

A passport card, rather than a passport book, might be a good option for your child for future travel while driving from the U.S. to Canada. Here's the link:

http://travel.state.gov/passport/ppt...card_3926.html