I to believe that if the gov wants everyone to have them they should be given at their (gov) expense. I have 4 children and me and my husband included, passports are quite expensive for all of us going on a cruise, there should be some kind of financial obligation of the gov for passports.

Posted By Robin on September 13, 2007, 8:57 PM

The question was whether we should be required to have a passport to visit CANADA, not generally. As the first poster noted, the border is thousands of miles long and entirely unprotected over 99% of it. Therefore, it's silly to require a passport. (For the vast majority of other countries, it makes sense.)

Posted By Aaron on September 13, 2007, 9:18 PM

I don't know about needing a passport to cross into canada, but I never plan to cross that boreder again in anything other than a plane. After a cruise out of Vancouver last week imigrations stoped all the cruise line buses from the 2 returning ships to seattle and unloaded them one at a time makeing all passengers claim their luggage and go throught imigration. taking us just under 3 hours to cross the border several of us missed our flights home and that cost the two of us $225 to change flights and get a room because the next flight was not till the next day. Do I feel any safer NO. Do I desire to travel again NO. the trip which should have lasted about 4 hours took us 8.

Posted By cheryl on September 17, 2007, 1:20 PM

A passport is a fairly cheap excellent source of identification. It's good for 10 years, so it costs only about $7.50 a year - not difficult to obtain. Just takes a little planning in advance. I had no intention of "foreign" travel when I applied for mine, I just wanted a passport. Have since made several trips to Canada and was very pleased to have it. We may be inconvenienced by some of the requirements for our security, but do we not want to take every step necessary for our own protection?

Posted By Libbie K. Landers on September 17, 2007, 1:21 PM

I think getting a passport is a minor inconvenience toward trying to keep Terrorists out. We know that they probably get in other ways but, at least we're not making it as easy for them. I do feel that passports are too expensive, but isn't everything the government has its hands in???? The middle class people are always the ones who have to pay!

Posted By NIKKI REED on September 17, 2007, 1:23 PM

Yes, Canada and Mexico are foreign countries. Traveling from US to either should be treated just as traveling to Europe, Asia, or Africa. Until we are truly united as one world passports should be required whenever you are traveling out of the United States.

Posted By IKE on September 17, 2007, 1:24 PM

Obviously anyone who is in favor of the requirement of a passport to walk across the Mexican border back to the USA has never actually done that. It is already a mess- and thats the only word for it..Folks as it is right now, it already can take up to an hour to WALK across the mexican /usa border at San Ysidro , and some time MUCH longer ( once I waited 3 hours ). Add a passport requiremnet and it will just be that much worse! Fix this problem first and then we can talk about a passport requirement.( And yes I have a passport )

Posted By carlos on September 17, 2007, 1:36 PM

Of course we should have a passport for identification. It is the times we are living in. Most people spend more on lattes in a few months than they have to spend for a 10 year passport. I don't consider it an intrusion on privacy.

Posted By Marilyn on September 17, 2007, 1:37 PM

My husband was refused a passport because of past child support payments. His daughter is 30 years old. What does this have to do with getting a passport.

Diane
Chicago, IL

Posted By Diane on September 17, 2007, 1:40 PM

I do not know what the problem is with people that do not want to get a passport, if it keeps one bad person from coming into our great country that is great, the cost is a bit high for somepeople but is a safety feature. Bad people could enter Canada then into our country if they do not need them..A few years ago we crossed into Mexico and back in one day, could not believe the backup of people and all they did at that time was ask if we were citizens. Who knows who could of sneaked in.

Posted By Dee Jay Koscielski on September 17, 2007, 1:44 PM

We as Americans take our freedoms for granted. All of the European Union Nations require passports for travel within other EU Nations. We are behind the times and yes like all new travel regulations this will take some getting used to. I wonder what Canada, Mexico, The Bahamas, etc. think of Americans not needing Passport to enter thier countries but thier citizens needing them to enter ours? I think that in this Global world Passports shoud be required whenever anyone enters America. Drivers licenses are too easy to come by. Also whatever happend to being excited to get stamps and fill up your passports?

Posted By Meredith on September 17, 2007, 1:49 PM

We used to be proud of our open borders. Now we live in fear. Fear does not protect us. Our rules and regulations are creating an unhealthy "us" versus "them" mentality. Our walls are doing as much to keep "us" in as to keep "them" out. I am saddened by the growth of Fortress America. I would not require a passport to enter or come back from Canada.

Posted By James W on September 17, 2007, 1:55 PM

When travelling in another country, you should have identification that is legal in that country. A driver's license from the U.S. might be useful for the car rental companies, but it is hardly legal identification in other countries. For one thing, a driver's license does not prove citizenship, it only proves that you have passed a driving test. A passport proves what country you are from and it is internationally standardized so almost everybody in the world recognizes what it is. And it is the only standardized national identification that I know of in the U.S.

Posted By Duane on September 17, 2007, 2:11 PM

Passports may or may not be a good idea from Canada and Mexico but can someone please explain the requirement for a passport being valid for 6 months after return from many countries? Seems to me a 10 year passport is only a 9-1/2 year passport.

Posted By Carl Ondry on September 17, 2007, 2:15 PM

I don't have a problem with getting or showing a passport. It makes me feel secure when traveling. I only wish that that more people were examined even more closely than they are when boarding airplanes, cruises, etc. I've got nothing to hide and anyone who doesn't should realize it only keeps everyone safer.

The government cannot be responsible to provide passports at no charge. Don't you have to pay for your driver's license if you want to drive? Likewise, if you want to travel abroad you must pay for your passport. It's a right and a privilege.

Posted By Amber on September 17, 2007, 2:19 PM

It used to be a real treat to travel in to and out of Canada for families traveling near the border. Now for a family with three or four children they cannot travel across the International bridge to see Niagara Falls from both sides. This is one of the marvelous treats that children can enjoy. When they grow older they will always remember the grandeur of the trip and at that time if they have develped an interest in traveling they can afford a passport. In the meantime it can cost a family with several children a sizeable amount to give them (or deprive them of) a beautiful experience and the opportunity of getting to know our friendly neighbors.
In some areas along the border this can also be a lesson in the history of the Revolutionary War and how we were able to come to a peaceful settlement.

Posted By charlotte lahr on September 17, 2007, 2:34 PM

I do not mind having to use a passport, but if it is manditory, make it affordable for all citizens to obtain one....$95.00 is outrageous.

Posted By Diane Sievers on September 17, 2007, 2:41 PM

Why are you even reading a travel blog if your complaining it's too inconvenient for you to get a passport? How can you be considered a traveler if you never leave the United States? People complain just to complain.

Posted By ERY on September 17, 2007, 3:04 PM

I'm responding to the person who asked about the 6-month validity requirement. It's not the U.S., it's other countries (although maybe we do it to other countries' citizens too, I don't know). Basically if you have less than 6 months on your passport the other country won't allow you to enter. This isn't true for all countries but for a lot of the developing ones, it is. The rationale is because if you are going to go for a week or a month or something, you could stay longer, and you have the danger of out-staying your passport. And the authorities won't be able to find you easily, and you won't be legal.

I've grown up with a passport, so to me it's simple, you travel internationally, you have a passport. Even if you don't need it - border crossing between countries that aren't secured borders, it's not just in Canada and the U.S., there are similarly-uncontrolled borders between France and Germany, between Ghana and Togo, etc. But it IS protection for you, even if you don't need it - once you are there, what if you travel beyond that border town? What if there's a coup or insurrection or natural disaster or terrorist attack, the passport helps to establish your identity, if you turn up at a consulate or embassy they will know you belong there, and if you need to get back in a hurry it will expedite your passage at the border if it's in a different place than where you crossed - or if that border, because of events, has become a patrolled one. Unlikely, sure, but I have seen it happen literally overnight.

Posted By Valerie on September 17, 2007, 3:13 PM

Yes, anytime you leave this country- you should have a passport.Your id is the one of the to have when traveling.
Same for anyone ENTERING this country. They should be required to have a passport from their home country.

Posted By Doris M. Rankin on September 17, 2007, 3:16 PM

Hello,
We were originally supposed to have a passport to travel to Canada, Mexico or the Carribean if you don' fly by January of 2008. I heard over the news that since the U.S. Passport bureau has been bogged down with passports to fly into these countries that they have an extension of 1 year on passports to walk, take the train, cruise ship etc. to Canada, Mexico or Carribean Islands because of this backlog. Of course, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands will never require a passport but for 'other than air travel' the restrictions have been lifted till January of 2008. Leave it to our government to bog down a sector of itself by requiring passports to our neighbors on short notice. I myself will be getting one this year since it serves as a second ID and will be required for overseas travel.
Take the scenic route Via Rail Canada and AMTRAK links and enjoy while you can.
Andy

Posted By Andrew Austin on September 17, 2007, 3:57 PM

Every American citizen should have a passport.The cost should be subsidized or paid for by the government. Passports should be mandatory whenever leaving or re-entering the country, and required when applying for city, state, or federal employment. Non-citizens may use their own country's passports for the same purposes. Non-governmental employers should have the option of requesting a passport.

Posted By Betty J. Acosta on September 17, 2007, 4:06 PM

Yes, I think an American citizen should have a passport to travel to Canada and back. First, it is an internationally recognized form of ID so that Canada will know that you are a U.S. citizen. Second, it is your identification while traveling within Canada. Third, when returning, it proves to the U.S. border guard that you are a U.S. citizen. Drivers licenses are not standardized between states and in some cases there are frequent changes. Birth certificates are not standardized. Let the border guards check a standardized ID to make their job easier and to make it quicker for more people to cross the border so you don't have to wait in line as long.

Also, as far as I know, the U.S. doesn't make money on the passport process. The government has enough trouble with their budget as it is, so don't expect them to subsidize passports because this proverbial "them" is you or me or some poor soul that doesn't want to travel. I realize it is a fairly large amount of money for a larger family, so I guess it will have to be budgeted into the trip. You might have to wait a year or two for that international trip, but there is plenty to see and do within our country.

And last but not least, I feel more comfortable having a passport when traveling. If something happens then there will be no question about who I am and where I belong.

Posted By Duane on September 17, 2007, 4:26 PM

Yes, I think an American citizen should have a passport to travel to Canada and back. First, it is an internationally recognized form of ID so that Canada will know that you are a U.S. citizen. Second, it is your identification while traveling within Canada. Third, when returning, it proves to the U.S. border guard that you are a U.S. citizen. Drivers licenses are not standardized between states and in some cases there are frequent changes. Birth certificates are not standardized. Let the border guards check a standardized ID to make their job easier and to make it quicker for more people to cross the border so you don't have to wait in line as long.

Also, as far as I know, the U.S. doesn't make money on the passport process. The government has enough trouble with their budget as it is, so don't expect them to subsidize passports because this proverbial "them" is you or me or some poor soul that doesn't want to travel. I realize it is a fairly large amount of money for a larger family, so I guess it will have to be budgeted into the trip. You might have to wait a year or two for that international trip, but there is plenty to see and do within our country.

And last but not least, I feel more comfortable having a passport when traveling. If something happens then there will be no question about who I am and where I belong.

Posted By Duane on September 17, 2007, 4:35 PM

I think it is about time that United States caught up with the rest of the world by making passports mandatory. This time the goverment got it right.

Posted By Cathy Burger on September 17, 2007, 4:45 PM

I think as Americans, we are fence walkers. We want to have security and terrorism protection, but we don't want to be inconvienienced by the solutions. I knew at the time of the attacks of 9/11 that things would never be the same, we can't ever feel truly safe-so ever little measure helps.

Posted By MACHELLE KUEKER on September 17, 2007, 5:08 PM

I think it's important to remind people that this new regulation would not have kept a single one of the 9/11 terrorists from accomplishing their heinous act. The bad guys will always find a way around the rules.

Posted By Peter on September 17, 2007, 6:07 PM

Our world has changed! And for that reason, we should require a passport from anyone entering the U.S. This is not to inconvenience American citizens, but to deter terrorists.

Posted By Jeanette Abbott on September 17, 2007, 7:39 PM

Just another example of government bureaucrats with nothing better to do. You can buy a fake passport easily, or even buy a stolen one. Inreases delay at border because there are not enough border agents (especially at southern border) to spend the minute required for their (pathetically slow) computers to verify the information. With 300 million annual border crossings at the southern border alone, this just increases the chaos, which our enemies know how to take advantage of.

Posted By JUAN SALINAS on September 17, 2007, 8:13 PM

Yesterday I was told I had to have a passort to drive across the Canadian border. I checked the federal website and found that until September 30, I have to have proof that I have applied. As of October 1, 2007, I have to have the actual passport to cross. Even if I entered Canada before October 1, I have to have it to cross back! So, I had to apply and pay the expediting fees even though I did not need the passport when my trip was purchesed 4 months ago!

Posted By D King on September 17, 2007, 9:52 PM

George Orwell's Big Brother is here. I'm not a conspiracy nut, but with computer databases that are in operation now, Your Entire Life is accessible from a CIA computer - without your agreement or knowledge. Think about it. The average US citizen really has no privacy anymore. The govt knows who and where the terrorists are, they don't need passports to find them. But no one really cares, we just care about Britney & Paris' latest drunken tryst, or some old ex-sport star's run-in with the law.

Posted By Mike on September 17, 2007, 11:29 PM

in the environment we now
live passport should be a
requirement for border crossing.

Posted By Glenn M. snaggs on September 18, 2007, 3:59 AM

I live in Michigan and cross the Canadian border every week and I think it is a good idea to have passports. It is amazing how many are caught trying to cross illegaly into the U.S>

Posted By Robert Born on September 18, 2007, 6:26 AM

To the person who wants the Gov to pay for her passport, where does the Gov get the money? From Us! You pay for it anyway.

We have had relatively open borders for over 100 years with no problems. What changed? We decided to tell the world how to run their countries. We made enemies with our foreign policy. Read the Congressional 9/11 report.

Passports only annoy the eople who cross the border legally. They don't stop the "bad guys" who will find ways around it as they always have (forgery, stolen passports, crossing away from border crossings, etc.)

And why are they demanding Us citizens have passports while opening the borders with the NAU and NAFTA?

Posted By Mike Z on September 18, 2007, 9:56 AM

What's wrong with requiring a Passport for Candaian and Mexican border crossings. I live in Michigan and cross the the Canadian border frequently. It certainly speeds up the crossing process when one has a passport. If you need a passport to go on a cruise with your family remember it is for your protection and if you feel the cost of a passport is xpensive, then maybe you should forego the cruise.

Posted By Dennis Brovont on September 18, 2007, 10:46 AM

I live in Minnesota and go fishing in Canada each year, at Intrernational Falls, Minneasota hundreds of Canadians cross the boarder to purchase gas and food in the U.S.each day, Do they have to have a passport?

Posted By Robert S. Brown on September 18, 2007, 12:15 PM

Dear Robert,
No they don't. Not yet.
Thanks for participating,
Sean

Posted By Blog Editor on September 18, 2007, 12:16 PM

There would be no need for passports related to entering Canada or Mexico if the U.S., in its mindless pursuit of "visible national security", hadn't imposed the need for travellers coming to the States by any means to have passports.

If you do not believe the terrorists have won, just look at the way we all now are forced to keep looking over our shoulders to see where the "bogey man" is!!

Passports, although a reasonable way in which to identify a person, are not foolproof, but since they are all we have I suppose we have to keep on using them.

Posted By Geoffrey Hampson on September 18, 2007, 8:40 PM

It is ridiculous to need a passport to go to Canada with it's 3000 mi. border and with it's people so much like US people. As for Washington with Members of Congress so out of touch with the American people, I don't know.

Posted By Eugene D. Alexander on September 19, 2007, 11:12 PM

we the people of the USA are given a certificate of birth and a social security number we should now include passports then there are no hassles for us to get one and this would cut out the ones trying to get fakes and I also think the are to exspencive and to hard to get and to many departments to go through it needs to be simple government makes things to difficult

Posted By Nell on September 21, 2007, 5:55 PM

This passport requirement is absolutly redicules

Posted By Richard Rizzio on November 8, 2007, 12:31 PM

When I decided to go to Mexico in February 2007, the law had went into effect in January 2007 that a passport was required. I had it expedited because I knew I didn't have much time to wait for it via regular mail. It cost me almost twice the amount of $97.00. I thought it was ridiculous that it costs so much. Now, even the $97.00 is too much. I believe that consumers should get a refund on the amount they paid less the amount of actual cost or the government should pay for them if they want Americans to have them.

Posted By Penny on November 8, 2007, 12:57 PM

Unfortunatly the passports are contracted out to someplace in New England. It used to be a Federal employee who did the work. I'll bet that politics and favors make up most of the proccessing costs.

I have had a passport both official and personal for decades. My wife had a diplomatic one before she met me. None of the official passports have fees for the user. Just the peons have to pay.

And I agree on the short change on six months. Solution is to make the time period ten and a half years. They will be useless for the last six months but then at the end of ten years it can be renewed. It would make it easier on everyone to have a same date for each renewal.

I have also "visited" Europe without a passport. Uncle in his wisdom sent me there with military orders. I traveled through Germany, Austria, France, Luxemburg and England while ther on a copy of military orders.

So I have returned many times since with a passport. The orders were easier, and with occupation plates it got me to the top of the queue many times. No, there is no longer occupation status for military. That was in the fifties.

Posted By duke on November 8, 2007, 1:02 PM

Passports for Canada? ABSOLUTELY! We should have passports and should require passports from all visitors, regardless of where they/we are from or are going. And, we should enforce the law! My convenience is not worth the risk!

Posted By Lanny Farmer on November 8, 2007, 1:12 PM

I think all countries should require passports from persons seeking entrance. Period.

Canada and Mexico are not just other states. They are foreign countries. Passports should be required in both directions.

Posted By Fran on November 8, 2007, 1:18 PM

It's ridiculous to require passports to go to and from Canada. It's very time consuming and serves no real purpose. Illegals come in everywhere and we do very little about it. Instead of stopping terrorist sand illegal aliens we're just inconveniencing American citizens.

Posted By J>A> tadevic on November 8, 2007, 1:19 PM

My dear US and Canadian friends..
PLEASE Do not allow yourselves`or your "Democratic" Govts., to continue down this path, with a one size fits all Citizens and Undesireables alike Policy, whilst masking increases to Govt., coffers!
Why do I ask this?:
I'm a Rep.Of Ireland Citizen, Living in the Mid East-for now, and many of the criticisms your Govt. has of other Govts., is plain double stds.!
(ONE SIZE FITS~ALL!)
If you're a Taxpayer,(which I'm not here-so no complaint about local fees!), then surely your Govt.,pays additional admin from your tax contributions in All its Citizens interests?!
My earlier point about being Irish is to remind your Govt's., that Immigration helped make/shape your Great Countries, but that thins out to a watery/milky like substance over time(may even go sour!), if you do not keep to your Constitutional values!
(NO ROOM FOR ANY MORE DOUBBLE STDS. Paddy!,-Dubai U.A.E.)

Posted By Gus Gannon on November 8, 2007, 1:26 PM

Currently I am a permanent
resident and can't wait when
I will be eligible to get an
American PASSPORT. I will be
very proud of myself that I
am an American citizen and I would pay right now one
thousand dollars if I can get
it sooner. And it's not about traveling abroad, but about
my pride to be an American
citizen!
And it's a shame that people don't want to spend $100
to get the passport while
spending thousands dollars
on their pets.
Moreover, how did you dare to ignore security's issue.

Posted By Iraida Dizer on November 8, 2007, 1:29 PM

I THINK A PICTURE ID AND YOUR BIRTH CERTIFCATE IS ALL YOU NEED. A CLASS OF 8TH GRADER WANT TO GO TO CANADA FOR A WEEK. THIS IS AN EXPENSE MANY CAN NOT DO.

Posted By DELORES MORAN on November 8, 2007, 1:33 PM

My opposition is not to requiring a passport, but being able to read a chip in US passports and single out the fact you're an American! Not optimal in this world, particularily since we've made more people dislike Americans...
We cannot police either the border with Canada or Mexico, so let the government spend a bit of that surplus fee monies to do something about that. Passports won't keep the bad guys out, just like gun laws don't protect the innocent. They will find a way to enter the country or buy the gun.

Posted By Pat Rohm on November 8, 2007, 1:36 PM

Should Canada "with it's people so much like US people" as Mr. Alexander stated, be exempt from passport requirements? What makes Canada different or special from Mexico? or any other foreign country? Maybe Mr. Alexander hasn't been to Canada lately... on my last visit to Toronto nearly 6 years ago, I discoverd the population to be as diverse as any city in the US, with immigrants from every country on the planet, including Africa, the Middle East, Mexico, South America.. you name it. Yes, Mr. Alexander, the Canadian people are "people so much like US people"... every color from every country in the world.

Posted By L M Christofilis on November 8, 2007, 1:54 PM

When it comes to safety, Life comes first. If having a passport will deter the evil, then fine. Overcharging families for passports is ridiculous. Many can not afford them.

What I find sad is anyone that kills another. What happened to Thou shalt not kill...

Is the passport going to prevent the criminal from having an easy passage way back and forth into our countries, YES!
Unfortunatly, this is not with out flaws and the criminal I'm sure will try and find that flaw.

Posted By Jamie on November 8, 2007, 1:58 PM

As one responder put it; if it stops one terrorist then the inconvenience is worth it. Of course we should have passports when entering ANY foreign country.

Posted By Charles Roberts on November 8, 2007, 2:01 PM

Diane in Chicago,

Your husband is a DEAD BEAT! He should be in Jail & not even allowed the privilege of walking around much less going abroad!

Yes to the necessity of getting passports. The time dictates who is allowed within our boundaries.

There are legal methods of getting such a document.

For Diane's husband, he need only past his past due obligation & then he can get the passport.

Posted By Susan on November 8, 2007, 2:06 PM

No one wants to be "inconvenienced" these days. But let something go wrong, and BAM. Whose fault is it? Get the passport and the time may come when you'll use it. It's also a good form of identification. Is it going to stop the terrorists? I don't think so, in this day and age. When I got mine at the court house, it was $45.00. The new fee is way out of line, but what are you going to do? Just buy one and it's over. Why debate.

Posted By Sally Wiese on November 8, 2007, 2:31 PM

The International Peace Arch stands proudly in the Northwest, between British Columbia and Washington. Like the Arch, I have footings in each country. With an American father and Canadian mother, I am saddened to see barriers, physical or notional, growing between our nations.
A decade or two ago, my sons routinely crossed the border for soccer, hockey and baseball competitions. Now, imagine Little Leaguers waiting in line for hours to have their passports and sports bags inspected.
Our world is not made safer by isolation. Look at Europe. Instead of spending millions of lives to defend or expand borders – as they’ve done throughout history – modern Europeans enjoy the benefits of free movement. Today, when Germans invade France, they use tour buses, not tanks.

Posted By Norm on November 8, 2007, 2:39 PM

It is not true that the US/
Canada border was the only international border that
did not require passports.
Passports are NOT required to travel between most EU
countries (at least by land
or sea). In our paranoid
view of the world, our
government bureraucrats seem to be afraid to work out an agreement with Canada that would allow
a more open border, Canada
need to tighten up its entry requirements and we
(the US needs to lighten up.
It is not so much as the passport requirement that
bothers me but that this
is the "camels nose under
the tent" which will mean more and more intrusive
government regulation in the name of perceived
"security".
Please do not get me wrong. I am not some anti-war nut. I just do not trust the control freaks in our society.
nt

Posted By Stephen L. Ancier on November 8, 2007, 2:52 PM

Positive ID for less than the cost of 2 large Starbucks coffee drinks a year?

Come on Americans! Once again, we are acting like spoiled brats. Europeans have to show ID going from country to country - it would be like us being stopped at the border of each state in case you haven't noticed the size comparison.

The world has changed and like it or not, we've got to protect ourselves like never before. There is the joke on the internet about how we can track our beef supply down to the cow in the stall, yet we don't know who is in our country - maybe we should give everyone a cow is the punch line... our passport is our "cow" and we should all have one.

Will it stop terrorism? No. They will just proliferate elsewhere. Will it make it more difficult for terrorists to move around in our country, I think yes.

Let's get on with it and quit complaining.

Oh, and the cost calculation? $100 divided by 10 years is $10 a year - just a couple of cups of coffee for knowing who is wandering around this great country of ours.

Posted By Carol White on November 8, 2007, 3:55 PM

What is the purpose of NAFTA? I was under the impression that it was like the European Union and would eventually make it easier to move between the US, Canada and Mexico.

Well now corporations have a free pass between the three nations but the citizens of the nations have to jump through the added hoop of getting a passport. Why politicians have decided to give coporations more rights than their individual citizens is beyond me.

Posted By Jimmy on November 8, 2007, 4:39 PM

We traveled for years to Canada sightseeing, skiing, etc before the birth certificates, then the passports were required.

Talk about a hassle getting a passport. My birth certificate that I had used for 72 years, (Army enlistment, marriage license, on previous border crossings, etc) wasn't accepted because it apparently was only a partial one. I then had to make numerous calls to my birth state and pay another fee to get a complete copy (which was accepted by the passport officials). This all took about 2 months to complete and my passport arrived only about a week before our scheduled prepaid ski vacation date.

My wife had gotten her passport a couple of years earlier for a short term missionary work in Japan.

Yes, it was expensive, and a hassle, but hopefully we'll use them for somewhere else eventually.

Posted By Russ Batcheler on November 8, 2007, 6:30 PM

I think it's ridiculous. The US-Canada border is over 5,000 miles long and spans wilderness, lakes, clusters of islands, Indian reservations, and one of the world's most famous waterfalls. It also divides towns, streets and even factories, libraries and private homes. I grew up in Buffalo, NY and Montreal, Quebec, two cities where border crossing was a way of life. It separates two countries which have been strong allies and trading partners since 1815 and which have similar security and admission standards and minimal numbers of people wanting to move illegally from one country to the other.

I suggest we work out a western-European Schengen-type with Canada to simply open the border and eliminate all border controls between the two countries. Let's prioritize the real issues, such as the US-Mexican border, the boatloads of people who routinely land undetected here in south Florida, and people who use false documents and overstay visas.

Canada and the US should combine their resources to screen people who enter the US-Canada land mass from other parts of the world.

Posted By Richard Rosichan on November 8, 2007, 6:37 PM

If it were ONLY Canada, I'd say absolutely no to passport usage. But unfortunately, we must contend with the opposite border where they come flowing across like plagues of lemmings, and that requires that we say passports in ALL cases. It's a darned shame,but the reality of a world where people are trying to kill Americans of ANY kind, in ANY way possible!

Posted By Morris Schrock on November 8, 2007, 7:04 PM

This is very typical of the US Gov. If you look at the big picture, the law abiding citizens are the only ones getting a passport, the bad guys and the illegals are just running the boarder. How is this keeping us safe again?

Posted By Art H. on November 8, 2007, 9:32 PM

First I'd like to comment on the woman who missed her plane because the Canadians unloaded the ship to send everyone through customs. Last summer I drove across the border to Canada and it took 4 hours to get over (the crossing booth was always in site) and ten minutes to get back to the US...it's not the passport rules that cause these delays.

Secondly, I don't understand why Americans, and all North Americans in general, are so up in arms about having to obtain a passport to cross the border. I think its about time Americans joined the rest of the world in having to have proper documentation to cross borders. Even within the EU, you need to either hold a special card or have a passport. Even if the card is significantly cheaper, did you want to share currency and basic citizenship with Canada and Mexico? Canada is a foreign country just like any European country, be ready to show your passport when you cross.

Posted By Denisia on November 8, 2007, 10:25 PM

I THINK THE FEE IS TO HIGH.
PEOPLE IN AMERICA ARE IN
BAD SHAPE. HIGH TAX'S AND
GAS PRICES. PEOPLE ARE FIND
IT HARD TO LIVE ALREADY.

Posted By ROBINSON, ROBERT on November 9, 2007, 7:36 AM

The only reason I'd say "yes" is so I could get another stamp in my passport.

Posted By Scott on November 9, 2007, 11:20 AM

I do not believe people from the United States should be forced to get passports. It is very expensive and when you have family living in Canada to visit can get very costly with just the expense of gas. For more security purposes add better security to New York State Drivers License in order to cross border. And children can get a non-driver license for security - that is a much lower cost than for everyone to have to get passports especially families. And if you never travel elsewhere in the country that is very costly to get a passport just to cross from New York State to Canada! There must be a more cost effective way.

Posted By Kim on November 9, 2007, 11:21 AM

I had no objection to obtaining a passport when I chose to go abroad. However, I have a great problem with being coerced into being required to have a passport for interstate travel.

It's a simple solution to a complex problem. When in doubt it seems government wants to hassel people for no appreciable reason.

I doubt obtaining a passport will magicaly prevent people from flying airplanes into buildings.

If people suggest a national identity card, I would say we have one, called a U.S. Passport.

There is a question to be asked from our neighbors to the north. Are Canadians required to obtain passports if they travel South? What if they stay home? Let's compare their practices and make a judgement.

Posted By david reno on November 9, 2007, 12:09 PM

We have survived as a country for decades without requiring passports to cross the border to Canada. I don't see how that will save us now. Nor do I see how removing my shoes and being disallowed to carry my own water bottle at the airport will save our country. Someone is profitting from these new regulations, but it isn't the average citizen. And, I'd wager we haven't become any safer as a result either.

Posted By Glen Phillips on November 9, 2007, 1:24 PM

We have over 11 million who have entered illegially without any papers, yet we who were born and raised here and were always able to cross are the ones who are punished and have to pay the price. What is happening to our freedom?

Posted By Lee Nelsen on November 9, 2007, 3:58 PM

I think that real question is "Do we in the US want people who enter the US from Canada to have passports?"

If the only people entering the US from Canada were Canadian citizens and returning US citizens, then no problem.

However, it is much easier for a person from a 3rd country to enter Canada than it is for that person to enter the US directly. Once the person from the 3rd country is in Canada, then the only way that we can check them when they enter the US is by checking everyone.

Posted By Doug Bryant on November 10, 2007, 10:08 PM

the question shouldn't be about needing a passport to go to Canada. THe question should be, WHY WOULD ANYONE WANT TO GO TO CANADA????

Posted By jerry on November 13, 2007, 6:23 PM

I think it is outrageous for our government offices doing such a hideous thing of overcharging American Citizens for their passports. Our country is in an economic crisis now because of the oil situation and you would think a governmental office would be more sympathetic to their citizens. What are they doing with the overage they charged? Are they lining their own pockets? Give the American Citizen's a break please.

Posted By Mimi on November 22, 2007, 9:57 AM

Since determined terrorists can most definitely enter the U.S. if they wish, it serves no useful purpose to requre a passport to travel to and from Canada. The idea that showing a passport at the border will protect the U.S. from terrorist attacks is misguided. Requiring passports only adds unneeded hassle and expense for millions when you're only trying to weed out a handful of people. This is overkill at best. At worst, it gives people a false sense of security - like many who have posted here. It's a real shame that Americans who live in the mythical "home of the brave" are so eager to clutch any false hope for perceived safety. And it's really a shame that those U.S. citizens who live in states that border Canada can't use an enhanced driver's license or identity card that indicates U.S. citizenship at a small cost. Where is our igenuity gone? Surely there are alternatives to the passport that would serve the same purpose. I have held a valid passport for many years and always carried it with me, whether it was required or not - just in case. If doing something serves no logical purpose, then I don't agree with doing it. Since requiring passports to travel to/from Canada doesn't do anything for us , a passport should not be required to enter or leave.

Posted By Denise - Orlando, FL on December 11, 2007, 11:20 AM

If we can't trust our neighbor we may as well build the wall of china between us. It's true we are led into a false sense of security by buracrats to justify their existance and promote their cornyism empire. As a forigner, I travelled 7 countries within Europe and didn't have to show a passport, as a matter of fact we crossed borders without even realizing it, only to come back home and have to put up with this BS to visit family and friends in my own backyard. Is this what we call CIVILIZATION. I agree we should be protecting the borders of the contenintal North America and cut the cronyism on both sides of the Canada US border.

Posted By Mike on February 5, 2008, 11:42 AM

I don't think it should be necessary. I've been to Canada a few times, and needing a form of ID an birth certificate was bad enough. Needing a passport would just be more to worry about. plus all the money involved. it's bad enough too with the gas prices.

Posted By Peter J. Wager on July 28, 2008, 10:28 AM