Need help fast re: documents to enter Canada

[DNBois]

Dh and I were supposed to be in Disney right now but we rescheduled for January and decided to head up to Niagara Falls for a few days instead.
We have our licenses; DH found original birth certificate but I only found a copy of my birth certificate. A relative told us today that we may need a passport in addition.
Does anyone know exactly what documentation you need to enter Canada? Thanks!!

 

[poochie]

Your birth certificate should be fine along with a picture id. Your drivers license or school id. We cross the border all the time and they have never asked for more. Just a note though if you are bringing your children be sure you have their BC too. Many times people try to transport children over the border that they have no legal right to.

 

[MosMom]

You do NOT need a passport but you do need an original birth certificate and photo ID. I wouldn't go without a birth certificate. Some people say that just a driver's license will work. It may, it may not. It will probably get you IN to Canada but it might not get you back....being stuck in Canada would be no fun.

 

[Beanie]

We go to Canada all the time (8 minutes from me) and I have never needed a Birth Certificate, only my drivers license, which they rarely ask for. Usually they just ask if we are American citizens and then ask where we are going.

 

[skiwee1]

My mom and her friend went to Canada last month. She was pretty upset with how they were handled. Not only were they not asked for any ID going into Canada but they were not coming back into the US! I really thought since we are supposedly cracking down on security that at least they could do was ask for a driver's license or something. My mom said the boy sitting at the gate, or whatever it's called, had his feet propped up on the counter in front of him and was kind of leaning back. He asked how they were doing and that was it. She said he looked all of 16 years old. So much for our wonderful security. It is no one every lunatic can easily get into the US.

 

[MinnieYC]

A copy of a birth certifiate plus a government is all that US adult residents will need.

 

[MosMom]

We go to Canada all the time (8 minutes from me) and I have never needed a Birth Certificate, only my drivers license, which they rarely ask for. Usually they just ask if we are American citizens and then ask where we are going.

Lucky you. We always get harrassed. Chris is native american and looks like he could be middle eastern I guess. Maybe we get profiled. Even with all our proper documentation we still get the riot act. Driving isn't as bad as flying though. At the airport, it is really strict.

 

[MrsToad]

When we drove to Canada, I called AAA to confirm what I would need. They mentioned the Birth Certificate and also a Certificate of Citizenship that could be obtained from my Town Hall. AAA also mentioned that I should get an insurance card from my car insurance agent showing that I had appropriate coverage for Canada in case we had an accident while there.

 

[Beanie]

Originally posted by MosMom
Lucky you. We always get harrassed. Chris is native american and looks like he could be middle eastern I guess. Maybe we get profiled. Even with all our proper documentation we still get the riot act. Driving isn't as bad as flying though. At the airport, it is really strict.

Maybe, but coming back to the US is worse! They really give you the 3rd degree, which is good, I suppose, but not if you are related to them! LOL

 

[TnKrBeLlA012]

We live close to Canada. I don't like going there because of all the hassle at the border. It depends on who you get. Some of the people are nice,others want to hassle you. Usually it's the little old lady that has to pull over. So to avoid problems I choose to stay in the U.s.

 

[Carl]

I have not been up there since 911, but every time before that, they never asked to see anything. Just asked where we were going and why.

 

[skiwee1]

Originally posted by Beanie
Maybe, but coming back to the US is worse! They really give you the 3rd degree, which is good, I suppose, but not if you are related to them! LOL

Not my mom and her friend. They didn't ask for anything!

 

[Beanie]

I guess it depends on what border you go through?

 

[skiwee1]

Originally posted by Beanie
I guess it depends on what border you go through?

Possibly. She went to Niagara Falls Canada after visiting NY Niagara Falls.

 

[Jeanny]

Originally posted by Beanie
We go to Canada all the time (8 minutes from me) and I have never needed a Birth Certificate, only my drivers license, which they rarely ask for. Usually they just ask if we are American citizens and then ask where we are going.

no wonder the terrorists can get into our countries so easily!

 

[totalia]

You wont need a passport unless thats something the US gvt has recently added. Just a photo ID, birth certificate, etc.

 

[DNBois]

Thanks so much for your very prompt replies - we are heading out right now with what we've got and hope it suffices. We just found out that my sister's in laws came back last week-end and also were not asked for any documention entering and departing which is quite disturbing - thanks again guys!!!

 

[ladydancer]

I remember taking dd to Canada about 15 years ago. She was 12 years old at the time. We were going on vacation to ride the train through the Canadian wilderness.

They stopped us at the border asked the usually questions...where you from, where you going? Asked us to park our car and come inside.

We started getting interogated! It was rather scary!. My dd was so scared she wouldn't answer there questions. I told her to answer there question so we could leave. One of the questions they asked me was "do you have a note from your husband"? That question kinda took me aback. He explained that it was "unusually for a women to be traveling alone with a young child to another country". So perhaps I was in a custody dispute and trying to leave the country.

Finally they let us go with a warning. They said it was possible we could get stopped coming back to the US and not let back in. Well, that ruined the whole trip. I was so upset the whole time, worried we might not get to go back home.

Also about 10 years ago I was traveling alone to Vegas to meet some friends. When I checked in my suitcase, I was told they were separating it from the rest to scan it. It was told to me again that is was "usually for a woman to be traveling alone to Vegas".

Just to let you know, I am female, very light skinned, in my 30's when these things happened. I'm of English decent, ancestors came here in the 1600's. Even now I'm always the one stopped and get's questioned and special attention at the airports since 9/11 and of course I'm older now. Go figure!

 

[totalia]

Weird, I've never had that happen. Though I did have them check my bags once but that seems to be rather random and it was on the bus not the plane.

I just get asked the usual questions and then let go and I almost always travel alone and going to New Orleans.

 

[caitycaity]

i must look suspicious. we always get asked for documents.

from the state department's website:

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 or Social Security card is NOT valid proof of citizenship.

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

http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/tips_canada.html

i would not travel without the requirements as you may face considerable hassle trying to get back into the us.