Getting a Child's Passport

ALL children who are travelling out of Canada need a passport, and yes that also includes your one-month old baby. Children 0- 15 years of age submit a CHILD General Passport Application for Canadian under 16 years of age applying in Canada or from the USA. Don't you just love the names of government forms?

The form can be obtained from the following two locations:

1. From your local Canada Post Office
2. Online from Passport Canada

Passport Photos

Once you have your child's passport application, one of the first steps is to get your child's passport photograph taken. This is when the real fun begins. There are very specific requirements for the passport photo, some of which include:

• The photo must be taken by a commercial photographer
• Your child's eyes must be open and clearly visible.
• Your child must have a neutral expression on their face (so no tantrums or giggles). However passport Canada recognizes how difficult it is to obtain a neutral expression from newborns and will be tolerant in this respect.
• Only the head and shoulders of the child should be visible -- so no adult hands holding the child.

I told you this is when the fun begins!  Here are 7 things I learned after many children's passport photos:

1. Make your passport picture errand the ONLY plan for the day. You don't want to be doing a million errands and then take your cranky, tired, hungry, bored, restless child to have their passport picture taken which can require a great of patience from all. If after the passport photo everyone has energy for other things - BONUS!
2. Feed your baby or toddler or growing pre-teen BEFORE the photo taking (see above, re: cranky/hungry child).
3. I recommend going first thing in the morning (if a toddler) or after the morning nap (if a baby). Your baby's/toddler's eyes need to be open, so they need to be awake.
4. If the passport photo is for your baby, you'll want to go to a place that has a stool that is high enough for you to bend down (and away from the shot) while holding your baby in place (remember only the head and shoulders of the child should be visible).
5. Passport Canada will allow photos of newborns in car seats, as long as a white blanket is placed over the seat behind the child's head. There must be no shadows on the face or shoulders, around the ears or in the background (so that's another option to holding your non-sitting/steady baby on a stool)
6. If you are getting your baby's photo taken, call ahead and confirm that the person working that day will do infant passport photos. Some locations, staff etc., will refuse to take infant passport photos because of the time it takes. That being said, my easiest passport photos were of my sons when they were babies. My hardest was of my then 4 year old, who did not understand he could NOT smile for the camera.
7. I would also recommend going to somewhere that guarantees their passport photo. You don't want to go through this exercise, spend $20, and then have your child's photo rejected by Passport Canada, and then are out $20 Some of the businesses that guarantee photos (which means you get a free one if Passport Canada rejects the photo) include:

London Drugs

Japan Camera

One more tip: If you are looking for cheap passport photos, Costco Canada has the cheapest deal in town - $6.99! However, having never used their passport services, I am not sure if they guarantee their photos. Maybe one of you has used Costco Canada and can confirm, let us know in the comment field.

Processing your Child's Passport Application

When your form is completed, your photo signed by your guarantor, and all your supporting documents gathered (e.g. birth certificate, old passports, etc.) you can take it all to your nearest passport office. It's a good idea to have all the passport information filled out first, as that puts you in the priority line-up. Also mid to late afternoon is reportedly the best time to go...and as YOU are the one applying for your child's passport on their behalf the child does NOT have to be there. So, if the line-ups are long, you can leave baby with grandma or the other parent or a babysitter and be happy knowing you don't also have to entertain your child. Please note that the parent whose name is on the application as the applying parent must be the parent who goes to the passport office (see Passport Canada FAQ).

Your child's passport should be processed in 10 business days, not including delivery time. There are also options to expediate the passport, such as 24 hour processing time. For more information, look at Passport Canada's Processing Times.

But wait, my nearest Passport Canada Office is far, far away!

What if you don't leave near a passport office? This is my situation as my nearest passport office is a 4 to 5 hour drive away. Not very convenient. You can mail in your passport, but that will take 20 days to process (not including delivery time of the passport) and there isn't an agent to check over the application to confirm that all the Is are dotted and the Ts are crossed. You have two options:

1. You can take your passport application to a Receiving Agent, found at participating Canada Post locations and Service Canada Centres. The Receiving Agent will review passport applications to ensure accuracy and completeness, as well as to collect the appropriate fees. It will still take 20 days to process and it will cost you $20 extra for the service, BUT you may save yourself time and headaches if you've missed something on the application. BOTH parents must be present to use the services of a Receiving Agent. Please visit the Passport Canada website to find where your closest Receiving Agent is located
2. Many MPs offer Passport Clinics, which offer the same service as the Receiving Agent, but are free. I have used this service and it was great. I was also told by my local MP office that it is faster to go through the MP office and have them delivery the passport application, than it is to mail it myself.

If you are mailing your passport application, I would recommend sending it by certified mail or through an express delivery courier that provides a tracking number.

Do you have any tips or hints for applying for a child's passport? If you do, share them in the comment section.

Travel Gear with kids -- Some of my favourite things

Having flown on my more flights than I can remember with my kids, and having experimented with several different kidcentric travel gear, I've complied a list of some of my favourite things (which will be updated from time to time). These are:

Hooter Hider

Breastfeeding in public can be challenging at times, breastfeeding in a cramped airplane can be almost impossible. I loved my hooter hider to provide me the desired privacy in a public space and to focus my baby's attention on eating. The hooter hider also doubles as a blanket and burp cloth, so that means less carry-on stuff for you.

Car Seat

Did you know that you can bring your car seat on the plane, strap it into a seat and put baby/toddler into it? Just make sure that your car seat states: This child restraint system conform to all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards" OR "THIS RESTRAINT IS CERTIFIED FOR USE IN MOTOR VEHICLES AND AIRCRAFT". I'll save my many reasons on why a car seat for planes are a necessity for another blog, however, I'll leave you with this tidbit -- snug car seat +  the sound of an engine = sleepy baby. Click on the following links to read about car seats on popular Canadian airline companies.

Air Canada: scroll down to their "child restraint policy"
CanJet
Porter Airlines: Waiting on information
WestJet: they want you to call a 1-800 number first

Most Airlines will not allow you to install a car seat in an exit row, or somewhere the will impede access to the aisle. So, if booking online, be aware of your airlines' restrictions.

CARES

I have, in the past, left my car seat behind on short haul flights or when I know we would not be using them on the other end as we'd be relying on public transportation or have car seats waiting for us. However, many organizations, such as the Transport Canada, the US Federal Aviation Administration, and the US Association of Flight Attendants (as well as others) state that the safest place for a child on an airplane is in an approved child restraint. CARES is a buckle system for children between 22 and 40 pounds, made by the same people who make airplane seatbelts. It only weighs 1 pound so is much easier to pack than a car seat. I have not used the CARES restraint yet, but plan to do so on an upcoming flight to France.

Most Canadian Airlines accept the use of CARES. Click on the links above for more information.

GoGo Kidz Travelmate

OK, so you've decided you are going to bring the car seat on the plane. But now you've go to lug your two kids, strollers, luggage, carry-on AND the car seats!! Just thinking about it makes me tired. Why don't you turn the car seats into strollers and use them to transport your kids around...and you can do this with the GoGo Kidz Travelmate. My oldest son was one of the kids who would sleep anywhere, so we'd often wheel him to the gate in the GoGo Kidz Travelmate, asleep, install the car seat into his airplane seat, asleep, and we'd take off and he'd still be sleeping. Ahhh bliss. We didn't find that the GoGo Kidz Travelmate replaced a stroller once we got to our destination, but they did help with airport travel. The Travelmate is a bit of a pain to assemble and disassemble, but I understand they have made improvements to the newer models.

Sit 'n' Stroll

I do not own a Sit n' Stroll, but did look at it when I was deciding on whether or not to purchase it or the GoGo Kidz Travelmate. One of the reasons I did not get a Sit 'n' Stroll was that it was not available in Canada at the time. What did attract me to the Sit 'n' Stroll is that it's an all -in -one car seat, stroller, dining booster seat.

Maclaren Triumph

My Maclren Triumph is my all time favourite stroller for travelling. It has been to London, Cardiff, New York City, Quebec City, Bermuda, Toronto, Turks and Caicos...oh the list goes on. It only weighs about 11 pounds, and has a strap to easily carry the stroller through airports or up and down subway stairs. It folds quickly and can be pushed out of the way in crowded urban restaurants. As it is an umbrella stroller, it is often allowed at most museums. Best part, it is one of the few strollers that you can still gate check. On the downside, it's not that great on cobblestone roads if your baby has just fallen asleep. This was something we learned the hard way in Quebec City, and being new parents, we carried the stroller up and down the streets of Quebec City. It's also not great if you will be travelling to a place where there will be a lot of snow, like my own country in the winter.

My children are 5 and 3 and we're at the stage where we don't bring a stroller with us anymore, but we will bring the Maclaren when travelling. It's not the cumbersome to bring and we find that someone, usually the 5 year old who has spent the whole day running and jumping, gets tired at the end of the day. It's easier on our backs to put him in the stroller and carry our younger and much lighter child.

Baby Bjorn
I loved the Baby Bjorn Active Carrier, my babies loved the Baby Bjorn Active Carrier. My oldest would squeal with delight every time I got it out. I found it was great for train travel, as I could walk up and down the aisles with baby and not kill my back (note: walking up and down an aisle on a train is much easier than on a plane). It's also great if you don't own a good light umbrella stroller and are doing a lot of subway travel where you will have to climb stairs (such as Paris). It's also very good if will be visiting museums or historical sites. While, as mentioned, we love our Maclaren Triumph, we found it wasn't that useful at London Tower. Lots of the sites had narrow stairs to climb, and it was too difficult to bring even an umbrella stroller up them. Hubby and I had to take turns sitting on a bench with our oldest in the stroller, while the other viewed the sites. I wish I had taken the Baby Bjorn, which was in our hotel room, that day.  It's also great if baby protests about cobblestones (see Maclaren Stroller bit). Finally, not ever baby wants to spend 8 hours in a stroller while Mommy and Daddy sight-see. The Baby Bjorn is fabulous when baby wants to be carried for 7 of those 8 hours.

Headphones

The earbuds that you buy on the plane, or that come with your ipod, are too big for most children. Buy a set of children's headphones. They will fit their head perfectly -- trust me it's no fun to spend the whole plane ride continually adjusting their earphones. Most are volume limiting, so you do not have to worry about your children's prolonged exposure to noise. I own two sets of children's headphones from Cyber Acoustics, and they have worked well for my boys and the abuse they put them through. Be aware that children who have headphones that go over their head will be asked to remove them for take-off and landing (at least on Air Canada and Porter Airlines flights). Children who have earbuds or over the ear headphones will be able to keep them on.

Journal and Crayons

We bring crayons and a journal book for the kids to describe what they have seen while travelling. It's a great way to pass the time on the plane, restaurant or during any down time. It's also a wonderful way to find out what your children found interesting on their trip. Below is an entry for a recent trip to Whistler:

Water Bottles

Travelling is thirsty work, and airplanes are very dehydrating. After the age of 2, you can't bring liquids for your children to drink through security. BUT, you can bring an empty water bottle through security and fill it up from a water fountain on the other side. My favourite water bottles are the Kleen Kanteens as they take you from toddler sippy cup stage to cool kid water bottle stage. They are also incredible durable...our oldest Kleen Kanteens must be about 4 years old now. I recently saw a collapsable water bottle from Vapur. I thought these looked neat as they weigh very little and take up very little room (when empty). I haven't used one yet, but I thought it might be useful to have for travel.

Portable Potty Seat

If you are training your toddler, or are like me and have skinny kids, a portable potty seat is a must (even for regular day to day living). My favourite is the Primo Folding Potty Seat. It's gender neutral, so your second child won't have to use his older sister's Dora the Explorer potty seat. It folds small enough to fit in a handbag, backpack etc.

What do when travelling without your child's other parent/legal guardian

So, you are planning on flying to another country without your husband or wife, or you are divorced and are taking your kids on a trip, or your children's father/mother has passed. What documentation do you need?

Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (DFAIT) recommends the following documentation:

• A consent letter proving that the child travelling alone or with one parent or guardian has permission to travel from the non-accompanying lawful parent(s) or guardian. 
• A copy of any separation, divorce, or custody decree.
• A copy of a court order granting guardianship, if a legal guardian is accompanying the child.
• A certified copy of the child's birth certificate, if only one parent's name appears on the birth certificate, and the child is travelling with the other parent.
• A certified copy of a death certificate, if one parent is deceased. 

Source: DFAIT -- Children and Travel FAQ (http://www.voyage.gc.ca/faq/children-travel_enfants-voyage-eng.asp#1)

If you are flying out of the country, DFAIT recommends that you also check with the nearest embassy or consulate about what other documentation that you might need. Additionally, DFAIT recommends you also check with your airline to find out about documentation. Click on the following links to find out about any additional documentation from these major Canadian airlines/charters:

Air Canada
Canadian Affair
Canjet
Porter Airlines
Sunwing Airlines
WestJet

DFAIT provides an excellent sample consent letter. I have not travelled outside the country alone with my children, but I have travelled domestically alone with my children, and use DFAIT's sample consent letter (unnotarized) when travelling out of province. Note: no one has asked me for a consent letter yet.

Should you have the letter notarized? That depends on the country that you are travelling to -- some require, some do not. So it's up to you to find that information out before you travel. DFAIT (as well as some of the airlines) strongly recommends that you have the letter notarized.  I know some parents who have also had their consent letters translated into the language of the country they are visiting. This may be necessary for you as well, so again, you should check with the country's nearest embassy or consulate.

Have you travelled without your children's other legal guardian? What, if any, documentation have you been asked for?

Tales of ID for domestic travel

We recently flew to Tremblant on Porter Airlines with my oldest son. At check-in they asked for photo ID for my son. Photo ID for a 5 year old...on a domestic flight? The only photo ID my son has is his passport, and last time I checked a passport was not required to travel within one's own country.  I always carry my children's OHIP card (Ontario Health Insurance Plan Card), which does not have a photo, so provided this to the check-in agent who, while deemed it acceptable, said I should travel with photo ID for my 5 year old Canadian born son. So, I have to bring his passport to fly within our own country? 

Update: I have flown on Porter many, many times with my children since this flight and have never been asked for photo ID for them on a domestic flight. Their OHIP cards have always been fine.

I was under the impression that children do not need to have photo ID to fly domestically, because, you know, most children don't drive. What does the federal government have to say? The Canada Transport Agency, the government body that regulates air, rail and marine travel (for children who do not look 18 or over), says:

"While there are no identification requirements for younger passengers travelling within Canada, some carriers recommend that they present some form of valid, government-issued identification for identity screening purposes. Check with your carrier for its requirement before departure."
Source: Canada Transport Agency: Your Travel Documents

Right, so lesson learned, if your child is younger than 18 (or does not look 18 as the federal government requires airports/airlines to screen everyone who looks 18 or older), you need to review the identification requirements of the airline you are using. Below are the requirements for the 3 major airlines that fly within Canada. Please note that there are different requirements for minor children flying alone and for children who are under the age of 2.

Air Canada

"For travellers younger than 18, an original birth certificate or non-government issued ID (e.g. a student card) is suggested but not mandatory at this time, unless our Unaccompanied Minor service is used"
Source: Air Canada Website: Travel Documents

Porter Airlines

"Porter request that passengers under 18 years of age travelling within Canada present one piece of valid identification (government-issued with or without photograph preferred), however this is NOT mandatory for travel.

For Unaccompanied Minors and Infants under 2 years of age, Porter requires government issued ID with a Date of Birth to meet various security and governmental regulations.

Important: The name on the identification must match the name on the boarding pass"
Source: Porter's Website: Identification Requirements

WestJet

"We strongly recommend that all children travel with one piece of government-issued identification"

For children under age of 2, "proof of age is required. If you do not have proof of age, you will be required to purchase a seat for your child. The purchase of the seat will be fully refunded if proof of age is provided to WestJet within 7 days of the flight having been completed".
Source: WestJet's Website: ID Requirements

Like Air Canada and Porter, WestJet has special requirements for children travelling alone. 

Car Seat Laws

This is the most read post on my blog. While I do my best to keep it updated, laws do change. So, the information below is only meant as a guide, it is up to you to confirm the car seat laws of the places you are visiting.

All the places below are places I have travelled with my children. If you are interested in the car seat laws of a particular destination, please let me know and I'll do my best to find out!

NORTH AMERICA

Bermuda

Cars
Tourists cannot rent cars on this beautiful island, so bringing a car seat or renting a car seat for a rental car is not an issue. They are required for private vehicles.

Taxis
Public vehicles, such as taxis and buses, are exempt from the car seat law.
Source: Phone conversation with the Bermuda Department of Tourism "General Information about Bermuda" 24-hr contact line (March 16, 2011)

Canada

Alberta
Cars

It is the driver’s legal responsibility to ensure that each passenger under the age of 16 years is properly secured in the vehicle. Drivers are subject to a fine for each child not properly secured. 

A child under six years whose weight does not exceed 18 kg (40 lb.) must be properly secured in a child safety seat. Child safety seats used in Canada must have a label on them stating that the seat meets Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213.  

There is currently no law in Alberta that requires a booster seat once children weigh over 18 kg (40 lbs). However, the Government of Alberta recommends that once a child graduates from a child safety seat that the child be in a booster seat until they turn nine or reach a weight of 37 kilograms (80 lbs.).

Source: Traffic Safety in Alberta (http://www.saferoads.com/vehicles/childseats.html)

Taxis
As provided for in Section 84(2) of the Vehicle Equipment Regulation (VER), taxis are exempt from the requirement of providing child safety seats. HOWEVER, there are reports of many taxi companies in Alberta who have adopted a policy of requiring parents to have car seats for their children (for example, read this article about Edmonton Taxi: "Car seat kerfuffle").
Source: Government of Alberta - Vehicle Equipment Regulation (http://www.qp.alberta.ca/574.cfm?page=2009_122.cfm&leg_type=Regs&isbncln=9780779743193&display=html)

British Columbia

Cars

All drivers must ensure all children are secured in an age-and weight-appropriate child car seat until their 9th birthday unless they have reached the height of 145 cm (4’9”) tall.  At 145 cm or taller, children can wear a seat belt like and adult. Age and weight appropriate car seats are as follows:

Source: BCAA Traffic Safety Foundation (http://www.tsfbcaa.com/11.asp)


Taxis
Drivers and operators are exempt from hild Seating and Restraint regulations under Section 36.09(b) of the MVAR.
Source: The Vancouver Police Department (http://vancouver.ca/police/organization/operations/traffic/traffic-services/taxi-team.htm)

Ontario (updated November 2015)

Cars
By law, drivers are responsible for ensuring passengers under 16 years of age are secured properly. It is mandatory for anyone transporting children to make sure they are properly secured in a child car seat, booster seat or seatbelt.  A child must be in a car seat appropriate for the weight and age until they are 8 years old AND weighs between 18 - 36 kg (40 - 80 lbs) AND is less than 145 cm (4 feet 9 inches). After this, children must be secured with a seatbelt like an adult. Age and weight appropriate car seats are as follows:

Source: Ontario Ministry of Transportation: Chose the Right Child Car Seat

Taxis
The driver of a taxicab is exempt from the car seat law while transporting a passenger for hire.
Source: Ontario Ministry of Transportation (http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/faq/safety.shtml)

Quebec

Cars

It is the law that children whose sitting (note sitting, not standing) height is less than 63 cm must be in a safety seat designed for their weight. Age and weight appropriate car seats are as follows:

Source: Societe de l'assurance automobile du Quebec (http://www.saaq.gouv.qc.ca/en/accident_prevention/childseats/law.php)

Taxi
In a taxi, if a child car seat is unavailable, a child must be restrained using a seat belt, except where the child is too small to maintain an upright position
Source: Societe de l'assurance automobile du Quebec (http://www.saaq.gouv.qc.ca/en/accident_prevention/childseats/law.php)

United States

Florida

Cars
Drivers are responsible for buckling up children. Children 3 and younger must be secured in a federally approved child-restraint seat. Children 4 through 5 must be secured by either a federally approved child restraint seat or safety belt. All passengers under 18 must wear a seat belt. It is against the law to operate a vehicle if all the passengers do not meet these standards.

Source: Florida Department of Motor Vehicles (http://www.dmvflorida.org/seat-belt-laws.shtm)

Taxis
The above law also applies to taxis.

New York

Cars
New York State law requires all children under the age of 8 to ride in a car seat.  Safety seats and child restraint systems must be certified according to Federal Motor Vehicles Safety Standard 213.

Source: New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (http://www.nydmv.state.ny.us/dmvfaqs.htm)

Taxi
Drivers of yellow medallion taxicabs and for-hire vehicles and their passengers, are exempt from laws regarding car seats and seatbelts.
Source: New York City Taxi & Limousine Commission (http://www.nyc.gov/html/tlc/html/passenger/faq_pass.shtm)

CARIBBEAN

Turks and Caicos

Cars seats are not mandatory but are recommended
Source: Email from Rosemarie Wilson, Turks & Caicos Tourist Board - Canada Office (date: March 10, 2011)


EUROPE

France

In France, car seats are compulsory until the age of 10 or your child is tall enough to use a seat belt (between 1.35 m - 1.50 m). The car seat must be in compliance with European standards (look for a circle with the letter E in the middle). 

Children under 10 must sit in the backseat in their appropriate car seat.

Source: Association Prévention Routière

United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, children must use car seats until they are 12 years old or 135 cm tall, whichever comes first. Only EU-approved car seats can be used (they will have a label showing a capital E in a circle).

The United Kingdom makes a distinction between height-based and weight-based car seats. For height-based car seats, your child must be rear facing until he/she is 15 months old. Your child can be forward facing when he/she is over 15 months.

For weight-based car seats, your child must be rear-facing until they are over 9 kg. After that the seat your child uses depends on their weight:

• 0kg - 13kg: rear facing baby carrier or rear facing baby seat using a harness
• 9kg - 18kg: rear or forward facing baby seat using a harness or safety shield
• 15 kg - 19kg: forward facing child seat (high backed booster seat or booster cushion) using a seatbelt.

The United Kingdom also sets out situations when a child can travel without a car seat, such as in taxis, coaches or when there are unexpected journeys. You can review these rules by visiting "When a child can travel without a car seat" from the United Kingdom's government website.

Source: GOV.UK website: Child car seats: the law. 

Baby Equipment Rental Companies: The Minimalist Packers Dream

My husband and I love to pack light. However, packing light when you are travelling with children is a challenge. Dragging extra bags through airports full of toys, diapers and other baby equipment is not fun. Our solution is to use a baby equipment rental company -- they will deliver toys, strollers, baby bath tubs and other needed items right to your hotel or home. Currently, our favourite equipment to rent is toys. Our boys arrive at our hotel to find a box of new toys waiting for them and spend hours playing while we unpack and get organized.

Below are a list of baby equipment rental companies that we have personally used:


Mont Tremblant, Quebec: Baby Rendezvous
We have rented from Baby Rendezvous twice and love the service that its owner provides. She provides a variety of equipment from cribs, to child carrier backpacks and high end baby sleds. We particularly love the way she provides her box of toys in heavy duty large plastic boxes. It makes clean-up easy. Baby Rendezvous has a great order form that you use to make booking equipment simple and easy.


Ottawa, Ontario: Traveling Toddlers
We often travel to Ottawa to visit family and friends and use this company ever time. The equipment is always in our room waiting for us and drop off is easy too as we just leave it in our room. While Traveling Toddlers has an online order form, I find it is easy to call the company as you need to speak directly to someone to make payment.


New York City, New York: Granny's Rentals
We have travelled to New York City many times with the boys, and often when they both needed to be in a stroller. To successfully travel in New York City with kids you need to act like a New Yorker, and that means you need to be cognizant of space. Most of the double strollers people use in other cities are too big for New York. You will not be able to get into restaurants, museums, or sidewalks as easy as New York parents. The most popular double strollers that I have seen in New York City are the Phil & Ted's line of double strollers and the Maclaren double stroller. Granny's Rentals provided us with a Maclaren double stroller, one that is easy to fold up and hide away in busy restaurants.


Orlando, Florida: Baby's Away
This is a large baby equipment rental company, with over 70 locations in the USA.


Anna Maria Island, Florida: Fun and More Rentals 
Not only does this company provide baby equipment, they also provide bikes, kayaks, grocery delivery, plus much more.