Passport after PR card question (for US citizens)

[AckTivity]

So, I was just wondering how the passport thing was handled after getting PR? I know that the PR card is what you need to get back into Canada after travelling abroad. I also understand that after you become a citizen, you can apply for a Canadian passport.

However, my question is what about while you are still a PR? Will I still need my US passport to get back into the states for a visit? The reason I ask is because my son's was issued when he was younger than 16 which means it cannot be renewed by mail. We would have to go in person, once it was expired. I can let his father help him when he's down for a visit the year it expires, but I would much rather not have to rely on him for that. He can be a bit...unreliable...at times.

So, any thoughts? Will I definitely need to renew the passport if I want to travel (or for my son) or will the PR card and maybe a birth certificate, somehow be enough since we are US citizens?

 

[chakrab]

you show the PR card when you are at the Canadian border and show the US passport at the US border. On occasions the Canadian border may want to see your US passport. You cant travel to US with just a PR.

birth certificates does work for minors, but it would be best to check the CBP site.

http://www.dhs.gov/crossing-us-borders

 

[Rob_TO]

Rules are different if traveling to USA by land or by air from Canada.

By land you don't need a passport and they list other acceptable documents: http://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/whti-program-background/docs-land-sea

For air, it seems to state a valid (so I assume not expired) passport is required: http://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/whti-program-background/docs-air-travel

 

[canvis2006]

Always advisable to have your passport when crossing international borders.

 

[AckTivity]

Thanks for the quick responses everyone! :-* That's pretty much what I was thinking. Okay, when the kiddo's passport expires then I will have his dad help him renew. At least after that we'll be able to do it by mail.