GFH - North Dakota to use federal passport alternative for border crossings

Grand Forks Herald



North Dakota to use federal passport alternative for border crossings

Published March 05 2009


North Dakotans traveling to Canada and Mexico after June 1 will have a less expensive option than a passport to ease Canadian border crossings. The state had been looking to issue its own enhanced driver's license, but instead opted for the U.S. State Department-issued passport cards, or "passcards" that are available now.

By: Kevin Bonham, Grand Forks Herald

North Dakotans traveling to Canada and Mexico after June 1 will have a less expensive option than a passport to ease Canadian border crossings.

Read the whole article here.

Snippet(s):

"The state had been looking to issue its own enhanced driver's license, but instead opted for the U.S. State Department-issued passport cards, or "passcards" that are available now.
They cost $45 for adults, compared with $100 for passports. And they fit in a wallet, just like a driver’s license."

"(T)he provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Ontario have developed an enhanced identification card that meets U.S. federal guidelines."

"The U.S. passport card differs from a passport in that it easily fits into a wallet and may be used as a border crossing document when returning from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean or Bermuda by land or sea.

But residents traveling by air must use a passport."

&

"A passport costs $100 for those 16 and older and $85 for those younger (renewals are less).

A passcard costs $45 for those 16 and older ($25 if you have a passport) and $35 for those younger.

The passcard is valid for 10 years for those 16 and older and valid for 5 years for those younger."