Passport? No. Birth Certificate? Yes.
I mentioned yesterday that the State Department had recently announced that Americans don't need a passport to enter Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, or the Caribbean. Well, that's only half the story. If you don't bring a passport, you better bring a birth certificate.
U.S. officials have no problem letting you out of the country (or back in) with just a state-issued I.D. and proof that you've applied for a passport. Officials of those other countries, however, still want a certified U.S. birth certificate as well. You can read the exact documentation requirements of each country on the State Department's website.
U.S. officials did such a poor job of getting this message across that many people have been showing up at the airport in the last few days with only a driver's license and passport application, and have been turned down for flights to Quebec or Acapulco. Don't let the State Department's double-speak ruin your summer vacation.
RSS Feeds
Omniture events in request:
Well, the government just wouldn't be the government if they weren't mucking something up now would they?
On the other hand, people aren't very bright are they? Before the whole passport rule, you needed a certified birth certificate to get into countries that didn't require a passport anyway, so they should have known. And if they didn't know, they should have asked someone in advance about what they needed.
I mean when I travel to another country, I check the entry requirements. For example, do I need a visa? Or just my passport? Or just a birth certificate? It seems like common sense to me. Maybe I'm weird?
Posted by: tracker1312 | June 13, 2007 at 10:03 AM
I believe you are required to send the government your original birth certificate with your new passport application, so I'm not sure how traveling with proof of an application AND your birth certificate is even possible...
Posted by: Meagan | June 13, 2007 at 11:18 AM
Certified copies of birth certificates usually can be issued immediately if you apply in person at the appropriate Government Center. But just like the passport issue, if you cannot apply in person, keep in mind the extra time for delivery!
Posted by: lorib | June 14, 2007 at 07:42 AM