US-Canada Passport plan

[Fandango 1,440]

I agree with Lisa. 97 bucks (that's the price according to state.gov) for a 10 year passport is not a lot. If you can't afford that, what kind of international travel do you plan to do anyway?

Oh, and 100 bucks is a middle class Americans power bill? I am a middle class American and I haven't seen a 100 dollar power bill in years.

That's LisaD to you Smithy

(kidding)

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

I agree with Lisa. 97 bucks (that's the price according to state.gov) for a 10 year passport is not a lot. If you can't afford that, what kind of international travel do you plan to do anyway?

Oh, and 100 bucks is a middle class Americans power bill? I am a middle class American and I haven't seen a 100 dollar power bill in years.

That's LisaD to you Smithy

(kidding)

Ma bad

[terri o'neale 0]

I agree with Lisa. 97 bucks (that's the price according to state.gov) for a 10 year passport is not a lot. If you can't afford that, what kind of international travel do you plan to do anyway?

Oh, and 100 bucks is a middle class Americans power bill? I am a middle class American and I haven't seen a 100 dollar power bill in years.

Los Angeles area...Southern California Edison...$67/month average in the winter months...in the summer around $100 with fans...more if you use air conditioning...and yes, we have electronics out the wazoo.

[desert_fox 32]

Wow...I had no idea that getting a passport was such a big deal in Canada. In America, you go to the post office with the application, your birth certificate, a picture ID, two pics for the passport and an exorbitant fee. Then in 4 to 8 weeks you have a passport. And it is good for 10 years...renewing it is simple too. I'm sorry it is so hard for you. Wonder what Mexico goes through?

Well Terri not that big a deal, just that I have moved and don't have anyone who can sign (only selected professionals) for me here where I live because they have to have known you for years.

And your passports are easy to get I am suprised for sure. US is cheaper than Canada's and like Agent Smith said US good for 10 years where out Canadian ones which I believe now are $87 and it is good for 5 years.

I dont understand this.....you mean every grown adult in Canada who wants a passport needs to find someone who is willing to sign the application??? What is this all about???

[iceyspots 0]

... an exorbitant fee.

The fee is hardly exhorbitant, considering the document is good for 10 years.

I thought 15? I got mine last year and it expires in feb 2015

[Leafgal 3]

Well Desertfox yes indeed you do need someone to sign on your behalf that you are who you say you are. This is called the guarantor, they also have to sign both of your pictures that you submit with the passport application.

Turns out as I found out last week when I went to get my long form birth certificate here in Ontario that you need a guarantor to get that too.

So I have a cousin who is a teacher so she can agree to be my guarantor on the birth certificate but she doesn't qualify for my passport go figure lol.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

I agree with Lisa. 97 bucks (that's the price according to state.gov) for a 10 year passport is not a lot. If you can't afford that, what kind of international travel do you plan to do anyway?

Oh, and 100 bucks is a middle class Americans power bill? I am a middle class American and I haven't seen a 100 dollar power bill in years.

Los Angeles area...Southern California Edison...$67/month average in the winter months...in the summer around $100 with fans...more if you use air conditioning...and yes, we have electronics out the wazoo.

Amazing. I'm in central NJ and every power bill I've paid in the last few years has been 150+, closer to 300 during the winter months.

Well Desertfox yes indeed you do need someone to sign on your behalf that you are who you say you are. This is called the guarantor, they also have to sign both of your pictures that you submit with the passport application.

Canada is wack.

[terri o'neale 0]

I agree with Lisa. 97 bucks (that's the price according to state.gov) for a 10 year passport is not a lot. If you can't afford that, what kind of international travel do you plan to do anyway?

Oh, and 100 bucks is a middle class Americans power bill? I am a middle class American and I haven't seen a 100 dollar power bill in years.

Los Angeles area...Southern California Edison...$67/month average in the winter months...in the summer around $100 with fans...more if you use air conditioning...and yes, we have electronics out the wazoo.

Amazing. I'm in central NJ and every power bill I've paid in the last few years has been 150+, closer to 300 during the winter months.

Well Desertfox yes indeed you do need someone to sign on your behalf that you are who you say you are. This is called the guarantor, they also have to sign both of your pictures that you submit with the passport application.

Canada is wack.

Move to sunny SoCal?

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Oh, and 100 bucks is a middle class Americans power bill? I am a middle class American and I haven't seen a 100 dollar power bill in years.

Los Angeles area...Southern California Edison...$67/month average in the winter months...in the summer around $100 with fans...more if you use air conditioning...and yes, we have electronics out the wazoo.

Amazing. I'm in central NJ and every power bill I've paid in the last few years has been 150+, closer to 300 during the winter months.

Move to sunny SoCal?

I may have to

[iceyspots 0]

Wow...I had no idea that getting a passport was such a big deal in Canada. In America, you go to the post office with the application, your birth certificate, a picture ID, two pics for the passport and an exorbitant fee. Then in 4 to 8 weeks you have a passport. And it is good for 10 years...renewing it is simple too. I'm sorry it is so hard for you. Wonder what Mexico goes through?

Well Terri not that big a deal, just that I have moved and don't have anyone who can sign (only selected professionals) for me here where I live because they have to have known you for years.

And your passports are easy to get I am suprised for sure. US is cheaper than Canada's and like Agent Smith said US good for 10 years where out Canadian ones which I believe now are $87 and it is good for 5 years.

American passports are over a $100 now. Fees are $30 and $67 respectively and the pics cost about $15 more. Like I said for a middle class family that is an expensive luxury for most.

If a family considers the passport a luxury, well they can't afford the price of doing business, and should prolly not travel internationally.

If you're talking a nuclear family of 4, considering the kids are old enough to have to have one.. the price mounts up pretty high...

So again if the family of 4 can't afford the passport, WHERE ARE THEY GOING?

Driving, and staying with family?

[j&js 0]

Well fine, if people can't afford a passport, I say you at least throw up a real guardshack or whatever and then check the IDs they do have. Most states (if not all) now have the scannable kind. No extra cost, but much better then the driveby wave!

[Cristy 4]

It is a huge cost for some. And to say if you can't afford a passport don't travel is just wrong. Some people live 20 minutes from the border and can cross for little expense but to get passports for a family is a lot.

We have a lot of kids on hockey teams, baseball teams etc that cross back and forth regularly. The added cost will add up.

I heard a congressman saying they have to treat Canada and Mexico the same even though they are aware that most problems are from the Mexican border. Why?? Why do Canada and Mexico have to be treated the same? How often do you hear of illegal Canadians living in the US?

If I am not mistaken all of the terrorists involved in 9/11 had paperwork to enter. This will not make a difference.

[Fandango 1,440]

Why i do believe I'm on ignore, lol

[antone 0]

I dont understand this.....you mean every grown adult in Canada who wants a passport needs to find someone who is willing to sign the application??? What is this all about???

Same in the UK - you need someone to sign the back of your pics (and, IIRC, the application itself) to state that you are who you claim to be and that the pic is really you. That person must have known you for at least two years and is supposed to be someone of good standing in the community - a doctor, teacher, clergyman or whatever.

It can make life awkward if you've just moved and have no-one who's known you for two years.

[Neja 0]

Well Desertfox yes indeed you do need someone to sign on your behalf that you are who you say you are. This is called the guarantor, they also have to sign both of your pictures that you submit with the passport application.

Turns out as I found out last week when I went to get my long form birth certificate here in Ontario that you need a guarantor to get that too.

So I have a cousin who is a teacher so she can agree to be my guarantor on the birth certificate but she doesn't qualify for my passport go figure lol.

The guarantor thing is annoying.