Crossing the Border

[CdnDisneyNut]

Has anyone cross the border since the terrorist attacks in London this week? I know that they have tighten security
What is the typical delay now?

 

[stashf]

Just went over to Buffalo today and I felt it moved very quickly. We did have to go inside as my friend is a British citizen and she had to get her green paper , fingerprinted etc. She's waiting on her CDN citizenship so we've done this before. Anyways, we asked the employee if it's worse since the attacks the other day in London and he said no, the only real difference is the tour buses , they are all being pulled and all passports checked etc. He said last weekend because of the holidays there were REALLY long waits, in that office alone 4-6 hours!!! But anyways today was very quick (for the border). If not for our pullover we would have been over in about 10 mins altogether.

 

[Disney Ontario]

Hi from Southern Ontario. We went over to Port Huron yesterday(Friday)
at noon. 5 to 10 minute waite. Today(Saturday)We came back over around 4,5 minute waite. But over on the Canadian side, it was lined up almost to the bridge.

 

[highland3]

We were planning to cross at the thousand island Bridge (east of Kingston) yesterday, but it looked close to a 3 hour wait due to stepped up inspections by the US Border Agency.

But... we simply drove to Kingston, took a ferry to Wolfe Island and then another ferry to Cape Vincent, N.Y. No significant delays, although the inspection was more intense than usual.

Coming back late last night, 5-10 minute delay to come back... and no line-up southbound.

 

[hockey mom]

Dh and kids just went down to Six Flags Buffalo the other day, dh says no change going over no change coming back!

 

[caine family of five]

Hi hockeymom
Was wondering what ID you used to get across the border. Just realized that when we got married we kept my last name and he changed his due to the kids are in my name. His birth certificate is in his maiden name (hehehe). His drivers licence is in his married name ? Should they be in the same last name? I am very confused. Didn't think you can change birth certificates? Was wondering if anyone has info about this?
Thank you Christine

 

[sunkissed212]

My boyfriend lives in Belle River, Ontario and I cross the border in Windsor/Detroit about 3-4 times per week (either he or I) and we haven't had any trouble coming into either country.

Security seems to be the same around here. They're still asking for ID and birth certificate/passport and they've been searching a lot of cars. I usually don't have to wait more than 10-15 minutes per trip. Not too bad considering.

 

[NatraleeGifted]

Hi hockeymom
Was wondering what ID you used to get across the border. Just realized that when we got married we kept my last name and he changed his due to the kids are in my name. His birth certificate is in his maiden name (hehehe). His drivers licence is in his married name ? Should they be in the same last name? I am very confused. Didn't think you can change birth certificates? Was wondering if anyone has info about this?
Thank you Christine

Should work the same as it does for a woman who changes her name in marriage. He just needs your marriage certificate. I got mine in a little handy wallet size so I can show Drivers License (married name), Birth Certificate (maiden name) and the names all match up.
You cant change birth certificates. I havent tried this but I talked to Customs and also to Alberta registries and they said this was what you do.
Good Luck!

 

[caine family of five]

Thanks for all the info about the ML and name change.
Christine

 

[striker3636]

Christine...I had my birth certificate changed when I got married (eek - 16 years ago! not exactly current info!). I don't know if you still can. I was under the belief then that you had to get all id changed. (oops). Mine shows my married name and underneath it states nee: maiden name. As long as there is lots of id to piece it all together I wouldn't worry too much.

 

[SaraMc]

We drove over at Queenston-Lewiston on Saturday. Its still under construction and I forgot to check the website for border delays before we left. So we waited for about 40 minutes to get into the US. Once we got there they asked us what we were going to do and how long and wished me a happy birthday and a safe trip. Coming home I dont think the border gaurd even looked up from his book.

 

[CJK]

I haven't crossed the border by car in years! We will likely do so in the next few months. Do you always have to show ID now? Last time I crossed, they just asked you your citizenship and sent you on your way. I can understand the change in security now. TIA

 

[dsneygirl]

We went across at Sarnia the long weekend in Aug and noticed no extra measures.

 

[MamaLema]

Hi hockeymom
Was wondering what ID you used to get across the border. Just realized that when we got married we kept my last name and he changed his due to the kids are in my name. His birth certificate is in his maiden name (hehehe). His drivers licence is in his married name ? Should they be in the same last name? I am very confused. Didn't think you can change birth certificates? Was wondering if anyone has info about this?
Thank you Christine

I strongly suggest that all documents be the same last name, except the birth certificate, which you can't change.

If your DH doesn't want to do this, then I think he should get a Name Change document.

I write from experience. If the name is not the same on all documents, they might make it rough on him

 

[robsawatsky]

I strongly suggest that all documents be the same last name, except the birth certificate, which you can't change.

If your DH doesn't want to do this, then I think he should get a Name Change document.

I write from experience. If the name is not the same on all documents, they might make it rough on him

Which is why a passport is still the best idea. All others can be rejected by Border Services if the agent isn't satisfied of their consistency.