documents now required for entry into Canada
 

My college-student daughter and a few friends have made plans to travel (today) by car from the U.S. into Canada. All are U.S. citizens and residents. I am able only to email her a copy of her birth certificate and a copy of the US passport. She has a driver's license. I know she needs proof of citizenship and a photo id. Will the copy of her birth certificate be enough to gain entry or will they require an original? Thanks.

Entering Canada is only half of her problem. The other is returning to the US, which can often be more difficult.

In our "government-type" office we don't accept photocopies of any documents. However, it may be up to the inspector they encounter on either side of the border. He/She may have a little pity for them and let them slide or may give them an up-close and personal civics lesson for a couple hours.

While I may have chanced such a thing 20 years ago, I'd error on the side of caution now rather than spend time trying to reassemble my car in the parking lot of the border patrol office.

Drivers License will be OK.
I went to Quebec last weekend and had not problem with only my drivers license. The Canadian border is harder to cross then the Mexican border. Why?, I don't know. On the Canadian/USA border we had to show ID's, we were asked questions about what we did for a living, where we lived and what we purchased in Canada and our car was searched. (We are three senior whitehaired ladies) No ID was needed to cross the Negalis/Arizona border, we were just asked if we were US citizens.

Thank you!

BarbaraF: I would be very cautious about accepting an off-hand statement like "Driver's Licenses are OK". The long-standing requirement of either a government-issued photo ID AND a certified copy of the birth certificate or a passport (not a copy) has not changed.

While some travelers have certainly made the crossings with just a DL, many others have not been able to. Especially with college-age kids or younger, border officers take much closer looks than they might with more mature travelers.

It's wise to check the official web sites for requirements and comply with them, especially since land-crossing ID requirements are currently in a state of flux.

It is my experience with holiday weekends like this one(Thanksgiving in Canada & Columbus Day in US), that US customs are a little more diligent. Last time I went through on a holiday weekendevery car was looked in and trunks were searched. Needless to say it took a couple hours to get through. Passports make things much easier in my experience.

This URL
http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/...onal_1170.html

is 100% clear about U.S. travelers going to Canada:

"You will, however, 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, voter’s registration card or Social Security card is NOT valid proof of citizenship."

A border guards may allow someone to slide by with only a driver's license, or just a few questions. But it is also possible that they might choose to follow VERY clear regulations, and demand what they have clearly stated they can demand.

I would not try to return to the US with just my driver's license. It is proof of nothing other than the fact that you took a driver's test from a state agency.

Getting into Canada is not the problem! It is getting home! Even with a passport I got quizzed to the point I asked the guy in the booth why all the questions about where I lived. A passport is supposed to be absolute proof of citizenship. What more did he want?

Another time I returned to the States and presented my passport. The TSA guy looked at and then started the whole question and answer business again, like he looks at my passport and then says "What's your name?" I began to wonder if he knew what a passport was.

Bob Brown- I dont think the border crossing people are hired for their brilliant minds.
As a Canadian citizen living in the US I have had more than my share of run ins with them - on both sides
Have to say some of the encounters have left me feeling not very safe.

Here is something a little humourous. A friend of mine is a US citizen. He was born there but has lived in Canada all his life. Recently when he was crossing into the US (driving) he didn't have his passport on him. He had plenty of ID and a Canadian Gov't issued permanent resident card. The Immigration officer told him that he had no rights in the US and the only reason he was letting my friend in was because he could hear his US accent!
That's a new one..

Traveller 69- that is a new one! Good grief! Now I really feel safe!
I recently crossed over at the Peace Arch- the Canadian guy one of the grouchiest I ever met.

I heard a few days later the whole Canadian crossing was closed down because they had been alert that someone with a violent history and carrying a gun was going to make an attempt to cross - and the Canadians who are not armed all left their post.
People were lined up for miles trying to get across -

Quite frankly having dealt with such intelligent border guards (both sides) I'd they NOT be armed.

Interesting observation about the TSA guys. One year flying home from Calgary, I felt postively threatened with physical violence when going through passport control and customs. Those positions were American manned.

I got home and wrote a stinging letter to my US Representative. A few weeks later I got a telephone call from some guy in whatever agency it was that handled immigration control before TSA was invented. He was royally micturated at me for writing amd complaining but a little wary because I had PI - political influence. (PI was at times stamped in personnel files within various government agencies and in the military.)

We discussed the matter and he said he would look into it.

The following year I flew home from Calgary again. The place had been reorganized. A smiling young man checked my passport, asked no silly questions, and bid me adieu with a pleasant Welcome back.

Most of the TSA types are just as you say, i.e. not hired because of their scholastic aptitudes but in spite of them.

The Q and A sessions I have had were at highway crossings into the US from Canada at Sweetgrass and Chief Mountain.

Coming into Canada, I never had to play that silly Q and A game of "What's your name?"

Some of the TSA types on the US side remind me of a funny anecdote concerning one my previous employers, a sensitive type agency.

The deputy director of the agency put out a memo saying in effect that all telephone calls within the organization were to be made using the secure line.
Moreover, if the person receiving the call did not know the person calling, he or she was not obligated to continue the conversation.

One day I called a friend of mine in another part of the agency. Some watch dog non-com answered the telephone.
I said, "May I speak with X."
The watch dog responded somewhat belligerently, "Waaaaaaaait a minute here fellah. We ain't talkin to nobody 'round here lessen we know who they be.
What's your name!!!?"

A little peeved at the rude manner, I answered his question by saying, "My name is Leon Trotsky."

The response: "That's better Leon. I'll tell X he has a call."

Bob Brown ( otherwise known as Leon)
What a funny story! Does not inspire confidence in the system does it?

I have made it a personal challenge to try and get a smile out of these people when I cross the border- but its tough.

Actually, the last time I crossed the border, the US person was pretty nice, not exactly cheerful- but not a grouch either.

The Canadian was very surly- which is disappointing to me. I am always so excited to get back to Canada I expect to be greeted with open arms and a smile- but doesnt usually happen.

U.S. Unveils Card I.D. Plan from the Toronto Star today:

http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/Con...&t=TS_Home