I know Canada is another country... but do you really need a passport?

[KarenAylwood]

DBF just left today for a trip to Seattle to see some friends. I couldn't get the time off from work so I couldn't go

Anyway, he's planning on going to Vancouver to visit his friend's relatives that live there. He called from the airport panicked that he needed a passport to go there. I really wasn't sure since I had only been to Niagara Falls once when I was little and don't know the rules about passports and Canada.

Do you need a passport? If so, I have to overnight it to him and I'd LOVE to be able avoid that!

Thanks!

 

[SwedishMeatball]

Yes, you do. We needed them for our Alaskan cruise when we flew into Vancouver.

 

[BuckNaked]

You didn't need one a few years ago, but I think that may have changed. Don't know for sure.

 

[damo]

No you don't. You need a birth certificate and photo id.

 

[KathyTX]

http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/regional/regional_1170.html

Current Requirements for Entry Into Canada

Visas are not required for U.S. citizens entering Canada from the U.S. You will, however, need:

1) Proof of your U.S. citizenship such as your U.S. passport (For information on obtaining a U.S. passport, check with one of the regional passport agencies located throughout the U.S.) or certified copy of your birth certificate issued by the city, county or state in the U.S. where you were born. If you are a naturalized U.S. citizen and do not have a passport, you should travel with your naturalization certificate. A driver’s license, voter’s registration card or Social Security card is NOT valid proof of citizenship.

2) Photo identification, such as a current, valid driver’s license.

The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 requires that, by January 1, 2008, travelers to and from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Panama, Mexico and Canada have a passport or other secure, accepted document to enter or re-enter the United States. This is a change from prior travel requirements. The goal is to strengthen border security and facilitate entry into the United States for U.S. citizens and legitimate foreign visitors. The U.S. passport is the document of choice because of the incorporated advanced security features.

Travelers to and from Canada will be required to have a U.S. passport or other secure, accepted document to enter or re-enter the United States. For land border crossings to Canada, other documents that we anticipate will be acceptable are NEXUS and FAST program cards. No other document is currently available that will be an acceptable substitute for a U.S. passport, NEXUS or FAST card. However, we are using new technologies to create other acceptable travel documents. We will make public additional travel document options as they become available.

The travel initiative requirements will be rolled out in phases. The proposed implementation timeline is as follows:

* December 31, 2006 – Passport required for all air and sea travel to or from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.

* December 31, 2007 – Passport required for all land border crossings, as well as air and sea travel.

 

[Rachie0507]

Here is a link with the specifics. When we go to Canada, we use our birth certificates and driver licenses. We are going next week, to New Brunswick, and we are assuming this is our last trip without passports.

http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/regional/regional_1170.html

 

[singingpixie]

Don't know how it works out west, but in Niagara Falls last summer, DBF and I didn't have a problem. If we'd had two forms of ID (Drivers license and Birth Certificate for example) we'd have been golden, but even w/ only our licenses, we made it over and back no problem- the people we talked to on the American side before we left said that the worst that could happen was that we'd be detained a couple hours on our way back in while they waited for our background checks. Even after that warning, they didn't give us any problem. We did walk across the border though, so that might have simplified things.

 

[Aidensmom]

I haven't been to Canada since I lived in Ohio a long time ago, but at that time a birth certificate was OK, though no one ever even checked them.

 

[Luv'sTink]

Birth Cert and picture ID is fine for now, they are talking about requiring them for 2008 to get back into the US.

 

[Nancy]

We just show our picture ID's but I always have the kids BC's with us when we go over the border. I just told my DH yeasterday that we have to start getting our passposts now so we all have ours by the time we have to have them to cross back and forth. (I'm planning on spreading them out so I don't have the huge expense all at once)

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Just want to say that the Passport part of my Post Office is doing a brisk business.

I asked the postal worker and he said you are looking at 2+ months to get a Passport, at least here in the Dallas area.

So if you have a vacation planned out of country for 2007, Mexico or Canada you need to go get your Passport now!

 

[MareQ]

My dad lives in VT and works in Canada - so he's back and forth every day - no passport required yet for border crossings but I know we're heading that way soon - within the next year or two.

We're going on a New England Cruise in Sept and I had to renew my passport for that. Guess the cruise lines are getting a jump on the rules.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

OK, read above....starting in 2007, it is REQUIRED to go to Canada.

 

[ILUVMYBRIT]

When people leave for Canada at the airport we have to inform them that we strongly suggest at the very least an official birth certificate with a raised seal from local or state government. It is not needed to get into Canada at this time but by the end of the year as pointed out above it will be required for air travel. The big issue is coming BACK into the states. We tell people that they could be delayed coming back into the country without proof that you actually have a right to travel into the US. We have had people travel without either a passport or a birth certificate be hung up at immigration for 2 hours and miss their flights home. I always tell people to just go and get their passports now. With the soon to be implemented requirements you are going to need one anyways and the wait is going to be a long one when everyone is rushing out at the last minute to get one. They are always a good idea to have.

 

[damo]

OK, read above....starting in 2007, it is REQUIRED to go to Canada.

For all air and sea travel. This doesn't include driving over the border,that will start in 2008.

 

[ntsammy5]

No you don't. You need a birth certificate and photo id.

Make sure you take the birth certificate. We live a few miles from the border and you never know when they'll ask for it. A passport will work even better though. We're getting ones just in case they actually go through with the requirement. My personal opinion is it's a stupid idea.

 

[shortbun]

Send him his passport. He needs it or a govt issued birth certificate plus a valid drivers license which many people do not have(the correct birth certificate, that is). The footprint birth certificate is NOT govt issued. Send him his passport.

 

[shortbun]

The criteria for travel outside the U.S. and into another N.A. country has been set to change now for two years. They are actually doing it. Everyone should have a passport, order it now because next year they will be VERY difficult to get. VERY difficult. The U.S. govt. in it's INFINITE wisdom has not added any passport issuance personell or offices in anticipation of this huge and added burden of work. Travel agents have known about this for a long time and have been urging their clients to get passports this year. Planning a Christmas to New Years vacation to Cancun or on a cruise? You'll need a passport to get into the U.S. because the new rules begin 12/31/06.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

For all air and sea travel. This doesn't include driving over the border,that will start in 2008.

Oh good, although I would rather get it done now.

If you get a Passport how long is it "good". And what about kids? If I get one for my 9yodd how long will that be good?
Should I wait until my 15yo is 16 to get one for her?

Shortbun, I have already been to the Post Office and asked and they said it is crazy! Two months out to get a Passport now. Next year it will be worse, I am sure.