Flying out of Buffalo...Passport Needed?

[Tiggs]

My husband and I plus our two boys (ages 4 & 5) are flying out of Buffalo in September.

Currently none of us have passports. My husband and I have the new enhanced drivers licenses and we have the boys birth certificates. Can we get across the border (driving) and board a plane in Buffalo flying directly to Orlando with what we have or do we need to get passports? If so do we all need one?

Thanks for any help anyone can offer. I'm having trouble figuring out the land vs. air requirements. I'm guessing we all need to get passports from what I've read.

[petrpuck]

You will need passports to get across the border. Get them now , you still have plenty of time.

[CheapScotsman]

I don't know about the Ontario EDL but the BC ones let you cross the border on land or sea. Kids only need a birt cert.

Once you are in the US and if you are only flying within the US then you don't need a passport. Your DL and Birt Certs should do the job.

More Info here:
http://www.getyouhome.gov/html/lang_can/can_edl.html
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/whti-ivho/menu-eng.html
http://www.dhs.gov/xprevprot/programs/gc_1200693579776.shtm
http://www.dhs.gov/xtrvlsec/crossingborders/

[MaxPower19]

You will need passports to get across the border. Get them now , you still have plenty of time.

He has an enhanced drivers license, which is fine in BC at least and for US domestic travel.

[Tiggs]

It's nice to see I'm not the only one confused about what we'll need to fly out of Buffalo.

I'll try calling on Monday to see if I can get confirmation that the new enhanced drivers license will work. We don't go anywhere other than the States so if we can get by without passports we'll do that if not we'll be getting passports next week.

Thanks for the links and your help.

[Owbist]

The enhanced drivers license will get you across the border in Ontario. When we applied they told us in the licensing office that people were getting over with no problems with the new license. They also said (near the start of June) that the paper license issued while waiting for the real one was being accepted on occasions.

Still waiting for our enhanced license to arrive....................

[rdtx2002]

i really don't understand these enhanced driver licenses.. you what pay 75 bux for them?.. 5 dollars more and you can get a passport to travel the world

[Pete_Coach]

It's nice to see I'm not the only one confused about what we'll need to fly out of Buffalo.

I'll try calling on Monday to see if I can get confirmation that the new enhanced drivers license will work. We don't go anywhere other than the States so if we can get by without passports we'll do that if not we'll be getting passports next week.

Thanks for the links and your help.

There is no confusion here. Regardless of where you fly from in the US, you need to get into the US first.
Don't know where you are flying to once you are in the US but if it is out of the Country (Buffalo to Europe for instance) you will not get on the aircraft without a passport. An EDL (from whatever Province) may have no meaning to a ticket agent in Pumphandle Alabama (or elsewhere). Are you going to win an argument or dispute? Chances are you will miss your flight before resolution.
This is simple. You need a passport. The American officials can choose to do how they see fit, by their own interpenetration. You are "guest" in their Country and must abide by theri laws and their interpretation of their laws. Why would you even gamble with a possibility of a misunderstanding?
Take one moment and read the links CheapScotsman has posted. It is an easy read, no confusion and, no ambiguity.

[Tiggs]

There is no confusion here. Regardless of where you fly from in the US, you need to get into the US first.
Don't know where you are flying to once you are in the US but if it is out of the Country (Buffalo to Europe for instance) you will not get on the aircraft without a passport. An EDL (from whatever Province) may have no meaning to a ticket agent in Pumphandle Alabama (or elsewhere). Are you going to win an argument or dispute? Chances are you will miss your flight before resolution.
This is simple. You need a passport. The American officials can choose to do how they see fit, by their own interpenetration. You are "guest" in their Country and must abide by theri laws and their interpretation of their laws. Why would you even gamble with a possibility of a misunderstanding?
Take one moment and read the links CheapScotsman has posted. It is an easy read, no confusion and, no ambiguity.


First off if you had read MY first post you would know that we are travelling from Buffalo to Orlando crossing the US border on land then flying from Buffalo to Orlando.

I KNOW the enhanced drivers licenses that we have will get us across the border on land and that the boys can cross using only their birth certificates. What I don't know if these same documents are sufficient to board a plane in Buffalo and land in Orlando. That is where the confusion lies.

If you read all the posts you'll see that others are unsure as to what is required for a Canadian to fly from Buffalo to Orlando. I'm asking here because I can't call government offices outside of business hours and I figured someone knew the answer. I will call and confirm and will purchase a passport for all of us only if it's necessary.

[slotscanada]

First off if you had read MY first post you would know that we are travelling from Buffalo to Orlando crossing the US border on land then flying from Buffalo to Orlando.

I KNOW the enhanced drivers licenses that we have will get us across the border on land and that the boys can cross using only their birth certificates. What I don't know if these same documents are sufficient to board a plane in Buffalo and land in Orlando. That is where the confusion lies.

If you read all the posts you'll see that others are unsure as to what is required for a Canadian to fly from Buffalo to Orlando. I'm asking here because I can't call government offices outside of business hours and I figured someone knew the answer. I will call and confirm and will purchase a passport for all of us only if it's necessary.

We flew from Buffalo to Disney back in February. We crossed the border w/ just driver's liceneses and birth certificates. (You now need a secure DL or passport though to drive across as of June xx, 2009). The NSA security people didn't even flinch when we handed them our driver's licenses as id - not a problem.

So I think if you can get across no problem, you will have no problem at the Buffalo airport.

[Owbist]

i really don't understand these enhanced driver licenses.. you what pay 75 bux for them?.. 5 dollars more and you can get a passport to travel the world

No, you pay $40 on top of the regular license fee for 5 years.

The license is then so much simpler to carry than a bulky passport in your back pocket. You also need a photo taken by a professional so he/she can stamp the rear to make it look 'authentic' for the passport. Either way you pay so it is a personal preference really.

[CSK'sMom]

The enhanced drivers license will get you across the border in Ontario. When we applied they told us in the licensing office that people were getting over with no problems with the new license. They also said (near the start of June) that the paper license issued while waiting for the real one was being accepted on occasions.

Still waiting for our enhanced license to arrive....................

Owbist, when did you do your interview? Hubby did his June 4th and still hasn't recieved his EDL. We're not sure wether to be concerned at this point yet or not that it got lost somewhere. :confused:

[gilboman]

First off if you had read MY first post you would know that we are travelling from Buffalo to Orlando crossing the US border on land then flying from Buffalo to Orlando.

I KNOW the enhanced drivers licenses that we have will get us across the border on land and that the boys can cross using only their birth certificates. What I don't know if these same documents are sufficient to board a plane in Buffalo and land in Orlando. That is where the confusion lies.

If you read all the posts you'll see that others are unsure as to what is required for a Canadian to fly from Buffalo to Orlando. I'm asking here because I can't call government offices outside of business hours and I figured someone knew the answer. I will call and confirm and will purchase a passport for all of us only if it's necessary.


are you sure kids don't need a passport to cross the border by land?

[Rehan]

I KNOW the enhanced drivers licenses that we have will get us across the border on land and that the boys can cross using only their birth certificates. What I don't know if these same documents are sufficient to board a plane in Buffalo and land in Orlando. That is where the confusion lies.

If you read all the posts you'll see that others are unsure as to what is required for a Canadian to fly from Buffalo to Orlando. I'm asking here because I can't call government offices outside of business hours and I figured someone knew the answer. I will call and confirm and will purchase a passport for all of us only if it's necessary. You don't need a passport to get on the plane... photo ID is enough. We made the same trip a couple months ago.

[CSK'sMom]

are you sure kids don't need a passport to cross the border by land?
No they don't if they are under 16 years old. Only after age 16 does the passport, EDL or Nexus kick in....

[Tiggs]

I called South West (who we're flying with) today and they confirmed we do not need a passport to fly from Buffalo to Orlando.

[copter]

No they don't if they are under 16 years old. Only after age 16 does the passport, EDL or Nexus kick in....


That's not entirely true. Both my kids have Nexus cards despite being under 16. They cannot cross a Nexus-only bridge (or use a Nexus lane) without one. However, they are permitted to enter the USA with just a birth certificate. Adults require passports, EDL, or Nexus.

[CSK'sMom]

I didn't say they need one to cross copter, the post I responded to was stating that he thought kids needed a passport to cross by land. Kids under 16 do not need anything other than a birth certificate or other acceptable piece of ID proving citizenship to cross. Once they turn 16 they need one of the 3 acceptable option to cross by land. You're talking Nexus requirments and we're talking land crossing requirements for everyone...

Owbist, hubby got his EDL delivered today by DHL. :)

[Owbist]

Owbist, when did you do your interview? Hubby did his June 4th and still hasn't recieved his EDL. We're not sure wether to be concerned at this point yet or not that it got lost somewhere. :confused:

Mom we went to St Catharines on the 5th of June for ours and they arrived today, Monday June 29th. An ugly photo but hopefully the customs folks will look at me first and the license first after :)

Strangely it was delivered by DHL from Kingston yet the government owns Purolator. Feds versus Ontario I suppose, it is only our taxes after all :(

Edit:- Sorry Mom, saw your original query and answered that without reading on. Glad it arrived for you. A question, feel free to ignore if you wish but I am curious to know why you (or hubby) never elected to go for the Nexus card? Just curious, we got to wonder after we had applied for the EDL. We'll study it all over the next 4 years and hopefully be ready then.

[CSK'sMom]

Mom we went to St Catharines on the 5th of June for ours and they arrived today, Monday June 29th. An ugly photo but hopefully the customs folks will look at me first and the license first after :)

Strangely it was delivered by DHL from Kingston yet the government owns Purolator. Feds versus Ontario I suppose, it is only our taxes after all :(

Edit:- Sorry Mom, saw your original query and answered that without reading on. Glad it arrived for you. A question, feel free to ignore if you wish but I am curious to know why you (or hubby) never elected to go for the Nexus card? Just curious, we got to wonder after we had applied for the EDL. We'll study it all over the next 4 years and hopefully be ready then.

We've thought about Nexus over the last few years, especially with the Whirlpool being only Nexus. Our tipping point was that if we did Nexus (before June 1st and the new requirements) it meant that all 3 kids needed it as well if we went the Nexus Lane. I'm waiting it out right now but may end up with Nexus as I don't drive. The non-driver ID was supposed to be ready for June 1st but now they are saying the fall. At this point hubby can run over for groceries and I'll have to make a decision by late summer as I refuse to miss Black Friday. ;) Two of our three kids (17 &20) are going to need to make a decision as well. At this point I think they are going to do EDL's until the passport expiration is extended to 10 years. The oldest has plans to travel Europe after he's done school and pays off his loans but that isn't for another 2-3 years probably. He just can't justify the cost for a 5 year passport just to cross the border.

[Owbist]

Thanks for the response Mom. We had been using UK passports as they were cheaper and lasted 10 years. Plus I got to use my own photos without cost :) All last year the U.S. customs agents felt we would have no issues but into 2009 the idea changed and the UK passport made us UK citizens despite being Canadians since 1977 and able to produce the citizenship card. Their beef with the card is that the joker holding the card (me) does not resemble the younger person in the photo :)

I can understand your situation with 5 of you to consider, a passport would no doubt be better for the younger set, they would then be free to travel in an instant.