URGENT Passport Question
 

I am traveling from the U.S. to Vancouver via air next week. I am a U.S. citizen. I have a copy of my birth certificate, a driver's license, a voter registration card and a Social Security card. <BR> <BR>Am I OK to get in and out of Canada, or do I need a passport? (I sure hope I don't, because time is running out!) <BR> <BR>Thanks for any advice...

Technically, you have what you need to enter Canada (proof of US citizenship--your birth certificate--and a photo ID). HOWEVER, some friends of mine were were SENT HOME from the airport by the airline for not having a passport (flying from Chicago to Vancouver on United, in this case). But I'm not sure what they DID have with them (they may not have had their birth certificates). Best bet would be to call the airline you're traveling on and see what they require (and if you get the answer that a birth certificate is sufficient, get the person's name and contact info).

In my many crossings of the border, only two have been by air. The first time I had my birth certificate and a picture ID (driver's license), and they were sufficient. We flew from Salt Lake City to Calgary and returned the same way. The US immigration official was at the Calgary airport and checked us through without too much hassle. <BR>The second time we went landed in Toronto. That time I took my passport and found it it much simpler to get through the check points. Of course if you don't have one, then take your birth certificate and a couple of picture ID's, if you have them. (I think one picture ID is mandatory.) <BR>I think the suggestion made above to call ahead is a good idea.

I agree with the previous two posters - but have a comment to add. I notice you used "smallbiz" as your name on your posting - if you're coming for personal reasons you'll have no problems with the documentation you have but if you're coming for business reasons, you need to do further research to ensure you don't have problems entering the country. Unfortunately I can't offer much more help on this subject - just wanted to alert you to a potential issue.

When you say "copy" of your birth certificate, do you mean an official copy with a raised seal? If it's just a photocopy you may have problems.

I am going to Montreal leaving from New York City. I was told that a passport is a must nowadays. They no longer will accept birth certificates etc.

Reference the above posting. <BR>It looks like a call to a Canadian consulate is in quick order. <BR>First I had heard that US citizens had to have a passport. <BR>Given the volume of traffic that goes through such crossings as the one between Seattle and Vancouver, I don't see how passports could be checked without backing the traffic up for miles. <BR> <BR>

This entire thread is shocking to me. I have crossed the border many, many times at a lot of different places and have never, ever been asked for anything more than a driver's license, if fact, usually not even that.

A passport isn't *required* if you're a US citizen crossing into Canada. <BR> <BR>What *is* required is proof of citizenship, and photo ID. <BR> <BR>And it's just so handy that a passport happens to have you proof of citizenship and your photo ID all in one package, which is why people say it's better to bring one. But a birth certificate is also proof of citizenship, but since it doesn't have any photo ID, you'd have to bring your drivers lisence. (More or less so they can make sure that really is your birth certificate, and not something you borrowed from your neighbour). <BR> <BR>For the most part, you probably won't even be asked. I live in Canada, and the same thing goes for Canadians entering the USA. Out of the dozens of times driving in and out of the USA via Washington state, I've never been asked to prove my citizenship. The only time I have been asked, was during a customs stop when I had been a passenger on a bus, going from Vancouver to Seattle. Everyone on the bus had to get off the bus to go through customs. The majority of the other travellers were tourists from overseas. That was the only time they asked me for my proof of citizenship w/ID. I gave them my birth certificate, and my drivers license, and they were happy with that. <BR> <BR>But just like how Americans don't need a passport to get into Mexico, they don't need one going into Canada.

Today, Feb 27, 2001, I called the Canadian Consulate in Chicago and asked this question: <BR>"What documents does an American citizen need to enter Canada?" <BR>The answer was that we need an official birth certificate, or a certified copy, and a picture ID. That is all. <BR>We do not need a passport. <BR>The same documents are needed to renter the United States. In fact, I have gotten more scrutiny from US officials than I have from Canadian ones. <BR>In my experience, entering Canada at an airport usually involves much more checking than entering at a highway border crossing, particularly in the middle of the country. The last time I entered Canada at an airport, I had my passport and that solved the document question instantly. On that same trip, we rented a car in Calgary and drove to Glacier NP. The Canadian official on our return asked for no documentation. (She just asked me to remove my sun glasses, but looked at no picture ID. I never have figured that one out. Maybe I have an honest face.) <BR>The US official wanted to know why an American citizen was driving a Canadian rental car. In fact, he had quite a few questions. I was reaching for my passport, and my wife was pulling out the rental contract, when he waved me through. Maybe he thought it was a hot car. <BR>So I think the more correct question might be this: "What documents does an American citizen need to get home???!!!" <BR>The same is true: birth certificate and picture ID.

Technically the responses are correct, but the airlines and passport control at airports are sometimes pickier than the highway crossings. Some misinformed airline personnel have turned people back at the counter. <BR> <BR>Also, be aware that you need similar ID for any child with you. I saw a family being turned back at the airline counter in Chicago one day because they did not have sufficient ID for their minor children. The personnel said that with the greater number of noncustodial parent-child kidnappings that they were very strict about ID for children's that were being taken out of the country. <BR>