Can I get a passport?

[BSHAW27]

Ok so my wife is a permanent resident alien and she was brought into the country by her mother when she was a small child and she does not have a passport. We have traveled to the bahamas in the past and she was able to get back in the country with just her US driver's license and resident alien card. I know the rules have changed and they say everyone needs a passport to get back into the US but I am not sure if she can get one. Since she is not a US citizen can she apply for a passport in the US? If not how else could she possibly get one. We were planning to go to Niagra falls later this year and we would be driving to Canada so does she really need one to do that or will the driver's licens and permanent resident alien card work fine?

Thanks in advance!

 

[bestpal]

What country ws she originally from? Just to the embassy of her country of origin and apply for her passsport or some travel document.

 

[Jackolantern]

Call her country's embassy in the US. If they have a web site, the site probably would have instructions and downloadable PDF's of the passport application form.

 

[BSHAW27]

Thanks guys I didn't really think about getting one from them. So once she has a passport for another country she can enter the US without a problem?

 

[Jackolantern]

Thanks guys I didn't really think about getting one from them. So once she has a passport for another country she can enter the US without a problem?

Of course. What do you think other permanent residents do? Their passport isn't a US passport.

 

[jllag1]

Since she is not a US citizen can she apply for a passport in the US?

From your Q, I would assume that you are not aware of the consequences of claiming US citizenship when you are not one. Never make that claim as it will have unpleasant consequences for that person. Just a word of caution.

 

[BSHAW27]

From your Q, I would assume that you are not aware of the consequences of claiming US citizenship when you are not one. Never make that claim as it will have unpleasant consequences for that person. Just a word of caution.

You obviously misunderstood the question. I was trying to figure out if she could apply for a passport while she was in the US. Not asking if she could apply for a US passport. There was never any thought of 'claiming she was a citizen'.

I found the address and phone number of the Nicaragua Embassy in D.C. but nothing online to get forms so I might call them tomorrow and see what is needed and how long it will take to get one.

 

[thankful]

There is an easy option: apply for naturalization, become a United States citizen and get U.S. passport.

The second option is to apply to the USCIS for a Permit to Reenter the United States which can serve as a passport.

 

[jllag1]

You obviously misunderstood the question. I was trying to figure out if she could apply for a passport while she was in the US. Not asking if she could apply for a US passport. There was never any thought of 'claiming she was a citizen'.

Yes, I misread your Q. My bad.

 

[BSHAW27]

There is an easy option: apply for naturalization, become a United States citizen and get U.S. passport.

The second option is to apply to the USCIS for a Permit to Reenter the United States which can serve as a passport.

Yes the perfect solution would be to become a US citizen but because of the short time period before this trip was planned I was hoping for a quicker way. We are still waiting for her replacement card and when that is recieved we can start the process to get her citizenship but I imagine it will take quite a while to get that done.

Anyone know for sure if a passport is required to drive accross the border to Canada?

 

[thankful]

Yes the perfect solution would be to become a US citizen but because of the short time period before this trip was planned I was hoping for a quicker way. We are still waiting for her replacement card and when that is recieved we can start the process to get her citizenship but I imagine it will take quite a while to get that done.

Anyone know for sure if a passport is required to drive accross the border to Canada?

no it is not. in fact no passport is required for a green card holder to fly to Canada directly from the United States.

 

[cafeconleche]

But, she would need proof of PR status, and since she's applied for a replacement GC, and has no passport, she has no such proof, right?

 

[BSHAW27]

no it is not. in fact no passport is required for a green card holder to fly to Canada directly from the United States.

Is there any way to confirm this? I went online and did a search for this information and it was all very vague and basically said the rules to get into Canada are different then the rules to get back and basically said always have your passport with you.

But, she would need proof of PR status, and since she's applied for a replacement GC, and has no passport, she has no such proof, right?

Correct she does not have proof right now but we were not planning to travel until July so I am hoping the green card will show up before then. At the biometrics appointment they told us the card would show up in 3-6 months so as long as it under 6 we should be OK.

 

[Jackolantern]

Is there any way to confirm this? I went online and did a search for this information and it was all very vague and basically said the rules to get into Canada are different then the rules to get back and basically said always have your passport with you.

I don't know about getting into Canada, but when coming back from Canada the green card alone is definitely sufficient without a passport.

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html
(see the links under the heading "Federal Regulations" near the end of the page)

 

[thankful]

I don't know about getting into Canada, but when coming back from Canada the green card alone is definitely sufficient without a passport.

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html
(see the links under the heading "Federal Regulations" near the end of the page)

They (Canada) will let you in with a GC. The best way to do this is to email the Canadian Consulate and they will reply with a message confirming this. Take a printout of that email with you when you go to Canada. If Canadian immigration gives you a hard time (unlikely but possible) show them the email.

 

[BSHAW27]

Guys thanks so much for this info it is very helpful I was really thinking we were going to have to postpone this vacation because of this. Now I just have to cross my fingers and hope the replacement green card actually shows up in time!!