Question about going to Canada from US? UPDATE 1st Post

[Pembo]

We are headed to Niagara Falls from the US. I know I need birth certificates...do I need the originals or can I take photocopies????

UPDATE: We left for our trip to NF on Thursday am as planned taking dh's copy of his bc. Going into Canada they only asked us a few questions. Coming home today (Sat) we were asked for our driver's licenses and they asked a few questions. No mention of the bc's at all. Alot of angst for nothing. Thanks to everyone who posted...Wed night when I posted I was completely freaked bc we were planning to leave in the am. Everything worked out fine and we made our trip to NF before the passport law.

 

[hpygrll]

When we drove over in March - we didn't need anything... Are you flying or driving?
Jenny

 

[Pembo]

We're driving and I have certified birth certificates for everyone BUT dh. His is a photocopy....

 

[hpygrll]

I really don't think you need anything - we didn't.....

Jenny

 

[ducklite]

I would take the originals. We've had times that we were pretty much waved through with our passports, even when we told them we were declaring two cases of wine and three cases of beer--way over the limit--and needed to pay the duty. They laughed, thanked us for being hinest, and sent us on our way without charging us.

Another time we were coming over with a "legal" amount of alcohol and passports, and they asked us bizarre questions, as if they were trying to trip us up or catch us in a lie.

Yet another time they wanted to know if the wine was "homemade," and didn't care about anything else, inclusing certain tobacco products.

There just seems to be no rhyme or reason, and I'd always err on the side of caution.

Anne

 

[Pembo]

What happens if they ask for the original and dh doesn't have it???

 

[Yzma and Kronk]

You will need proof of citizenship - the best is a passport, but birth certificates and photo ID for adults should do.

From the Canadian Gov't website: You will, however, need (1) proof of your U.S. citizenship such as (a) your U.S. passport or (b) original or certified copy of your birth certificate and photo identification.

Here is a good link for you;

http://www.amcits.com/enter_canada.asp

hpygrll - It sounds as if you were not asked for ID when you crossed - sometimes they don't ask, but you should always have it on hand because if they ask and you don't have it you won't be allowed in.

Also you need your ID to get back into the U.S. for the return trip.

Have a great trip!

 

[Cruisin]

I don't think it would be wise to try and cross the border without any identification showing your citizenship.

Here is an excerpt taken from the Canadian government website, Information for Visitors to Canada

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/E/pub/cp/rc4161/rc4161-e.html#P003



Arriving in Canada

Our border services officers are at the ports of entry to ensure that people entering Canada respect Canadian laws. They are authorized to examine people and goods entering Canada to determine their admissibility. Their goal is to facilitate the entry of legitimate travellers and goods as quickly as possible.

When you enter Canada, a border services officer may ask to see your passport and a valid visa, when necessary. If you are a citizen of the United States, you do not need a passport to enter Canada; however, you should carry proof of your citizenship such as a birth certificate, certificate of citizenship or naturalization or a Certificate of Indian Status, as well as a photo ID. If you are a permanent resident of the United States, you must bring your permanent resident card (i.e. green card) with you. For more information on admissibility into Canada, read the fact sheet called Managing Access to Canada. It is available on our Web site at www.cbsa.gc.ca.

I hope this helps.

 

[hpygrll]

Good to know though!!! I guess we were lucky - it was a spur of the moment trip

Jenny

 

[Pembo]

I read all that but I still am not sure if dh will need a CERTIFIED bc? Obviously he'll have his license, do you think we'll be okay with a copy? And what could happen if we don't have a CERTIFIED bc?

 

[ducklite]

What happens if they ask for the original and dh doesn't have it???

On the way into Canada you will be refused entry. On the way back you can be refused entry into the US until his citizenship can be positively proven--that might mean taking a trip to the US Embassy in TO and getting an emergency passport--a very expensive proposition.

A DL does not prove citizenship. A photocopy of a BC is generally not recognized as valid by governmental authorities.

Anne

 

[LukenDC]

When I flew to Canada in June, I was questioned by Canadian customs and immigration because I did not know the EXACT address of where I was going (I was going to a rural farm owned by a friend). I had to have a special interview with an immigration officer and then she interviewed my friend who was waiting in the arrivals area. When all was said and done they gave me a six month visa despite the fact that I was only there for a weekend.

It was an odd experience and I have no idea why I was singled out. I had a fresh Marine style haircut, so perhaps they thought I was military. When I told the officer that I met my friend at a gay event in DC, she became much more relaxed and welcoming.

 

[Karel]

It sounds like he needs a certified copy. Maybe you can get it approved by a notary? But I don't know if I'd take that chance.

OTH, I had all our papers ready and nobody asked to look at them. They asked who we were traveling with, we said our kids, they opened the van back door (I'm so happy nothing fell out!), said hi to the kids and that was that.

 

[Northstar]

A photocopy of a birth certificate is completely useless as proof of anything. It's just a convenient memory jog in case you lose the certified copy and need to remind yourself of what was on it. Keep in mind that somebody could make 50 photocopies of a birth certificate and generate 50 fake IDs from it... on the other hand, it's way harder to get your hands on a certified BC, and the issuing authority would never allow 50 applications for that one BC to go out without a question.

You can chance it without his birth certificate... lots of cars get through without more than a casual questioning. The thing is, you won't be able to stop worrying if you DO get into Canada with no questions asked... you could face big problems when you try to re-enter the US, and if you are like me, that spectre would haunt you AND make you look nervous and guilty as you are pulling up to the border crossing, which makes them that much more likely to examine you closely...

 

[Pembo]

Well crap...we are supposed to go on this trip in a few days and he was born in another state.

 

[IwasatWDWforamonth]

whatever you do, dont buy an eraser.

 

[Karel]

There is some website that you can look up - like vitalstat - where you can send away to any state for a BC. Maybe they can rush it?

Or look up that state's website and maybe there is a department of records and ...something and they'll send it to you ASAP.

 

[Cool-Beans]

whatever you do, dont buy an eraser.

 

[Conservative Hippie]

OT, but I just found out that my original birth certificate (from AL) will be invalid in FL next year when a bunch of new rules go into effect....because the date is stamped along the side instead of at the top! Ridiculous!

 

[LisaB]

We just came back from there. Our friends who were staying on the Canadian side said that they only asked for drivers license