Expert: - 6/22/2008

Question
Hi and thank you for taking my question.  My husband and I want to take our 2 granddaughters on vacation at the end of July 2008 and 1st week in august.  We would like to travel Canada through St,Marie to Ottawa.  Would we need a passport and also the 2 girls ages 11 and 14?

Answer
Thank you for your query to AllExperts.com.

If you are U.S. citizens you will not require a passport to enter Canada.  You do require photo ID and proof of citizenship (e.g., a drivers license AND a birth certificate or similar -- note that a drivers license is NOT proof of citizenship at this time).  You do not require photo ID for the children, but will require proof of citizenship (e.g., their birth certificates) as well as written documentation from the legal guardian(s) of the children (e.g., their parents or other person holding approved guardianship) to conduct international travel with the children.  It is imperative that the guardians are able to be contacted, if necessary, by border agents who may wish to confirm the authenticity of any written authorization.

The no passport requirement applies only to land travel at this time.  If you are traveling by air, you will require passports for all persons in order for you to re-enter the U.S. (passports are not required for U.S. citizens to enter Canada, but you require it to re-enter your own country).