You should have a valid Canadian passport for all trips outside Canada.
You are advised to:
- [For travel to hawaii] your passport [should] be valid for six months beyond your date of entry.
- Complete the emergency contact information on page 4 when you receive your new passport. Passport Canada recommends that you provide the name of someone who would not normally accompany you.
- Photocopy the identification page of your passport and carry this separate from your passport while abroad. Also leave one photocopy at home.
As of October 26, 2004, the U.S. Visa Waiver Program requires visitors from various countries to have Machine Readable Passports to enter the U.S. This requirement does not apply to Canadian citizens even if the Canadian passport is issued abroad.
Please consult the Canadian Border Services Agency's (CBSA) Web site for information on the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative.
To avoid delays and other problems that will hinder their return to Canada, Canadian citizens are strongly advised to obtain a Canadian passport prior to initiating international travel and to use their Canadian passport at all times for international travel. Before attempting return travel to Canada, Canadian citizens who do not hold a valid Canadian passport should contact the nearest Canadian government office abroad.
Passport related links
See the Foreign Affairs & International Trade webite for further details, updated documents or forms:
http://www.voyage.gc.ca/preparation_information/passport_passeport-eng.asp
