I finally got my passport card in the mail today & now need to get my CANPASS RABC (Remote Area Border Crossing) on its way.

The question is, Can I just send in a photo copy of my passport card front & back, or do I have to provide another form of ID?

Their web site says a copy of your passport is all they need, but I'm not sure if this includes the passport card also.

Troy

I just mailed my and my son's RABC application this afternoon.  I sent copies of our birth certs and driver's licenses (we live in Ohio) even though we both got RABC's and passport cards last year.  The reason is it says you need to send a copy of a passport that includes signature (which the passport card doesn't have)...so to play it safe, we sent the same stuff we used last year.

I called them this evening & they said a photo-copy of the passport card would be fine.

I did send a copy of my drivers license too... just to be safe.

Now I will drop it in the mail tomorrow & hope I get it back before June 10th.

I'm a big fan of the NEXUS card.  Something to think about in the future for you.  It does require a visit to US customs but once you have it, you're in the system until it expires.  It's especially great for kids if Canada is the only foriegn country you visit.  Makes the RABC process much easier.

What is the passport card?  If I have a passport, do I need the "card" too?
I have to renew my RABCP, and plan to do that, but do I also need this "card"?   :-?

intrepid_camper wrote on May 4^th, 2010 at 12:36am:

What is the passport card?  If I have a passport, do I need the "card" too? I have to renew my RABCP, and plan to do that, but do I also need this "card"?   :-?

A passport card in a restricted substitute for a passport.  By restricted, I' mean that the "card" is only valid for bordering countries (Canada/Mexico) and islands in the Caribbean (including Bermuda).  So, a passport trumps a passport card. ;)  I sent a photocopy of my passport with my application a couple of weeks back ... haven't received the RABC yet, but it hasn't been that long.

dd

I renewed my RABC with a photocopy of my passport and received the new RABC in eight days. I did notice they are now only good for 1 year rather than 2 paddling seasons.

Kingfisher wrote on May 4^th, 2010 at 5:41am:

I I did notice they are now only good for 1 year rather than 2 paddling seasons.

Now why do you $uppo$e they would go and do $omething like that?  It'$ really hard to under$tand what motivate$ bureaucratic change$ $uch a$ thi$.

Kingfisher wrote on May 4^th, 2010 at 5:41am:

I renewed my RABC with a photocopy of my passport and received the new RABC in eight days. I did notice they are now only good for 1 year rather than 2 paddling seasons.

Mine have only been good for one season for a few years now. I almost didn't apply for a new one 2 years ago because I thought the old one was still good.

Oh. Canada.

to add to Denton Doc...Passcard is equivalent of Passport (and cheaper)...mexico, canada, caribbean....but land or sea travel only.  Not air travel. (if I remember right).

Just got my Passport after applying for a Passcard...only a few dollars more for the Passport so I upgraded the application.  I recieved it in 3 weeks.


If you time your paddles right....since the RABC is good for a calander year...you could get multiple spring and fall paddles in...at least I have.

wally wrote on May 4^th, 2010 at 10:27pm:

If you time your paddles right....since the RABC is good for a calander year...you could get multiple spring and fall paddles in...at least I have.

But don't send your application in too early.  My application stated that I didn't need an RABC until June.  The  RABC (got it today) says my calendar year runs from April 27th to April 27th.  So, they obviously pay no attention to when you NEED the document.

Just another jab to get more people to go across the border at a normal customs point (to spend more money in Canada!).

dd

Thanks for the replies guys  :)
I have a passport so guess I am set that way.  We often drive up to I Falls to the border and get the RABCP from Canadian Customs while we wait.  
Good to know just a copy of the passport will do when applying by mail.