Travel to Canada

As you may know, travel to Canada, Mexico and the Caribean now requires a passport or a Enhanced Drivers License (EDL).

At this time, New York is one of 6 states that issues such a license. Most of the documentation for the EDL can be obtained on line at http://nysdmv.com . If you go to the site, click on "Driver's Licenses......" and it will take you to a site where you can get all the forms and documentation for getting the license. Take them to the DMV. YOU MUST HAVE YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY CARD AS ONE FORM OF ID. Cost is about $35.

If your passport is less than 15 years old (it has been expired less than 5 years), you can renew your it by entering all the information on line at the State Department web site, http://travel.state.gov . By cllicking on "Apply for a Passport or Passport Card", you can fill in the forms on line, print them out and mail them. Just add the required picture. Cost is $75.

If you don't have a passport, and want to get one, you will have to go to a Post Office, Town Clerk, etc and get the forms and have them certify your identity. This will add another $25 to the $75 above.

The biggest advantage of the EDL is cost. However, you cannot fly between countries using this form of ID and it's limited to Canada, Mexico and certain Carribean countries. That may change.