26
www.snowbirds.org
CSA TRAVEL INFORMATION GUIDE
Under the United States’Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), a youth exemption for land
and sea travel only (not air travel) has been approved concerning the need for passports.
•
•
U.S. and Canadian citizen children, aged 15 or younger travelling with parental consent, will
be able to enter or re-enter the U.S. at land and sea ports with the original or certified copy of
their birth certificate in place of a valid passport or other WHTI-compliant identity card.
•
•
U.S. and Canadian citizen youth, aged 16 through 18 specifically travelling with a public or
private school group, religious group, social or cultural organization or a team associated with
a youth athletics organization will be able to enter or re-enter the U.S. under adult supervision,
with the original or certified copy of their birth certificate in place of a valid passport or other
WHTI-compliant identity card.
Can a Canadian citizen entering the United States by land or sea (without a passport)
depart from the U.S. by air without a passport?
According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security website, Canadian as well as U.S.
citizens travelling by air are required to present a valid passport or other WHTI-compliant
document to enter
or depart
the United States. Although Canada does not require its citizens
to have a passport to re-enter Canada, the U.S. requires all travellers in the air mode to have a
passport or other WHTI-compliant document in order to depart from the United States.
In situations where a Canadian citizen without a passport needs to return to Canada by air,
the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) strongly encour-
ages these travellers to contact the nearest Canadian consulate to obtain a limited-validity
emergency passport. It is also advisable to contact the airline to discuss their individual
circumstances. Should a traveller be permitted to depart from the United States without a
passport, they will not be allowed to return to the U.S. by air without first obtaining a passport.
For children (individuals under 16 years of age) who are Canadian citizens, a passport application can
be completed by one of the child’s parents, the custodial parent in the case of separation or divorce,
or the child’s legal guardian. In the case of custody, separation or divorce, all legal documents that
refer to custody, mobility of, or access to the child, must be provided. If a divorce has been granted, a
copy of the divorce judgement or order must also be provided when applying for the passport. Where
joint custody provisions exist, either parent may apply, but both parents must sign the application to
confirm that they are aware that an international travel document is being issued for the child.
When a child is travelling unaccompanied by both parents, it is advisable prior to travel, to contact
the embassy or consulate of all countries that the child will be visiting to inquire about any special
entry requirements and supporting documentation. To avoid any unnecessary delays on the day of
travel, it is also advisable to check with the commercial carrier (air, train, bus, ship) that you will be
using as to any special company policies or screening procedures that may be in effect concerning the
transportation of a child unaccompanied by both parents.
When crossing international borders, authorities may request documents such as:
•
•
Birth Certificate of the child that includes the names of both parents (also called a “long-form”
or “full” birth certificate in contrast the familiar short-form wallet card version). For individuals
born in Canada, a long-form or short-form version of a birth certificate can be obtained from
the respective provincial/territorial registrar-general’s office.
•
•
Legal Custody document(s) in the case of separation or divorce.
•
•
Parental Consent letter.