Crossing International Borders (Canada and Mexico) with a Baby

As a travel agent I can tell you this much, you can leave the USA without a passport but you will not get back into the country without one. This applies to all travelers not just adults. And it is best to get the baby her/his own because then they can travel with either parent. Years ago they just added the baby to Mom or Dad's passport but then they had to always travel with that parent.

Getting a passport can take some time so if you want to travel this summer you need to get started now.

As a travel agent we always recommend getting passports. Ive dealt with cruisers that dont wanna spend the money so I suggest passport cards which are only valid for cruising and crossing land borders, such as Canada and Mexico (not flying). Passports cost more, and for kids expires sooner and all, but think of it this way... should something happen where ever you are you will be able to fly home without worrying if you will be allowed back in to the US. Emphasis on FLY.

My sister is divorced and has to get letters from the ex about traveling for more then a certain amount of days, she hasn't crossed borders yet, but its crazy how that works and good to have a note just in case.

Good Luck.

We only go to Canada so we got the passport cards instead of the typical one it's cheaper especially for a child since they expire sooner. Both parents have to be present and sign the passport application (we did ours at the post office) I know you're married but I always get a notarized letter (my town clerk does them) from my ex. It's only $3 here. I would hate to be at the border and be questioned. We never have been but i like the added security of having it in the case that I am questioned.

It is now required that you carry a passport to travel across the border. Which means the whole family needs them. I got passports for my girls when they were 2. Even though you still pay the full amount to get children passports (I think- cannot remember for sure), they expire sooner. So yes, you will need to take your baby in to get passport photos and she will use the same passport until she is 5.

Actually, my Phoenix location is a myth...I live in Calgary now and have crossed the US / Canadian border a lot this past year.

Your baby MUST have a valid passport. Period. Better get that one rolling.

If the parents travel together you all will be able to enter and re-enter the US.

If the parents travel separately you MUST have written consent from non-accompanying parent with all contact info for a child this age (meaning non-speaking; non-verbal). Believe me they WILL stop you at the border and ask. And they will call the non-accompanying parent.

I've had it happen with my 8 year old daughter this past summer. It was a lengthy conversation with the border crossing guards. We both had our passports, we were in our RV with dog, they completely checked the entire RV, then asked us to come inside and I was instructed to not say a word, as in coaching my daughter with answers. And she could not answer a single question. So they called my husband.

I checked online and this is what I found @ http://www.gonorthwest.com/Visitor/planning/border/childr...:

Children who are U.S. citizens visiting Canada must, in accordance with U.S. laws, carry their own valid passports. Children visiting Canada with one parent, their grandparents or in the company of friends or non-custodial family members are also required to carry written authorization for travel from the other parent or custodial family members. This letter of authorization is in addition to the proof of citizenship (birth certificate) they must produce upon entering the country.

My family and I travel to Canada every summer. Children under the age of 16 can use their original birth certificate. We have five children so buying passports for all at once would be very expensive! Plus they are only good for 5 yrs for kids I believe. My husband and I have them. We've never had any issues. You probably would need something from your husband if you are traveling across the border without him.

When I have visited Canada and Mexico I always had a passport for my daughter. The cruises I was on always had me have notarized authorization from her dad. The first time in Canada, the woman at customs helped put words in my mouth..."so you are her only parent"??? Off we went, this was ten years ago though. It was easier to go to Europe.

The baby will need some form of identification. If you get a passport, they are good for five years. I think you might can travel with a certified birth certificate for the baby if it is only to Canada, but if you plan on going anywhere else internationally, I'd go ahead and get the passport. You have to have both parents apply for the passport, so kidnapping definitely isn't an issue if you travel with the passport. I have to renew my son's this summer and it comes in handy for school records in addition to the travel we do.

Here's a link for you http://www.babycenter.com/404_does-my-baby-need-a-passpor....
Every U.S. citizen, including infants, needs a passport to cross borders. This includes going to Canada . You will all need passports to cross the border.

We live right near the Niagara Falls Canadian boarder and have crossed quite frequently in the past... when they were really cracking down and not accepting adult birth certificates any more, i called the boarder directly and they said any child under 16 (or 18? can't remember) only needs their original birth certificate... that's what we've always used for our 12 year old and the past few times for our 18 month olds too. But you definitely will need a passport or enhanced license - my husband & I have enhanced licenses and they are very easy to use and fit right our wallets to have at all times.

Without your husband, you DEFINITELY should have a signed note giving you permission that also includes a contact # for him... my husband had trouble the first time he brought my step-daughter across and they said he needs a letter each time she crosses the boarder or they might not let us through (no matter if we have passports or not!)... they just want proof the other parent knows you're taking the child out of the country. We just hand it over with the EDLs and birth certificates and half the time they don't even read it... we've never had it notorized and they've never given us a problem, but i guess it can't hurt!

Yes! I know I had to get a passport to go to Canada this July. You can not get in without one. It will take about 6 to 8 weeks to get one. Unless you pay a BIG fee and rush it. I just received mine after 6 weeks. Traveling now Mexico with a 5 month old with all that is going on over there right now is not a good idea. With all the diseases and she being so little. Not good.This is MY opionion.

I don't know the answer to your question, but whenever I hear of people wanting to travel to Mexico these days- especially driving, I feel really nervous for the people. It's so dangerous right now.

http://www.city-data.com/forum/san-antonio/1274597-how-sa...

Your baby needs a passport to travel to Mexico or Canada.

Once you have a passport, you don't need the signed consent form from the other parent. I took my daughter to Mexico in March with a passport and was never asked for any consent from her father.

I'd get the passport. You both need to be present to apply for the passport (with the child) or you need a notarized form from the absent parent. My DD has had a passport since she was 10 months old. If you travel w/o your husband, you need a notarized letter from him saying he knows you are taking the kid to Canada.

I've taken my son to Central America many times. All you need is his passport. I've done it with and without my husband and everything was fine.

And Mexico is not dangerous! You just have to know where to go.

Bring the baby's birth certificate with you but I have travelled alone with my daughter across the border many times and we don't even have the same last name and it's always been fine. He/she WILL need a passport however.

I'm glad everybody has had GOOD experiences traveling into Canada without their spouse. I went through Canada with my 5 year old (within the last year) and 6 mos pregnant (and yes, my daughter had a passport). My husband was (is) deployed and they gave me a FIT at the border...."Does your husband know you're leaving the country with your child??!!" "Uh, YES, and if you look at my BAGS we have enough for a LONG WEEKEND.... not FIVE suitcases trying to run away!!" I immediately got pulled over and searched. They, too, said that we needed a "note" from my husband stating that he "knew that his child was being taken out of the country". They said NOTHING about the note being notarized (which I found odd...) So, I guess I could have run to the car behind me, or doodled up a note with my left hand and it would have been ok. Ridiculous. Just a "heads up"...

I live near the Canadian border and yes, you need a passport to travel there for everyone. Actually, you can get into Canada without one but can't get back into the US unless you have one. You can get a passport card thru the DMV for your child though if you are traveling by car. It's a lot cheaper then a regular passport (I think they are about $60 as apposed to a passport which is about $125). I suggest you take their birth certificate with you also, just in case, although I have never known anyone to be stopped at the border because they are a single parent transporting a child over the border since no ID needs to be shown until you are coming back into the US.

You need a passport for the baby. I believe you need a signed and notarized consent from your husband, since he won't be with you.

go get a passport asap