Driving into Canada from the states without a passport - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

flamingchina · 03-12-2007, 03:08 PM

Does anyone have any experience recently driving into Canada without a passport? an American friend of mine wants to come up for the game on the 17th, but doesn't have his passport yet, just his birth certificate, and is wondering if he'll be able to get through the border?

4X4 · 03-12-2007, 03:10 PM

Just a birth certificate? You mean that and a picture ID drivers license, right?

He'll probably get into Canada, but have a hell of a time getting back home.

Bobblehead · 03-12-2007, 03:11 PM

I thought the passport restriction were only for flying?

FlamesKickAss · 03-12-2007, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

I thought the passport restriction were only for flying?

it is until next year

Resolute 14 · 03-12-2007, 03:18 PM

Driving into Canada, he should have no problem as Canada does not yet require a passport.

Back into the States, they arent supposed to be requiring passports yet, but who knows for sure? I know that when I last drove to the States, in 2003, the border agent at Carway didn't even look at me. Probably best to call the US department that handles border crossings and ask.

Frenzy1 · 03-12-2007, 03:20 PM

Canadian border has been really lax when I've crossed back in, the last 2 times they haven't even looked at my passport, just asked if I was from Canada and let me go. Shouldn't be too hard to get in.

FlamesKickAss · 03-12-2007, 03:37 PM

upon looking it up i found it

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2225.html

Quote:

Q. When will the travel initiative be implemented? In the proposed implementation plan, the initiative will be implemented in two phases. The proposed timeline will be as follows:

January 23, 2007 – Passports, Merchant Mariner Documents (MMDs) or NEXUS Air cards would be required for all air travel from within the Western Hemisphere for citizens of the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Bermuda.
January 1, 2008 – It is anticipated that on January 1, 2008, 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 U.S. passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security. While recent legislative changes may permit a later deadline, both the Departments of State and Homeland Security are working to put all requirements in place by the original deadline. Advance notice will be provided to enable the public meet the land/sea border requirement.

burn_baby_burn · 03-12-2007, 04:40 PM

All he is going to need is his Birth Certificate and his drivers license to get back into the States. They might or might not ask for ID at Canada Customs. The biggest things the Canadian Customs are worried about, is liquer and Tobacco.

stevejim73 · 03-12-2007, 05:24 PM

I live near the Windsor/Detroit border and go to the states frequently.(twice just last week) I can tell you without a doubt, that all you need to drive across the border is a driver's license and a birth certificate.

Eventually you will need a passport but not until the next year at the earliest. Currently, passports are only needed when travelling into the states by sea or air.

Ice · 03-12-2007, 05:48 PM

Yes, I've verified the drivers license/birth certificate information for myself. We can re-enter the country with those two documents. In case my passport doesn't arrive in time for playoffs, my plan is to fly into Great Falls, Montana and drive the five hours or so to Calgary.

FlamesKickAss · 03-12-2007, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevejim73

I live near the Windsor/Detroit border and go to the states frequently.(twice just last week) I can tell you without a doubt, that all you need to drive across the border is a driver's license and a birth certificate.

Eventually you will need a passport but not until the next year at the earliest. Currently, passports are only needed when travelling into the states by sea or air.

according to the info i found its only by air that is required right now, land and sea by january 1, 2008

CrusaderPi · 03-12-2007, 10:10 PM

I remember in 2002 I got across the border near Vancouver with a driver licence. My wife used her ID with her old last name. My son didn't have a birth certificate yet. And they let my wife's cousin in with her Ottawa student's bus pass, with yet a different last name on it.

Times, they are a-changin'.

nfotiu · 03-12-2007, 11:00 PM

I just realized my 11 month son is going to need a passport to go to canada in may. I hope we can get him one in time. These laws are so confusing. Why do children not need passports to cross by land next year, but do need them in airports??

Another interesting question is why would an 11 month old who is recognized as a citizen of both US and Canada need a passport to go from one country to the other anyway?

Ice · 03-13-2007, 08:12 AM

If you need a passport for May you should take care of that right away. You might want to consider paying the extra 60.00 for an emergency process. I was told yesterday that I shouldn't expect to receive mine until at least 10 weeks have passed. (even though when I applied they said 6 weeks) They wouldn't even verify my information is entered in the system yet, because it hasn't been long enough.

Resolute 14 · 03-13-2007, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nfotiu

I just realized my 11 month son is going to need a passport to go to canada in may. I hope we can get him one in time. These laws are so confusing. Why do children not need passports to cross by land next year, but do need them in airports??

Another interesting question is why would an 11 month old who is recognized as a citizen of both US and Canada need a passport to go from one country to the other anyway?

Because your son might be a terrorist, obviously.