Passport

[Mak10]

I’m being optimistic about the Canadian border opening soon. Should have a new passport in about a week. I didn’t go the expedited route and it should arrive in appropriately 4 weeks! They told me to expect 10 weeks.

Do not turn this into a Covid thread. If you want to talk Covid post in a different thread.

 

[Dons 1911]

I'm sharing in your optimism! I did a passport card a few years back for trips into Canada. I don't recall how long it took to get ...

 

[WJBertrand]

Pre-Covid, they would turn around a passport application in about 2 weeks even though they told you four.

 

[Cycledude]

My passport also needs to be renewed, it expired last February and I didn’t renew it then because the courthouse was closed for that type of thing.
When I got my first passport they said it would take about a month but it arrived in about two weeks

 

[ballisticexchris]

I sure am on board to travel to Canada after all this crap is over. I've always wanted to go up the Alaskan Highway and see Denali Mountain. Also want to see some of the lakes and mountains in Canada and take a few of the ferries.

 

[Sierra1]

I’m being optimistic about the Canadian border opening soon. Should have a new passport in about a week. . . .

Excuse my ignorance, but when did they start using passports for Canada. And, do you need one for Mexico? What about on a cruise? I'm guessing that it's a 9-11 thing? Texas used to let Mexicans Nationals get a Texas license. Now they don't. Ridiculous. What's worse, if they already have a license, they can't get it renewed. All because of 9-11.

 

[magic]

My passport also needs to be renewed, it expired last February and I didn’t renew it then because the courthouse was closed for that type of thing.
When I got my first passport they said it would take about a month but it arrived in about two weeks

You can get your passport renewed at many post offices. I missed a couple fishing trips last year and sure hope I can go this year.

 

[magic]

Excuse my ignorance, but when did they start using passports for Canada. And, do you need one for Mexico? What about on a cruise? I'm guessing that it's a 9-11 thing? Texas used to let Mexicans get a Texas license. Now they don't. Ridiculous. What's worse, if they already has a license, they couldn't get it renewed. All because of 9-11.

Canada, 2009, There are 2 kinds, one for driving and one for flying. Don't know about Mexico...

 

[Mak10]

Make sure you call ahead to the post office. The one I went to had appointment slots and was only open and available at certain times. You have to have an original birth certificate, driver’s license and another picture ID. And keep in mind they keep your birth certificate and send it back when you get the passport.

 

[EricV]

@Sierra1 - You need the passport to enter/return to the US, but they don't stamp US passports when you cross into Canada. (You can ask them to and they may do so if you want the stamp). Shortly after 9/11/01 occurred they cracked down on entry/exit for Canada. No idea about Mexico, I worry about Insurance more there. They did look at our passports when we went down to MX last year. I have some funny stories about crossing into Canada and back into the US from early May in '02 when construction was going on to beef up the security above Great Falls, MT. Better told over a beverage and around a campfire. All I had was a copy of my birth certificate and my state driver's license. Tip - Never mention you went up to Banff from East Glacier just for lunch when you're re-crossing the border at Sweet Grass, MT. They seemed to think that was a bit odd...

A decade ago I had to drive from Portland to Seattle with the GF of the moment to do an in person passport replacement. It was an ok day trip, but took some time. I think she had an 8 or 9 am appointment and it wasn't crowded that day. We wandered around Pike Place Market for a couple of hours waiting for them to process her docs and photo into a new passport. It cost an additional $100 if I recall. She had a trip the following day and couldn't find her passport that she had laid out the day before. We later found out the young niece had dropped it down the heat register since it fit so nicely thru the slot.

 

[ballisticexchris]

Passports are easy to get here in CA. I keep mine updated just for another form of ID. As a haz mat driver I'm also required to have Haz Prints on file so I get a TWIC card at the same time. If you carry a TWIC card then you don't have to go through the TSA checkpoints and customs is much smoother when traveling.

 

[VRODE]

Hope the borders open up this summer. This week is usually when the Salon de Moto in Montreal is held (cancelled for 2021). I rarely miss it. Oh, well....next year.

 

[Mak10]

The last time I went into Mexico (10yrs) we drove right in. When trying to leave to come back, they wanted a passport. My wife is still mad at me over the hassle.

 

[Checkswrecks]

@Sierra1 - You need the passport to enter/return to the US, but they don't stamp US passports when you cross into Canada.

Going to Canada just before COVID was a breeze and there were a number of things they'd use for ID. Plus Canadian inspectors are pleasant to chat with at the little stations and I even had a young lady answer where a good local restaurant was. Their most serious questions were to keep fire arms out of the country.

Coming back to the US? HA!
Expect a professional yet somber face, have that passport ready, and don't be surprised to be asked to pull over for more questioning or an inspection. Especially if you have ANY kind of accent or are otherwise noticeable. My German ex is the classic tall blonde but you'd have thought her last name was Bin Laden. In 2001 I had a passport replaced in London (sudden emergency trip for work) and several years later one in Rome so every border crossing became the Spanish Inquisition ever after.

 

[Sierra1]

The last time I went into Mexico (10yrs) we drove right in. When trying to leave to come back, they wanted a passport. My wife is still mad at me over the hassle.

From personal experience, I'm sure is was something like: you should have known, and if you didn't, you should have checked.

 

[OldRider]

Why not just sit at home, drink some beer and fill out the online form?

 

[EricV]

Why not just sit at home, drink some beer and fill out the online form?

I did the last renewal at the local Post Office. Got the photo there too.

CCW renewal for UT last time was all online and I took my own photo in the house. Super easy renewal. MS CCW was not too bad, but I had to go in, wait in line, wait in the chairs then wait some more. Still shorter process than getting MS to put a little red star on my DL to show I was a Veteran though. That took months.

 

[Chaz]

Can I ask what’s your plans coming in Canada?
As a Canadians , when I cross the border in Vermont on a recent bike trip I remember the Officer took both of us, me and my budd at The same time at the booth and keep asking about drugs and alcohol...I remember I said I don’t have alcohol with as I will buy it on the other side and I don’t do drugs...His final was « not today »...I was just laughing about it and said your funny! Usually when I cross with my family its pretty easy and straight foward because we’re just normal folks with a vacation plan ! But with a bike there is always a lot more questions!
That said. Youre welcome in Canada my friend , best country in the World!!! Ahahaha

 

[Sierra1]

Same here with the weapon permit; all on line. For the veteran moniker, I had to show a copy of my DD-214, which I didn't have at the time. I tried using my vehicle registration to prove my status, since you have to show a DD-214 to get the veteran plates. The lady looked at me like I was the idiot, and told me that it was a different system. She couldn't get her head around the fact that it was the same paperwork to get my plates. . . . and nothing had changed. I went back to my old employer, and got a copy of their copy of my DD-214.

 

[Mak10]

In Utah you won’t need a concealed permit after May. Idaho has two permits a basic one and no class is required and a enhanced one that a lot of other states will recognize.

When I went toget the passport, I only had my drivers license and birth certificate. I didn’t have another photo ID on me. Luckily my daughter was with me and she could fill out an affidavit.

I don’t know how you would do this online. Picture had to be just so. Had to mail in original birth certificate. Three forms of ID.

Getting a passport in Kalifornia should be no different. It’s a federal thing. Not a state thing.