OT-crossing to the US

[Claud26]

long story but been in Canada for over 20 yrs and never got around to getting my Canadian Citizenship mainly (I know this sounds stupid) because I don't want to Dish out $200.00 to get it and I'm just such to lazy... SO last year when we went to Disney, Crossing in Fort Erie everyone but me had a Canadian Passport and I was hauled in because my passport was European...
ANYway, I wanted to make a quick Shopping trip to Buffalo on My B-day, do you think they would give me a hard time if I just showed them my Drivers License?

 

[highland3]

The DL will work... but their ears will perk up when you answer the citizenship question. You may get some extra questions... and could be refused entry. Likely not... but anything is possible.

 

[Northstar]

Claud26, you're playing with fire if you don't have a permanent residence card...they're new in (I think) 2003/2004, and you're now supposed to have one to come back INTO Canada if you're not a citizen. Of course, they don't always ask to see one, just like they don't always ask to see your proof of citizenship, but you might as well bite the bullet and get your Canadian citizenship.. the PR card application is just as much a pain in the butt as a passport application, and the darn thing only lasts for 5 years, just like a passport.

But will you have trouble if you only show a driver's license? Probably not. Be sure to bring your passport as backup in case they ask. And whatever you do, don't lie if they ask "are you a Canadian?" while looking at your driver's license... it seems like the easy thing to do to save everyone trouble but those folks have NO sense of humor about glossing over inconvenient facts!

 

[cdnmickeylover]

I would go get the Cdn resident card and then apply for citizenship. It will save alot of hassles since a lot of other countries need visas to enter the US now. Whatever happens don't lie about your citizenship but you will need a passport - if you aren't Canadian you won't be able to get into the US or more importantly back into Canada with just a driver's license.

 

[Northstar]

Just another thought.... you say your passport is European but not which country... if your country is not in the visa waiver program (basically that's the UK I think) you now need a visa to enter the US even if you are a permanent resident in Canada. More $$, more trouble... Canadian citizenship and a Canadian passport are looking better and better!

 

[Claud26]

oh NO, I have my PR card and have a Valid European Passport with the New requierements ... However it's just a hassel to get out of the car and get finger printed... and I'm certainly not going to lie about it either ... just wondering if I could flash my DL and keep going.
I guess save Side take my Passport and I guess I have to bite the bullet and get my dual citizenship.

 

[CDN Prince Charming]

Keep in mind too, that in approximately January '08, a DL will no longer suffice to cross the border by car. You will need a passport or other ID to get across.

CDN Prince Charming

 

[Northstar]

hey Claudia, I'll be biting that bullet too and going for dual. Maybe we'll get to vote in the next elections! Yay Canada, my home if not native land.

 

[sweetascanbee]

The thing about the DL it doesnt prove you are Canadian, just thet you are licensed to drive in Canada. All the time my husband and I have crossed the border INTO the US, we have had to show DL (for picture) and Birth certificate for proof of citizenship.

The only exception was one time coming home pulling our camper a very friendly Border guy welcomed us home and waved us through.

A friend of mine who is a Canadian Citizen but was born in France, went with her husband for an afternoon drive one day, they just wanted to go down into Washington for some shopping. She didnt have a passport and showed them DL and BC, They were pulled aside and the entire vehicle was pulled apart and searched. When she questioned as to why, they said it was a random check.

One time while boarding a plane, we were boarding first because our DD is in a wheelchair, half way down the ramp they pulled my DH aside and made him take off his shoes, empty all his pockets, searched his back pack etc. This was AFTER we had cleared security and customs. We were literally feet from the plane. The was also called a random check.

So I wouldn't chance it. We both have had passports for a couple years now.
Do what ever it is you have to do to get proper identification. You wouldnt want to get stuck outside the country.

Becky