Mission Trips and Passports

I got a passport last year and it took about 6 weeks.

 

Ours expire this year and it takes a few weeks to renew them. Took about 8 weeks to get them the first time.

 

I'm taking about 60 high-schoolers to Canada. We're driving...which technically means we don't have to have passports. But I've been told, by someone who works with the State Department, that it would be to our advantage (greatly) for everyone to have one. Speeds things up in a huge way. So I'm requiring them.

I'm making all my deposits non-refundable, and giving "suggested" deadlines for Passport application, etc. And I'm really clear...my rule this year: no Passport, no trip.

But then again, when it comes to camps and mission trips, I'm a control freak.:tongue3:

 

My passport expires in '10

I keep it in a fire proof box ---- as an SBC pastor-------------I just never know when I'll have to "leave the country":laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

 

My passport in 1999 took 5 weeks. You can expedite with more money.

 

True, we renewed one last year. Took a little more than a week. But we paid about $60 or $70 extra at the time, as I recall.
But in addition, to accomplish this, there were two overnight mail USPS fees, one to send, one to receive. Both paid at the time of application, in addition to the extra expediting fee.

In other words, if you really need it fast, you can get it fast, but you will pay a lot more.

 

Most of my family live a few miles south of the Canadian border and tell me differently especially if you are with children.

 

Until they get the new card up and running, a passport is worth the money. Especially if you have kids. We cross the USA-MX border frequently and the passports help things move along much more smoothly.

 

YES, YES, YES! Get the passport. We just went across from MX to the USA and they gave us grief because our youngest son did not have a picture ID. Both sides of the southern border are stricter about this now. And i imagine all other access points are likewise.

 

Also, you may need to have at least two free pages for VISA's, if the country you are visiting requires visas. May have to add pages.

 

My answer was from someone at the state department (US)...but as you can see, differing answers illustrates why I am requiring passports this summer. Much safer bet.

In January 2008, I was told, all travel between US and Canada (including land) would require a passport. Right now, only air and water travel from Canada/US do.