board77

It's seeming that a new law says that I do. Is that true???????

I think you need one to get back in.

At this point, I think it's that you need one to get back into the US. Of course, unless you're planning on moving to Canada, it obviously means you need one.

Lego, call any travel agent in the book (or on google) and ask. It's a yes/no answer - I'm sure they'll tell you free and gratis.

Yes, you will need a passport if you want to get back into the US. This applies to both Mexico and Canada--I think the law went into effect in 2007. Having a passport also makes the trip into Canada much smoother.

Since I assume you'll be flying on a commercial plane, I doubt there are any airline companies who would let you fly from the US to Canada without a passport.

Once you're in Canada, why would you want to go back?

Another here in the yes category, echoing what Elsha said. I remember some kind of talk along those lines when we drove up to Toronto. We all had passports anyway, but at that time you could still cross the border with other official documentation such as a US birth certificate or national identity card or something...but the laws were changing soon after.

Yep. Was in Canada in December - passport was checked on both ends, and stamped in Canada.

Like everyone else says you need passport to get back into the U.S. I think now you even need it driving into the U.S. As the law changed recently. The passport office actually increased it's processing capability to accommodate the increase in the need for passports. (I still need to get mine updated.)

Damn!

My passport is at the Finnish embassy, as I'm applying for a visa for next year.

This sucks, b/c now is a perfect time for me to introduce myself to a few professors at the univ of toronto for grad school.

Can't I use my birth certificate? I actually have that with me....i think.

No, they changed the law and now you need a passport for driving in too. I was warned about that when I went to the US for the Washington trip and I used my birth certificate. I the law went into effect at the begining of June. See if you can talk to the passport office and see what they can do to help you out. Do you have any proof that your passport is in Finland?

Also about U of T I know the downtown campus a little, I can at least show you where to go without getting lost.

Used to be you could drive across the border with a birth certificate and driver's license but, as Wilma said, that phased out recently. What's the usual turn around for whatever kind of visa you're getting? Can you postpone the trip until you get it back? Can you contact profs by e-mail or phone if it's not possible to do it in person? If it's been a while since you sent it in, could you call the Finnish embassy and ask them how your passport's doing?

Thanks for the info, everyone. The Finnish embassy is mailing my passport back to me for me to take the trip. Apparently they don't NEED it constantly.