My husband is being stationed up in AK we are driving so we have to go thru Canada. Do I need a passport?

Question

I am trying to see if I need a passport or if I am included with his orders and just need a drivers license and birth certificate for when we drive thru Canada on our way to Alaska.

Answer 1

You will require picture ID and a birth certificate and everything will be fine.

Answer 2

You don't need a passport when traveling by land/sea until June 2009 You need a government issued photo ID such as a drivers license and your birth certificate.Passports are required when traveling by air

Answer 3

Since you are travelling by land you do not require a passport. Only government issue photo ID and proof of citizenship.

Crossing the US-Canada border by air does require a passport. They were suppose to make land crossings require a passport but the date has been delayed several times now. The new date is June 2009. If you plan to travel after June 2009 you will need a passport

Answer 4

hello the answer is yes. simply one can not leave or enter the us without a passport. the good news is that the passport folks are pretty quick in renewals and new passports. if you are bringing beer back the limit is 24 bottles per person. hard liquor the rules are different. i love Canada so enjoy

Answer 5

You can get through with his military orders, the driver's license and birth certificates but I would get the passport now.  Get them before the rush and the rates go up!

Answer 6

I really like Steven D's mention of the fact that you might want to fly home, so bringing your passport would be a good idea.  

And all the answers are correct that currently you only need your driver's license and birth certificate to drive.  This will change next year.

Answer 7

Getting a passport is always a good idea. That way, if you decide to fly home you can. Right now, you can drive thru Canada on your drivers license and birth certificate. Next year you will need a passport. The next duty station might be the Philippines or some place in Europe.

Answer 8

take it anyway just in case...

Answer 9

As stated you can't go wrong with a passport.  As a military dependent though there is also what is called SOFA or Status of Forces Agreement.  There might be something in there about dependents travelling on hubby's orders.  As far as needing a passport to fly home, since you'd likely be flying from Alaska direct to somewhere in the lower 48, you'd be considered to be on a domestic flight.  No passport required unless the aircraft made a stop outside the USA.

I need to edit my answer, SOFA would only be valid if your husband were taking an assignment in Canada.  Travelling through Canada to an assignment in Alaska wouldn't count.  Having said that, you don't need a passport to leave the USA but as of Jun/09 you will need one to enter the USA.  Flying directly from Alaska to the lower 48 shouldn't require you to have a passport.  Assuming though that when you leave Alaska permanently after Jun/09 you might need a passport to get back to the lower 48 but as a dependant the Airforce should pay for it if it's a requirement.

Answer 10

you should