i asked - how OKAY am i?

Not a silly question at all. The short answer is yes, the longer answer is...

If you are travelling by car, then your recently expired passport and your alien card should be sufficient - though it is ultimately up to the discretion of the border officials (both directions). [nat wants to know: what does that exactly mean?]

If you are travelling by plane, bus, train, then the 'carrier' will probably be more particular about documentation. If you have not sent your application for a new passport, then your citizenship card along with the alien card and expired passport will be okay (until the end of the year when the new US passport requirement comes into effect).

Best advice... Get the new passport soon.

more mind numbing info: Was your passport issued for the full 5 years, or only 1 year? If it was issued for the full 5 years, then you must apply for a new passport. You can print out the application from www.passport.gc.ca and send the completed application to the Passport office in Canada as per the instructions.

If the passport was issued for only one year because you did not have the original proof of citizenship, then it can be extended to the full 5 year validity. Submit the document which created the reason for the limitation (i.e. original birth certificate, original Canadian citizenship certificate, photocopy of your updated U.S. alien resident card or other U.S. visa.)

Please forward the above along with your:
- current passport
- processing fee in the form of a money order or certified cheque made payable to the Receiver General or by credit card. The processing fee is currently CAD$12.00.

To the following address:
Regular Mail: The Passport Office, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1A 0G3. or by Courier to: The Passport Office, 70 Cremazie, Gatineau, Quebec, Canada J8Y 3P2
Tel: (800) 567-6868.

For a status inquiry on the processing of your case fax a request to (819)994-0469. Provide your full name, date and place of birth, the date you mailed it, how you mailed it and provide a telephone number where the Passport Office can reach you.
NOTE: We do not have computer access to the files in Ottawa, this is the only manner in which you can obtain the status of your case.

Ruth Gunn
Consular Program Officer/Agent Consulaire
Canadian Consulate General/Consulat général du Canada
412 Plaza 600/6th Ave. & Stewart St.
Seattle, WA 98101-1286
Direct: 206-770-4105
Fax: 206-443-9662
website: www.seattle.gc.ca

The Canadian Consulate is moving!

As of September 19th, 2006, our new address will be:
1501 4th Ave., Suite 600
Seattle, WA 98101