Crossing the Border with our Child

[yosh12]

Hi,

We are going to be crossing the border at Fort Erie on our way to Disney. My wife has her license and I have my passport. Now my son who is nine has his birth certificate, health card and SIN as ID. But none of them have pictures.

Do you think that will be enought ID for him or is there something else we should get for him.

 

[alissa -dawn]

Hi, I crossed in Jan. with my three daughters. They had birth certificates and I had my birth certificate and license. No problems at all. The kids were just asked who was who. Have a great time.

 

[BCDisneyFanatic]

I've never had problems crossing with just birth certificates for my girls. Shouldn't be an issue until next January!

Have a great time,
Heather

 

[myasmum]

I've never had problems crossing with just birth certificates for my girls. Shouldn't be an issue until next January!

Have a great time,
Heather

I have always travelled myself with OHIP card and Birth Cert as I dont have a passport or drivers lisence and my kids I also carry thier Birth Cert and OHIP card as well and havent had a problem.
Plus I heard that children will not be reqiured to have a passport even by land as there would be too much problems expecially since there alot of group, teams, etc... that go to the US so I think they will be waving this for kids http://cbsa.gc.ca/agency/whti-ivho/how-comment-e.html

 

[highland3]

No worries. We cross regularly using the kids birth certificates.

 

[Boncho]

You shouldn't have any problem, but you can get your child a picture ID at the Registry of Motor Vehicles. Just take your child and his birth certificate etc. and they will give you a picture ID for around $20. I did this for my son three years ago before we got our passports.

 

[myasmum]

You shouldn't have any problem, but you can get your child a picture ID at the Registry of Motor Vehicles. Just take your child and his birth certificate etc. and they will give you a picture ID for around $20. I did this for my son three years ago before we got our passports.

Do you know if they do this for adults? As no one will use my OHIP (health Card) as ID as people can get the # and use it so I wanted another legal piece of ID since I dont drive and I didnt want to spend over $80 for a passport right now as they expire in 5yrs and wouldnt use it that often.
Thanks

 

[Boncho]

Do you know if they do this for adults? As no one will use my OHIP (health Card) as ID as people can get the # and use it so I wanted another legal piece of ID since I dont drive and I didnt want to spend over $80 for a passport right now as they expire in 5yrs and wouldnt use it that often.
Thanks

Since you don't drive, I don't see why they wouldn't do it for adults as long as you have your birth cert. and 1 or 2 other pieces of ID. Just give them a call - I imagine they do it for anyone, not just children.

 

[snowangel72]

You do not need a passport for ground crossings until Jan 2008. So, you are fine til then but then everyone needs a passport in the new year.
Melanie

 

[Princess Stitch]

Do you know if they do this for adults? As no one will use my OHIP (health Card) as ID as people can get the # and use it so I wanted another legal piece of ID since I dont drive and I didnt want to spend over $80 for a passport right now as they expire in 5yrs and wouldnt use it that often.
Thanks

I know the LCBO used to issue an "age of majority" card which was a valid government photo ID for the purpose of people who wanted to drink but didn't have a licence. Not sure if they still do. I've always used my health card with no problems.

 

[alexy]

Hi,

We are going to be crossing the border at Fort Erie on our way to Disney. My wife has her license and I have my passport. Now my son who is nine has his birth certificate, health card and SIN as ID. But none of them have pictures.

Do you think that will be enought ID for him or is there something else we should get for him.

I cross very frequently between US & Canada with my family at multiple border crossings. You won't have a problem with just using your son's birth certificate. It's all I've ever used for my 3 kids.

However, you should have both a birth certificate and a license for your wife. Assuming your licence is a picture ID, it proves who you are, but not your citizenship.

Also, someone else mentioned that "everyone" needs a passport starting January 2008. This is not completly true. Kids under age 16 will be able to cross (land or sea) with a only birth certificate as long as they are with their parents (16-18 can cross with parents OR adult supervised group).