I love living in the USA but.............

[HappyLawyer]

I think at times we have some issues. I am planning a weekend trip to the Falls, i wanted to have my passport stamped since it is another country, I called around and actually spoke to someone at the Rainbow Bridge, they told me i can ask but i may or may not get it stamped- so i of course asked why, i am told the US has asked Canada not to stamp passports,

Why NOT?

Why would the US have a problem with it being stamped, it is another country after all, i just do not understand.

 

[Scratch42]

In order to get your answer, better phone US Customs and Immigration!

j

 

[HappyLawyer]

In order to get your answer, better phone US Customs and Immigration!

j

that has been done already, that is why i made the post.

 

[SaraMc]

Probably because there are a lot and I do mean A LOT of people who do day trips, or go to school and work right across the border and the 24 page passport would be filled up in less than a month.

 

[nosnobunny2006]

It isn't just Canada that doesn't stamp passports. We drive across the border to Buffalo and the southern US regularly to visit family and I've never had my Canadian passport stamped by the US either. When we cruise, the only stamps were when we docked back in Florida. There was one stamp when we flew into Aruba to board a ship but that was years ago and I don't think they do it anymore. I'm not sure of the reason why other than all countries being linked via computer systems. I would imagine they can all bring up any travel history they need at the touch of a key.

Beth

 

[damo]

Last time they stamped mine was 2004 (just checked) and we cross the border several times a year..

 

[HappyLawyer]

Probably because there are a lot and I do mean A LOT of people who do day trips, or go to school and work right across the border and the 24 page passport would be filled up in less than a month.

well of course you would not get it stamped every day, but just one stamp to show you were there, it may seem silly to some, but i would like mine done-lol

 

[sean-1966]

I've had mine stapmed in Miami arriving from the Islands but never driving across from Canada.

 

[Northstar]

Haven't had mine stamped for years, BUT when we presented DD age 8's brand new passport at new US preclearance facility in Halifax in December, this really nice grandfatherly customs guy heard me reminding her that she probably wouldn't get a stamp in it, and HE STAMPED IT for her! She had done a school field trip to the Pier 21 immigration museum, and they did an activity where they gave them passports to get stamped at stations around the museum, so she wanted that stamp.

So I think it's like Disney's Year of a Million Dreams... if you ask for it, they won't give it to you... you have to just really really wish hard and maybe say something wistful to your traveling companions about how great a passport stamp would be.

 

[OntFamily]

The only place where I've had my passport (Canadian) when crossing the US/Canada border is in airports. I frequently have had my passport stamped by US immigrations (and sometimes Canada immigration).

I'm not sure, but I think only an immigration officer can stamp a passport. In an airport, the first point of contact is Immigration, and then you meet a Customs person (usually collecting your border card). At a land crossing, the booth's seemed to be served by Custom's employees, while Immigration employees are inside the office.

I'm betting that if the officer in the booth can't/won't stamp your passport, if you go into the customs and immigration office (which is immediately after the booths), you'll find an immigration officer who will stamp your passport (the people in the office are pretty friendly - unless they suspect you of smuggling). If you've never crossed the Canadian border, this probably sounds more complicated than it really is.

 

[OntFamily]

that has been done already, that is why i made the post.

Was it Canada or US Immigration you phoned?

I know Canada immigration do stamp passports - if you need a Canadian visa (for work, etc), the visa info is stamped in the US (or other country) passport.

 

[Torontogal]

We travel to the US about 20 times a year. We live close to the border so can you imagine if they stamped my passport 20 times?
I kinow it is nice to have the stamps especially if you are a traveller. It is nice looking at old passports and seeing all the countries you have travelled to...