A little off topic for travel to canada-I know you can help me!

[musicgirl]

I know this is off topic, but this has to do with travel documentation to canada. Everyone here is always so nice to help.

If anyone has recently traveled with children under 18 to Canada, I need to know what documents they need. We are taking a group of students ages13-18. I know they need an original bc.

I had to laugh because someone mentioned the "raised seal". Of course having read many threads here about bc, I know that not all bc have the raised seal.

If anyone has this info, I would greatly appreciate it.

Sorry about the off-topic thread!!!
Thanks, Lorie

 

[DVCanuck Jr]

To cross the border into canada typically you need to pieces of ID for each person. (BC and Driver's liscence for adults). for teens, they prefer government issue documents, but in a bind, I've used my student card from school to get through.

 

[musicgirl]

Thanks, I knew someone here could help!

 

[canuk8156]

Hi Musicgirl....from a Canadian.
You left a bit of information out of your question so I am going to assume a few things...
1/ all travelers are U.S.citizens
2/ your are travelling with a group of students, some of whom are not your own children

U.S. citizens require proof of citizenship (eg. b.c.) AND government issued photo i.d. (drivers licence for most people)...just a drivers licence is not enough as it only proves that you have the privledge of driving and proves nothing about your citizenship.

For the students, birth certificates will be fine, but if they have photo i.d., best to bring it along.

If some of them are not your own then it would be good idea to bring along a letter from their parents stating they have permission to travel with you. If possible this letter should be notorized. It should include all their contact information and travel dates. If this is an organized group (for a tournament or similar) then it would be a good idea to have some paperwork showing this so they would less inclined to ask for letters from the parents.
(I believe the letter may be requested for those 16yr or under but don't quote me on that!!)


You didn't mention how you are getting here, If you are flying, then I have found they may be more strict with regards to documents. If you are driving across the border, then in the past I have found them a bit more lax, although there is no guarantee of this.


Double check with all of them to see they all have U.S. citizenship.
Don't just assume this. Requirements may be different.

You'll love it here....but dang it's cold right now.
Let me know where you're going and I will help you with other information if I can.

 

[disney6]

Just another side note. IF the students are not your children, I'd also have the parents provide a letter giving you permission to authorize any medical care (plus bring along a copy of their medical insurance cards). When my family travels here to see us, they only need to show bc for their kids (all under 18).

 

[musicgirl]

Thanks for the addtional info.

My dh,ds and I have traveled to Canada on our own and we had a wonderful time. I can never get enough of the Falls. But, we haven't been there since 9-11.

We are taking our band students for a competition in Toronto by bus. They are not all mine (LOL). I only have a ds-13 going with us. We are staying at the Radisson Plaza hotel in Toronto, going to eat at Hard Rock at the skydome (we did this on our last trip and it was great), there will be a game that evening. We will of course do the Maid of the Mist. We are also spending the day a Paramount's Canada's Wonderland. What is the weather like in early May?

We have traveled many years with the group, but never out of the US. We always bring medical permission (and cards) with us when we do. I've actually taken 3 students on 3 different trips to the hospital over the years. That's always a good time!

My main concern were the photo id's. Most of the students do have licenses, the rest of the high school kids have school id's. However, we do have a handful of kids from the Jr. High that do not.

I had also heard about the notarized letter from the parents. I had not thought to check for citizenship. I'll make sure to check on that.

So, for the students, the only thing they have to have is the birth certificate. It is recommended that they have a photo id and a notarized letter from the parents, but this is not necessary.


Thanks again!

 

[disney6]

Early May in Toronto -- dress warm! Sometimes it can be warm but downtown Toronto is always a bit cooler. You might want to think about taking the ferry over to the islands -- it's really nice! Just bring jackets!

 

[musicgirl]

Thanks for the weather outlook! Many of our young ladies try to catch some rays on our annual spring trip and probably will not bring jackets if we don't tell them it will be cool! To them it is still better to look good than to feel good!

Bye Lorie