Passport to drive to the USA??

[canadaman]

Do I need a passport to drive to the USA currently. I have been told that you do. But on the internet all i can find is that you need one by June of 09.

Can anyone help??

 

[mtmbyck]

Nope - no passport - just photo ID and proof of citizenship (birth certtificate) for anyone over 18. We were just there and crossed in Port Huron by car. Then we flew domestiv Detroit to Orlando and they did not need to know anything about citizenship since it was a domestic flight - no customs.

 

[canadaman]

One more question. Do kids have to have the long form birth certificate or will the normal one do just fine??

 

[rjan67]

Normal birth certificate is fine. Something else people might not know is that a Nexus card (name differs at some crossings) is also now acceptable as I.D. to cross as well as to fly to the U.S., Mexico and the Carribean. If you are flying out of a Canadian airport you need an retina scan (which is available at Pearson for example) with your Nexus card. These are only $50 each for adults and free for children.

 

[Saratoga Souris]

Living in Windsor and having a cottage in Michigan, we cross the border fairly often so ....

Photo ID and proof of citizenship (birth certificate is fine)
Kids/adults etc, the short form is just fine (none of us even have the long form)
One thing to note:
If both parents are crossing with kids = no problem
If both parents are not with kids you need "permission" from the "other" parent!
If you need more info you can PM me but if both parents are travelling together , don't worry

 

[SaskDisNut]

Do I need a passport to drive to the USA currently. I have been told that you do. But on the internet all i can find is that you need one by June of 09.

Can anyone help??

This is from the Canada Border Services website:

Documents for travel to the United States

Land ports of entry



As of January 31, 2008, Canadian citizens travelling by land to the United States must present one of the following:

• a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s licence, PLUS a birth certificate or citizenship card; or
• a valid passport; or
• a NEXUS card; or
• a Free and Secure Trade (FAST) card; or
• an enhanced driver’s licence; or
• a Certificate of Indian Status card; or
• for those aged 18 years and under only proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate, is required.

There will be a transition period during which time travellers who do not present the appropriate documents may be delayed while U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers attempt to verify their citizenship and identity. Travellers may also be given an information sheet explaining the new procedures. The intent of this transition period is to raise awareness of the change, educate travellers and allow ample time for them to obtain the necessary documents.
The transition period will continue for approximately 18 months until the full implementation of the WHTI document requirements for travel to the United States by land and water takes effect June 1, 2009.
Upon full implementation of the U.S. WHTI on June 1, 2009, Canadian citizens will be required to present one of the following U.S. WHTI-compliant documents when travelling to, through or from the United States by land:

• a valid passport; or
• a NEXUS card; or
• a Free and Secure Trade (FAST) card; or
• an enhanced driver’s licence (EDL) (in provinces and territories where U.S.-approved EDL programs are implemented).

It is expected that the new secure Certificate of Indian Status card will also be accepted once it receives U.S. approval as a secure WHTI-compliant document.
Canadian citizens 15 years of age and under will only require proof of citizenship, such as an original or a copy of a birth certificate, or a Canadian citizenship card. Canadian citizens 18 years of age and under who are travelling with a school or other organized group, under adult supervision with parental/guardian consent, may also present proof of citizenship alone.
Entry requirements to the United States have not changed for non-Canadian citizens residing in Canada. For more information on U.S. entry requirements, consult the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Web site.

 

[canadaman]

My birth certificate is folded in half. Is that going to matter to them at all? I know that sounds stupid but you never know with the government.

 

[BKMETV]

I won't ask why it's folded I wouldn't think it matters...but if you're really worried just order a new one. It cost me $35 to replace a lost one and it arrived in just over a week. I did it online. Might be worth the cost for your peace of mind.

 

[RoyalCanadian]

My birth certificate is folded in half. Is that going to matter to them at all? I know that sounds stupid but you never know with the government.

It won't matter. In Ontario these things are paper, not necessarily laminated either -- easily folded.

 

[canadaman]

Does croosing the border using your birth certificate and drivers liecense instead of a passport cause any more delay??

 

[rjan67]

No.