Land crossing into US - Passport Question - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Engine09 · 06-01-2007, 09:13 PM

Planning a trip to Denver, I have a passport but the friend who is going with me does not. She's waiting on it, but most likely won't be ready in the next 2 weeks.

Anyways, searching for info right now, I did see something that stated Passprts are mandatory to fly into the US right now like we've all heard, BUT not for land crossings until 2008.

Is this accurate?

jam26 · 06-01-2007, 09:16 PM

Yes, a birth certificate and driver's licence will do for now.

Clever_Iggy · 06-01-2007, 09:24 PM

Yup - youre good to go if youre traveling by land.

Engine09 · 06-01-2007, 09:29 PM

Nice!

Thanks guys.

Devils'Advocate · 06-02-2007, 07:13 AM

Though a warning was issued last week saying that some US border guards are being a-holes and sending people back without passports. I don't think they worded it like that, but that's close.

I'm going to Orlando on Monday but didn't think my passport would be ready in time. Fortunately it was, but if it wasn't I would have driven to Buffalo and then flown to Orlando.

ken0042 · 06-04-2007, 08:53 AM

When I flew into the US in December (prior to the maditory passport thing) I had my birth certificate and DL in hand ready to go. I also had my passport which had expired a year earlier.

US Customs preferred to use my passport as a means of identification; even though it was technically expired. The have some sort of bar code reader that scans your passport and shows your recent travel into the US.

If your friend has a passpor that has recently expired; it might be something to bring along as well. Just be sure to tell the customs official that it is expired; as was mentioned some of them have a chip on their shoulder.

tvp2003 · 06-04-2007, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Devils'Advocate

I'm going to Orlando on Monday but didn't think my passport would be ready in time. Fortunately it was, but if it wasn't I would have driven to Buffalo and then flown to Orlando.

So the passport requirement only applies if you're flying into the US, not within the US, right? I am planning drive down to Seattle from Vancouver, and then fly into California from there. My understanding is that I won't need a passport under the current rules...

jolinar of malkshor · 06-04-2007, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tvp2003

So the passport requirement only applies if you're flying into the US, not within the US, right? I am planning drive down to Seattle from Vancouver, and then fly into California from there. My understanding is that I won't need a passport under the current rules...

That is correct.

Iowa_Flames_Fan · 06-04-2007, 04:46 PM

NM--my bad, I checked the web and found out I'm wrong. You need a passport when traveling by air, but another document proving citizenship is OK for land or sea.

Dumb rule, IMO.

Sylvanfan · 06-04-2007, 04:50 PM

My wife got into the U.S. back in April with just a drivers license and birth certificate travelling by ground. So as far as I know thats all you require to enter via surface travel.

Engine09 · 06-04-2007, 04:56 PM

Quote:

I could definitely be wrong, but I'm pretty sure you need a passport even if you're driving--per the rule change that took effect in January. I'd call the passport office or check the web for travel rules pertaining to Canadians traveling to the U.S.

I've already checked a few websites, that's where I got the 2008 date for crossing by land. I just ask here to confirm with people who have crossed by land recently.

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html

Quote:

Under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)
The proposed implementation timeline has two phases:
Beginning January 23, 2007, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport, Air NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document, or an Alien Registration Card, Form I-551, if applicable.

As early as January 1, 2008, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including ferries), may be required to present a valid passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security. While recent legislative changes permit a later deadline, the Departments of State and Homeland Security are working to meet all requirements as soon as possible. Ample advance notice will be provided to enable the public to obtain passports or passport cards for land/sea entries.

Bill Bumface · 06-04-2007, 06:33 PM

Anyone know how long it's taking to get passports right now? I'm going to put mine in this week and need it by August 24th.

STeeLy · 06-05-2007, 12:23 AM

Umm... I created a passport thread about the wait last week and a bit ago (Exact date, May 24th was when I handed in my application)... They said that the passport will be mailed to me 2 weeks after June 6th... I got it on Friday, June 1st... it was really quick.

Bill Bumface · 06-05-2007, 02:33 AM

Thanks! Sorry for going OT.

fredr123 · 06-05-2007, 10:11 AM

Anyone know how this works if you don't have a driver's license yet? We wanna take our kid on a family camping trip out by Great Falls this summer. She has a birth certificate.

Will the US officials require a photo id no matter what (e.g., get a passport) or will they come to their senses and realize that even if she did have a photo id, a 3 month old baby changes so much she won't look like her picture for long?

jolinar of malkshor · 06-05-2007, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fredr123

Anyone know how this works if you don't have a driver's license yet? We wanna take our kid on a family camping trip out by Great Falls this summer. She has a birth certificate.

Will the US officials require a photo id no matter what (e.g., get a passport) or will they come to their senses and realize that even if she did have a photo id, a 3 month old baby changes so much she won't look like her picture for long?

Birth Certificate will be fine.

fredr123 · 06-05-2007, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jolinar of malkshor

Birth Certificate will be fine.

Are you sure? I've heard horror stories from people taking babies through Canada Customs and Immigrations. Those guys can be jerks, I've heard.

Eastern Girl · 06-05-2007, 12:16 PM

I went into Detroit using my health card and didn't have any issues.

gallione11 · 06-05-2007, 12:24 PM

I am a Canadian citizen living in the US, with a Green Card. Flew up to Kelowna in February for my Grandma's Funeral and I do not have a passport. Green card worked fine for getting into Canada which was expected, but also upon coming home, it was accepted. Didn't need a passport, which I thought was odd.

(FWIW, my Uncle who lives in Chicago had the same issue with his kids (no passport), so he called customs beforehand to be safe. They actually said because of a funeral, as long as they had a copy of the death certificate it was ok. So I had a copy of that just in case. I just found it odd that I did not need to mention the funeral or show the DC.)

I had originally thought I would have had to drive up there which would not have been fun in the middle of February. It's about a 10 hour drive.

ken0042 · 06-05-2007, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eastern Girl

I went into Detroit using my health card and didn't have any issues.

Keep in mind yours has your picture on it though; being from Ontario.

As for horror stories with kids; I've heard of issues when its only one parent travelling with the kid. If it's a married couple and all three have the same last name it is likely easier. However I'd get the rug rat a passport.