how do I get a passport [Archive]

PAULBACH

03-02-2006, 07:41 PM

If you need photos the least expensive way to them is at AAA especially if you are a plus member - no charge.

If you are getting one to visit Canada the good news is you don't need a passposrt IF you are a US citizen. You will however need picture identification at the borders.

Canadian Border Crossing Requirements (http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/newsroom/factsheets/2005/0713visitingcanada-e.html) :deal

rickyracer

03-02-2006, 07:58 PM

I am going to vermont via canada. I still think I am going to get one just so I dont have any hassles

Thanks Ricky

PeoriaMac

03-02-2006, 08:59 PM

They're right, it's easy. Walgreens or a number of places--if you're not a AAA member-- will take the photo. A birth certificate is a must these days, so plan accordingly. I'm not sure what the time delay between applying and getting one. It used to be six weeks....but for an extra fee it could be put on the "expedited list". Then again, I got mine pre-9/11.

Mac

RebeccaV

03-02-2006, 09:00 PM

I still think I am going to get one just so I dont have any hassles
It is good to be prepared. I carry my passport and when I cross I ask the official which ID they would prefer. Sometimes they specify, sometimes they say "It doesn't matter"

I have been fortunate to have had VERY easy border crossings. I have never had a problem.

RandallIsland

03-02-2006, 09:23 PM

It used to be six weeks....but for an extra fee it could be put on the "expedited list".

Still the same.

Bokrijder

03-03-2006, 06:58 AM

JOSH

03-03-2006, 08:00 AM

I applied for my first passport about 3 weeks ago. Only four post offices in my general area handle passports. The hardest part, other than paying all that money, was standing in the long post office line with only two PO workers. And one of them was doing only passports, with a family of 4 (2 children) in front of me. It took 50 minutes to process the family of 4. The post office was set up for taking your phot for a small fee. Getting copies of my birth certificate from NYC Department of Health was previuosly taken care of entirely over the internet, and took about 10 days. Soon I will be able to travel to either Mongolia, Zambia, or Canada

josh

rinty

03-03-2006, 05:34 PM

Ricky:

When you get to the Canadian border, just say to the officer: "I brought my passport, eh." You'll have no problems crossing.

Rinty

Slablog

03-03-2006, 07:00 PM

YEP! A birth certificate and picture ID (license) works fine these days. Just be prepared to answer truthfully the questions about having alcohol or firearms with you. If they search your bags and DO find a gun, your in deep doo-doo.

goferu

03-03-2006, 07:14 PM

Assult weapons are frowned upon..LMAO...But just be honest...lol....and look contrite...Of course have your birth certificate with you...at least it will show that what is standing before them is legitimate....

Fritzc

03-03-2006, 07:34 PM

I live in Michigan and go to Canada often. I have never been asked to see a birth certificate. Actually I've never been asked to see anything. Who lugs around a birth certificate? This topic comes up every year and I think it is a moot point. However, It could be extremely inconvenient to not have one with you if needed. Years ago I used to carry around spare clutch cables, spare brake cables, spare tire tubes, headlight & taillight bulbs, first aid kits, cooking supplies, tool kits etc. etc. until I had hardly any room for my clothes, camping gear, camera gear, shaving supplies, cell phone and other stuff that I really DID need and used all the time. I quit carrying all that emergency equipment around and bought the Platinum membership in in the MOA. Anything happens I'll just dial up the nearest dealer and Motel 6! :thumb

Montauk

03-03-2006, 10:06 PM

Ricky, I'd say you can't go wrong with having a passport. It's more like carrying a Visa credit card. I travel to Canada, and always carry one.

BTW, you got an idea when you'd be going. I actually am now looking at going through WI and staying in Sudbury for a night then visit a friend in Ottawa.

I'm sure when the time comes close, we'll have quite a few people going through WI and Sault. Ste. Marie. I've got my route kinda layed out.

What are you riding... RT/GS/K ... or a cruiser?

cjack

03-04-2006, 08:22 AM

A few years (11+-) ago while attempting to acquire a passport for my son, I discovered this, "Gotcha". Upon submitting the document package, I was informed that the "Birth Registration" document issued by the state at the time of my son's birth was not a "Birth Certificate" as required by the passport department. WTF ?? Anyway, lots of extra time and leg work. Passport dept. said that the problem was not uncommon.

Motard
I found that out about the birth certificate. They sent me a passport good for only one year until I sent them the right form of birth proof. It has to be a filed and certified copy from a government office. I got mine over the internet from the City of Chicago...I forget which agency...division of something.
Anyway, it's worth having a passport besides Canada. You might want to fly to Tuscany or somewhere...or ride in the Alps.

Boxerkuh

03-04-2006, 08:31 AM

Having crossed into Canada and back serveral times myself, I have found that having a Passport is always a good idea. Also, check on the previous mentioned websites about the border crossing policies (what you can have and what you can't). I also always enjoy getting a mark put in my passport. Oh, also check for different border crossings... Up in Vermont I crossed one time at a very small one. It was a two lane country road... not traffic, usually just the locals there... It was different from the large one on the Interstate.... Have fun... :brad

Stuff2C

03-04-2006, 09:12 AM

Going into Canada on my way to Alaska (04 post 9-11) I had every piece of ID, insurance doc you could ever want and all they wanted was my DL. When I came back from Alaska they asked me were I was going and didn't even ask for my ID.
Must be my honest face :D

The_Veg

03-04-2006, 12:33 PM

Must be. :nyah

A couple of years ago I took a few day-hikes into Mexico while on business trips down near the border. The first time I went into the Imigracion office and inquired about identification. The cop working the desk, who looked all of 17 years old, told me in broken English that as long as I don't go beyond town I do not need to show identification. On later trips I just walked right past the crossing station and nobody cared.
On the way back in, the US side made me stand in line, show my DL, asked me all kinds of questions about what I was doing ans where I was going, etc., all the while entering my info and answers into a computer. Then about an hour further in there are border patrol stops along the highway, where I was usually just waved through- although one time I was asked if I was a citizen (but not asked for proof) and another time the patrolman sked what was in the large case in the back seat. I told him it was engineering equipment and he waved me through.
Now I may be off here, but looking at my map it looks like Canada is AT LEAST as close to us as Mexico- and has AT LEAST as much border and many more places to cross. That could be dangerous! I say we nuke Canada before they have a chance to attack us! :laugh

BradfordBenn

03-04-2006, 06:11 PM

I also showed them my Canadian Insurance card on the way in.

eljeffe

03-04-2006, 06:53 PM

Ricky:

When you get to the Canadian border, just say to the officer: "I brought my passport, eh." You'll have no problems crossing.

Rinty

Nah, you got it all wrong. Just pass your hand over your tank bag and say, "these are not the droids you are looking for. Move along".

SCQTT

03-05-2006, 12:36 PM

:D Nah, you got it all wrong. Just pass your hand over your tank bag and say, "these are not the droids you are looking for. Move along".

Very funny

SCQTT

03-05-2006, 12:38 PM

Everyone should get one that plans on doing any traveling, it just makes things so much easier.

FWIW you will need a passport to go to Canada and Mexico soon. I do not know the timeframe, but it is in the works for that to be mandatory.

The_Veg

03-05-2006, 01:29 PM

When they ask you if you have any drugs or weapons, reply with "What do you need?" :D

marcopolo

03-05-2006, 05:16 PM

FWIW you will need a passport to go to Canada and Mexico soon. I do not know the timeframe, but it is in the works for that to be mandatory.
Well, technically, you won't need one to get into Canada; you'll need one to get back into the US (this is an American requirement, not a Canadian one). For land borders, that date is January 2008 (earlier for air travellers). As of that date, you will need either a passport, or an "enhanced security document". Your DHS is examing the possibility of using a device like a credit card, with a built-in chip as that enhamced security document.

For this year's rally, all you would need is a photo driver's licence and something like a birth certificate. As was said, though, a passport removes all doubt.

Voni

03-05-2006, 06:04 PM

marcopolo wrote:
For this year's rally, all you would need is a photo driver's licence and something likea birth certificate. As was said, though, a passport removes all doubt.

Removes all doubt - and almost $100 from your pocket . . .

I wouldn't get a passport if I was only going to Canada. I have other uses for that money - like gas and tires ; )

Voni
sMiling

BradfordBenn

03-05-2006, 07:32 PM

I will say that with how much I travel the Passport does come in handy. It is a second form of ID that I keep seperate from my license... just in case.

The_Veg

03-05-2006, 09:47 PM

I wouldn't get a passport if I was only going to Canada. I have other uses for that money - like gas and tires

That's kind of short-sighted. It might come in handy later, so why not have it just in case?

Voni

03-06-2006, 07:35 AM

$95.00

But soon we'll have NO choice:

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2225.html

Since I traveled to Africa I do have a passport but it's certainly not needed till December 2007 for land border crossings.

And I don't like the whole big brother thing. Like terrorists can't get passports. But that''s a whole other story.

Voni
sMiling

DarrylRi

03-06-2006, 09:31 AM

$95.00

But soon we'll have NO choiceSo... time to go riding in the Alps? ;-)

Where a sKilometer is 6/10ths of a sMile.

Fritzc

03-06-2006, 12:55 PM

Ricky:
When you get to the Canadian border, just say to the officer: "I brought my passport, eh." You'll have no problems crossing. Rinty

Very funny! Just in case you do utter this unwise remark and the officer asks to see it, you had better have one or you are in for a long delay.
Now I have a question. When approaching Toronto from the West on 401 and near Milton, I believe there is an express or bypass around the Toronto. If my memory serves me, there is a toll that is applied by photographing your license plate and sending you a bill for the passage later. Is that correct or are there toll booths? Is it a good idea to use the bypass or just go through the city? :deal
I've found it is often easier to go THROUGH Chicago rather than trying to bypass the city and just wondered if the same was true for Toronto.
Thanks in advance for any advice! :dunno

marcopolo

03-06-2006, 06:26 PM

Very funny! Just in case you do utter this unwise remark and the officer asks to see it, you had better have one or you are in for a long delay.
Now I have a question. When approaching Toronto from the West on 401 and near Milton, I believe there is an express or bypass around the Toronto. If my memory serves me, there is a toll that is applied by photographing your license plate and sending you a bill for the passage later. Is that correct or are there toll booths? Is it a good idea to use the bypass or just go through the city? :deal
I've found it is often easier to go THROUGH Chicago rather than trying to bypass the city and just wondered if the same was true for Toronto.
Thanks in advance for any advice! :dunno

If memory serves, it's the 407 Toll Road, and yes, there are no toll booths -- cameras take a picture of your plate as you enter and exit the road. You then get a bill in the mail based on the distance travelled.

gened12

03-06-2006, 06:57 PM

It is good to be prepared. I carry my passport and when I cross I ask the official which ID they would prefer. Sometimes they specify, sometimes they say "It doesn't matter"

I have been fortunate to have had VERY easy border crossings. I have never had a problem.

If you look only half as nice as boxer girlie, the canadian officials will only ask for a smile and a valid driver's licence... If on the other hand you wear orange ears on your helmet like Brad.... I wouldn't count on crossing the Canadian border without spending at least 3-4 hour being grilled by customs officials... and leaving a heavy toll in the form of Cnandian beer heh!

Don't panic, canadians are a nice bunch, and dare I say... a tad less paranoid than our southern neigbours lol

Cheers

Denis R1200G (snow bound still but not ffor long)

gened12

03-06-2006, 07:00 PM

If memory serves, it's the 407 Toll Road, and yes, there are no toll booths -- cameras take a picture of your plate as you enter and exit the road. You then get a bill in the mail based on the distance travelled.

Just for your info, 407 is only good to you if you plan to transit through Toronto during rush hours. Save yourself some grief and travel on the 401 but during off peak hours. You can maintain a good clip 120km/h

Cheers

Denis R1200GS

cjack

03-06-2006, 08:12 PM

If you look only half as nice as boxer girlie, the canadian officials will only ask for a smile and a valid driver's licence...snip)

Actually those border guards are probably trained to look past a pretty face and a great personality...
Right 007?

BradfordBenn

03-06-2006, 08:36 PM

If you look only half as nice as boxer girlie, the canadian officials will only ask for a smile and a valid driver's licence... If on the other hand you wear orange ears on your helmet like Brad.... I wouldn't count on crossing the Canadian border without spending at least 3-4 hour being grilled by customs officials... and leaving a heavy toll in the form of Cnandian beer heh!
Denis R1200G (snow bound still but not ffor long)

So what happens when we cross the border together? :dunno

Montauk

03-06-2006, 09:21 PM

Fritzc

03-06-2006, 09:48 PM

gets conjusted between the hours 7am to 7pm I'd say. If you get in around this hour, take the 407, or you might do this... Take the QEW going towards downtown, since everyone is coming from downtown, I'd imagine it would be less conjusted, then take the Don Valley Parkway (DVP), which will intersect with Hwy 401 just north of Don Mills, and south of Markham.
Thanks for the advice.
Seems to me that following the KISS principle and being from out of town, I'll take the 407 toll road. I'll just charge everything and pay it when I get home. If I get run over by a truck, my wife can worry about the bills. :clap

dlearl476

03-06-2006, 10:17 PM

I will say that with how much I travel the Passport does come in handy. It is a second form of ID that I keep seperate from my license... just in case.

Second that. Plus you don't get fancy souvenir stamps on your DL or Birth Certificate!
I'm on my second passport, and you can do them online now. Print all the paperwork, attach a couple of pics, simply hand them in @ the Post Office.
I mailed mine, but IIRC, you can only do that for a renewal. I believe you have to "testify" to the post office as to the veracity of your statements, the first time.

gened12

03-07-2006, 01:22 PM

So what happens when we cross the border together? :dunno

Ok Brad, assuming you and boxer girlie attempt to cross the border at the same time, this is what will happen. They will let her through with a smile and her driver's licence ;) and then will confiscate your ears (we have a law to protect endangered species) and your motorcyle (we also have a law against the cruel treatment of fine motorcycles...) :nono Then being nice people afterall they would probably let you go.

Hope that helps your trip planning exercise :laugh

Go well and don't sweat about traveling up north (except for the bugs!)

Cheers

Denis R1200GS

BradfordBenn

03-07-2006, 05:22 PM

So you were at the border when we went up to the Loon Rally in 2004 I see :laugh

paulfinney2

03-07-2006, 08:08 PM

Another thing - radar detectors are illegal in Canada, and will be confiscated at the border. You don't get them back.

Canadians are a little less paranoid than Mexicans, but a whole lot less paranoid than we in the USA. (Americans just doesn't seem to apply in that sentence.)

widebmw

03-07-2006, 08:57 PM

Radar dectectors are not illegal in all of Canada, only in some provinces.
They will not be confiscated at the border.
The local police may, if they are illegal at their location.

Another thing - radar detectors are illegal in Canada, and will be confiscated at the border. You don't get them back.

Canadians are a little less paranoid than Mexicans, but a whole lot less paranoid than we in the USA. (Americans just doesn't seem to apply in that sentence.)

gened12

03-08-2006, 10:21 AM

So you were at the border when we went up to the Loon Rally in 2004 I see :laugh

I would love to hear what happened... :lurk

cheers

Denis R1200GS
(member of the grounders...(those who are grounded because of snow)

Montauk

03-08-2006, 01:29 PM

Radar detectors are illegal in Ontario! While the customs people might advise you of that, but they will not confisicate it from you, however, Police will, either it is local or OPP (Ontario Provincial Police).

From what I know, cops love to brag (with their colleagues) about their prize (catching a guy with a radar detector) ... source: OPP friend.

I've also heard (from a trucker who got ticketed and lost the device) that they have detectors to detect radar detectors.

Although I know this, I tend to still use it in my car while on Hwy 401 (more crowded than some rural roads), and it gets kindda camouflaged by other cars, especially with American plates. Mine's Valentine1, and is wired up, so there is no power cord hanging to make it less conspicuous. But that doesn't fly well on a bike. :bluduh