Going to Canada... question.

[LDS Angel 19]

DH and I are going to Toronto over Labor Day weekend. We'll be driving, from Detroit. What type of identification do we need to get across the boarder? Do we need our birth certificates? I remember as a kid needing my birth certificate, but I figured that was just because kids don't generally have photo ID.
Thanks in advance!

[bookworm]

You'll need a photo ID and an original (certified) birth certificate. Alternatively, you can use a passport. Beginning sometime next year, you will be required to use a passport.

More information is available from The State Dept (http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/regional/regional_1170.html).

[Jazz]

According to the state dept. (see this page (http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/regional/regional_1170.html)), you currently need:



Proof of your U.S. citizenship such as your U.S. passport (For information on obtaining a U.S. passport, check with one of the regional passport agencies located throughout the U.S.) or certified copy of your birth certificate issued by the city, county or state in the U.S. where you were born. If you are a naturalized U.S. citizen and do not have a passport, you should travel with your naturalization certificate. A driver’s license or Social Security card is NOT valid proof of citizenship.

Photo identification, such as a current, valid driver’s license.


As I read it, that means you will need either a passport or birth certificate in addition to photo id. (Last time I drove over the border, photo id was sufficient, but that was pre 9/11. I assume the proof of citizenship is a post 9/11 change to tighten border security.)

By the way, after 12/31/06, passports will be required for air and sea travel to/from Canada (and Mexico), and after 12/31/07, passports will be required for travel by land as well.

[Mrs. M.]

I agree with above posters.

I remember once, about 10 years ago, driving over from Detroit to Windsor and DH had forgotten his license. They let him through using his Blockbuster card. :D :eek:

Ah those were different times, eh?

[lawyergirl25]

LOL! Sure is different now. DH and I used to drive up to Windsor all the time (before I turned 21 especially ;) ) and we only needed our drivers licenses. In December '01, we went to Windsor with some of our friends with only our drivers licenses. We got into Canada just fine, but they didn't want to let us back into the US the next day! We were really worried, thinking we wouldn't be able to go home until after a long day in the immigration office (we've been stopped before for a random check and it took forever!), but then they let us through with a stern warning to not try to come through again without proof of citizenship. We learned our lesson - now we take our passports if we're heading anywhere near Detroit (we live about 45 minutes south).

[LDS Angel 19]

Thanks ladies. Now what on earth did I do with our birth certificates... lol

[elladee]

If you have a passport, that is all you need. It is photo ID and proof of citizenship. For Canada (for now anyway) you are allowed to get by with other proof of citizenship (birth certificate or naturalization papers) and other photo ID.

Everytime I've crossed the border recently (which happens a lot living in Buffalo), all they ask for is ID, but I'd have my birth certificate with me just in case.

[mrstim]

I think it is a great idea to take it - but we went to Windsor through Detroit two weeks ago. On the way over we didn't have to show anything - id, bcertificates, nothing. On the way back the man asked for our id's - that's all. I took our bcs/passport, title, proof of insurance, everything I could think of!

Oh well - it's better to be safe than sorry! Have fun though - btw the tunnel coming back to the states is usually much faster than coming back over the bridge!

[lawyergirl25]

btw the tunnel coming back to the states is usually much faster than coming back over the bridge!
This really depends on the day of the week and what time you're going. On weekend nights, DH and I usually take the bridge back over. All those rowdy kids jamming up the tunnel! I agree that the tunnel is faster the rest of the time.

[tinkerbelljenny]

You'll need a photo ID and an original (certified) birth certificate. Alternatively, you can use a passport. Beginning sometime next year, you will be required to use a passport.

Yep! We live on the border of Canada so we go there every month. We just show our passports and we are fine. However, once we only had our drivers license and no birth certificate and they let us through with a warning.

[MrsSmith]

I went to Canada last week with only my driver's license.

[Jen309]

Every time I've gone Detroit to Windsor, I've gotten thru with only a driver's licence, including once post 9/11. You will need a passport to get thru soon, so you may want to just go that route. Be prepared to go thru customs too. It's usually easier to get into Canada than out, but that's not always the case. Also, you can do some duty-free shopping in Canada (there's a shop right after the customs booth where you can get cheap just about anything from liquor to purses and perfume). Do be aware though that there are limits on some things and you will be asked to "declare" anything you've brought back. If you bring back more than you were supposed to, usually all they make you do is pay the tax.

Have fun in Toronto!!

[21daisygurl]

I grew up on the border and we never used to show anything! But you can get away with just a passport which is probably the easiest or photo ID with a birth certificate.

The Canadian border is nicer than the American side (Sorry, but its true) so if you are going to be given a hard time it is usually on the American side.

HAve fun!

[21daisygurl]

P.S They did have recent requirements about needing a passport but I think they temporarily lifted them....but I would bring it just in case