United States Passports and Fishing in Canada
Travel Documents
Passports are now required to enter the United States.
U.S. citizens traveling to Canada should be prepared to show a U.S. passport both when entering Canada (Ontario) and when returning to the United States.
While a drivers licence is not sufficient anymore you can get a passport card as a cheaper and more convenient form of passport book. See Below
U.S. Passport Card
Purpose of the Passport Card
The new wallet-size U.S. Passport Card is a travel document that can be used to enter the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda at land border crossings or sea ports-of-entry. Note that it cannot be used for international air travel. The passport card is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book.
Validity and Cost of a Passport Card
The U.S. Passport Card has the same period of validity as the U.S. Passport Book: 10 years for an adult and 5 years for minors under age 16. The card costs $45 for a first-time adult passport applicant and $35 for all minor applicants under age 16, regardless of whether they are previous passport book or card holders. Adults who already have a fully valid passport book may apply for the card as a passport renewal by mail for a cost of only $20.
How to Apply for a Passport Card
U.S. citizens, whether or not they have a passport book, may apply for a passport card. Note that passport cards cannot be shipped using overnight delivery. All passport cards will be returned using First Class Mail.
If you currently have or previously had a U.S. passport book, you might be able to apply for a passport card by mail . Note that in this scenario you will use a passport renewal form (DS-82) even if you're applying for your first passport card.
If you have never had a passport book, or you do not meet the requirements to apply by mail using Form DS-82, you may apply for a passport card in person using Form DS-11.
Security
To increase speed, efficiency, and security at U.S. land and sea border crossings, the passport card contains a vicinity-read radio frequency identification (RFID) chip. This chip points to a stored record in secure government databases. There is no personal information written to the RFID chip itself.
With RFID technology, Customs and Border Protection inspectors will be able to access photographs and other biographical information stored in secure government databases as the traveler approaches an inspection station.
The passport card uses state-of-the-art security features to prevent against the possibility of counterfeiting and forgery. In addition, a protective, RFID-blocking sleeve is provided with each passport card to protect against unauthorized reading or tracking of the card when it is not in use.
History
The US passport authorities began production of the U.S. Passport Card on July 2008, and to date say they have issued over a million cards. Processing times are supposed to be similar to those of a passport book.
We hope to see you at the Ogoki Frontier and we sure hope this information helps you to get out for some 2010 Canadian Fishing Fun!