Niagara Falls Canadian Side: ID Requirements?
 

I'm planning to get a motel on the Canadian side of the Falls. The Sheraton on that side has a notation that "Valid Documentation" needs to be provided to stay in Canada. Does anyone know if this consists of anything more than our drivers licenses? And what about for our kids?

If you are US citizens, birth certificates will do. Usually, driver's licenses are enuf, but if the customs agents demands it, birth certificates will be required. Also, there has been trouble here lately for those with middle eastern names and/or appearance. The US Atty Gen office is in the process of some sensitivity training with customs agents-there's been too much profiling going on. Best bet-if you have passports, bring them. Birth certificates are a must for your kids if you don't have passports for them. If you dont have sufficient proof, you can be held at customs or turned away until you produce it. NOthing like ruining a trip by having to have someone at home fed X or fax proof for you.

You should check both the US and Canadian government web sites for current requirements. Because of the security situation, they can change but I'll try to tell you my understanding of what they are.

For US or Candian citizens, you must either have (1) a government issued photo ID such as a driver's license AND a certified copy of your birth certificate or (2) a valid passport from your country of origin. There may be additional requirements for citizens of other countries.

I believe your children under 18 only need to have a certified copy of their birth certificate but you really need to verify that. In addition, if both parents are not with a minor child, you will need a notarized letter of permission from the absent parent giving permission for the other parent to take the child out of the country.

Before I get flamed from other posters telling us they were able to cross with just a driver's license and did not need a birth certificate, my comments only refer to what I understand the requirments to be, not what any individual customs/immigration officer might ask for.

You should also be aware the border officers have the right to exclude any non-citizen of their country from entry for any or no reason. I don't think it happens often but it can happen. I am aware of one case where Canada denied entry to an otherwise eligible person because they found a few handgun bullets in the man's truck-no weapons just bullets. They would not listen to his excuse that he lived in a rural area and the bullets were left over from target shooting excursion.

They also can exclude anyone with a criminal record and Canada considers a DUI conviction to be a criminal record.

Having given you all the bad news, I have crossed the US/Canadian border at least 25 times by road, rail, and air, and have never had any trouble or inordinate delay in doing so. The officers I have encountered on both sides have been polite. I was selected once for a full baggage and auto search and that took less than 15 minutes and was done without any rancor. Just be polite and honest and you should be fine.

I think the OP is talking about the hotel, not the Canadian immigration. Anyways, if Canada let you into their country, then you've had enough "valid documentation" to get a hotel room. But of course, like most hotels in N. America, they'll need a credit card imprint for charges if necessary. Do you have one?

Thanks for the replies. I think I'll just call the motel to see what's required. If I need to take our birth certificates just to spend one night in a motel it's not worth it; we'll just stay on the American side. We do have a credit card. Hopefully that and our drivers licenses will be enough.

Of course that's enough. There's really no difference in hotel policy what you need to get a room. If you can get a room in the US, you can get one in Canada.

As is clearly stated on the Sheraton website, the documentation is "strongly suggested by Canadian Customs" - documentation is not a requirement for booking or staying in a hotel/motel - rather for crossing back into the USA. Most report that documentation is hardly ever requested - but, if it is, you must have it.

You will need proper documentation (such as birth certificates) if you wish to visit the Canadian side (highly recommended) of the Falls and return to the USA, whether you stay overnight there or not.

I think there's some confusion here. This documentation has nothing to do with hotels - it is needed to get from the US into Canada - and from Canada back into the US - which from my experience is much more difficult.

It doesn;t matter which side you stay on - if you're going to the Canadian side at all (and don;t reco bother going to the falls without doing that - since most of the good stuff is there IMHO) you will need these documents.

We went to the Falls post-9/11 and were surprised at how easy it was to get through the border. My husband & I actually exchanged glances and thought "Is this security?" I guess we didn't look too threatening in our very full mini-van with 3 little kids in the backseat. We had photocopied birth certificates, but were never asked for them. If you're making the trip - you really need to go over to the Canadian side. Don't let photocopying some birth certificates stop you.

A PHOTOCOPY of a birth certificate is not acCeptable.

I'd have to disagree, you need a driver's license or state photo I.D. and a Passport. A Passport is definite proof of your U.S. citizenship. The birth certificate will not be needed if you have a Passport.

"If I need to take our birth certificates just to spend one night in a motel it's not worth it; we'll just stay on the American side"

Anyone, including me, who has been on both sides would strongly disagree. If you're going as far as the falls, it makes no sense not to visit the nicer Canadian side. If carrying a few birth certificates seems like too much trouble, then maybe your spouse will hold them. Either way, don't miss the Canadian side.

1. Let's clarify. You'll need either 1) state-issued ID/DL <b>and</b> original birth certificate; or 2) passport.

2. If it's too much trouble to carry a few pieces of paper to go on your trip, maybe it's too much trouble to go to Niagara Falls, period. Why not stay at home?

In Randa's defense, perhaps she doesn't know where her birth certificate is. I have no idea where mine is right now.

Since 9/11 we've taken our passports every time we've gone to the falls. We think it expedites the crossing on both sides. Since we have already them it's the simplest way to go. The border guards may not ask for birth certif. or other i.d., but if they do and you don't have it, you're looking at a delay.

I never knew that a driver's license wasn't sufficient for a US citizen. It doesn't seem that they enforce this rule all that much. I've been going to the Canadian side for twenty years with just a license and have never had any problem.

A DL doesn't prove citizenship. At least in the past, many states will issue DL to anybody who can drive and have an address in the US. Can be visitor, can be illegals.

Exactly - a drivers lic only proves your identity - assuming its legitimate. It says nothing about your citizenship.

And the rules were much simpler before 9/11 - I remember going with my parents as a child - and they didn;t even stop the car. but the world has changed - and they can pick any vehicle for a full check and search. If you don;t have the papers on hand you're going to have a lot of work to do to get back into the US.

I have crossed the US-Canadian border by road too many times to count, but here are a few memorable ones:

- One Sunday morning in Nov 2002. Coming back from Canada to the US on a tiny road between NB and ME. They did a full vehicle search. Reason? In the 15 minutes I was stopped there, I didn't see any other vehicle going either way. The border people must have been bored to death.

- Another Sunday morning, around 6am, in Jan - extremely cold, in the middle of the winter. Came back on Quebec 133 to I89. Hardly any vehicle there, and only one booth open with Green light. Nobody in the booth, and after stopping for like 30 seconds, I start to creep ahead to see what's going on. Immediately, the border control person ran out from the heated building, thinking I was going to run the border!

- When I was a truck driver 95-98, I crossed the border many times. Never had either the Canadian or American officials asked to see any ID/passport, or even ask what my nationality is. All they care is the paperwork for the load. So, basically, at least back then, anybody who can drive a 18-wheeler can get into the US without any documentation. I keep wondering why the Mexicans and Chinese have to pay that much money for &quot;snake heads&quot; and risk their lives doing that.

- Went to a track-day event at Mont-Tremblant in 2002. Have a whole bunch of tires, tools, etc in the car when going into Canada. Really have to explain to the official that I am not selling any of those in Canada. Will bring everything back out (well, maybe except some brake pads that I would use up).

You don't need any documentation to get a hotel reservation. You can book a hotel anywhere in the world with just a credit card. However, you do need documents crossing the border. I was in Niagara Falls last year &amp; a passport is all you need &amp; if you are going to do any overseas travel at all you should obtain one. It will surely make your future travel much easier. It is a recognized document by all countries. I crossed the border several times while in Niagara Falls &amp; coming into the U.S. they requested to see my passport each time. Why carry more paper than you really need?

I live in Buffalo and travel to Canada at both the Peace Bridge and Lewiston/Queenston Bridge often. I have never been asked for anymore than my drivers lisence and photocopied birth certificates for my children. If you have a passport bring it along, but it's not required from my experience.

Certified birth certificate is not the same as the certificate the hospital gave you. I just had to purchase a certified birth certificate from my son's county of birth and send it to him-because he was going to Montreal.

I also just had to purchase one for myself because my hospital birth certificate and my notice of birth registration were not sufficient to obtain a passport.

My understanding of the requirements is the same as dwoodden's

A driver's license might not prove citizenship but it is commonly accepted for US citizens, at least at the Rainbow and Peace Bridges. I can't speak to other border crossings.

Nw don't jump down my throat - I'm certainly not suggesting that the original poster should only bring a license. He should bring whatever is &quot;officially&quot; required. But there is a high likelihood that they could get across and back with just a license, in the event that they don't have a passport or birth certificate, if they want to risk it.

One more time - a drivers license, a birth certificate, etc may do just fine in most cases, however a passport is &quot;all&quot; you need to cross a border. It is the most acceptable document - no question. If you go onto government websites for overseas travel it is recommended a person have a passport, if for only getting back into your home country without problems.

I'd highly agree with Shea, if you don't have a Passport get one. No matter where you go outside the country absolutely nothing is more convenient and the ultimate proof of your citizenship. The drivers license is just a given because you'll be using a vehicle.

Oh my, this post is funny!

If you have a passport, that will do. Otherwise, you MUST have a certified birth certificate! If you are an American citizen trying to re-enter the U.S., you may very well have to prove yourself!

The chances of getting asked for it as you return to the U.S. are not all that great; however, if they do request it, you better darn well have it!

I live in Buffalo, cross a LOT, especially in the summer - I go to the beach almost every weekend and make several trips to Toronto. I have been asked for my birth certificate. I now have out my driver's license before I even get to the border because I know I'll have to show it when re-entering the US. As a matter of fact, I keep our birth certificates in the car all summer long. And don't just assume that if you're in a minivan with several kids that they won't choose to give you a hard time.

One time my brother, who lives in VT, decided at the last minute to leave work early, pick up his two boys at school, and drive up to Montreal (about a one hour drive) to meet my parents, who were on a bus trip, for dinner. In his rush, he didn't even think about birth certificates. He got pulled over at the Quebec border, all three of them separated into different rooms, and &quot;interrogated.&quot;

Chances are you will cross the border with no problem, but I think people do a disservice to others by saying that you'll probably be OK with just a driver's license.

Have a great trip.

I agree with BuffalGirl. Read her post very carefully. &quot;If you have a passport, that will do. Otherwise, you MUST have a certified birth certificate!&quot;

We too go Ottawa and Montreal, not Toronto, very often and only twice we were asked for IDs. However we always HAVE it with us. Remeber if you don't have one and and are asked for it it will go on your record. Red Flag! The next time you want to travel abroad this may create a problem for you. So please don't listen if someone tells you here you should be fine just with a drivers license. That is not a point. The point is you are requiered to have a proper ID for yourself, your children and everybody else traveling with you. Be a smart and educated traveler.

So Randa, you do not need this kind of ID to check into a hotel but in order to get to that hotel you need proper documents. After all this hotel is in Canada and you need to cross the border to get there.

A news story moved on the wire this evening effecting this issue.

According to the story, US citizens reentering the country from other countries MUST present a passport or a federally issued ID linked to homeland security databases after Jan 1, 2008. Driver's licenses and birth certificates will no longer work.

If you don't already have one, best get that passport now and avoid the rush.

Hi dwoodon, you are talking about three years from now and Randa is going be there this year, I think.

&lt;Does anyone know if this consists of anything more than our drivers licenses? And what about for our kids?

Yes and for kids too.

Here's an interesting situation I am currently in that people my find very interesting. You'll also find me very stupid for having let this happen, I know I'm feeling pretty stupid. I've traveled all over Europe, Africa, and to Japan and never forgot or lost my documentation, until now.

I live in Houston and have been travelling a lot for work, as a matter of fact, I had schueduled a brief trip to Michigan returning to Houston this last Tuesday (yesterday), and then had to schedule an emergency trip to visit a customer in Vancouver leaving the same day I return. It was just another short business trip, and like an idiot I didn't even think about the fact that I was leaving the country. So I arrive back at the Houston airport very tired yesterday, check in for my flight on the electronic kiosk, and when it is time, I board the flight. I enjoy the inflight movie, and then when the flight attendent hands me the Canadian customs form, I start to sweat, as I realize I have no passport, no birth certificate. I get off the plane, go through the line at Immigration, tell the officer I have forgotten both forms. He says &quot;Tell you what, next time make sure you bring it,&quot; and lets me pass!

So I've visited my customer, and here I am in my hotel room wondering what will happen tomorrow. Will I be able to slip through the cracks the same way I did in Houston? When I get there, will US immigration be as nice as Canada? Will I be getting an all expense-paid trip to Guantanamo? I told my wife to be ready to come to the Houston airport with my passport - that is if they let me on the plane. If not, I guess I'll be sitting in Vancouver an extra day waiting for FedEx to bring my passport.

This is one of those stupid mistakes I'll only make once.

Reefmonkey - Since you clear US Immigration &amp; Customs in Vancouver and not Houston, it won't help to have your wife bring the passport to the airport. Either they let you through and on the plane (and you're okay), or you're stuck there.

Make sure you get to YVR super early, as it's likely you'll be asked lots of questions, etc... which will take time.

Good luck.

Hi rkkwan, I don't understand your statement to Reefmonkey regarding &quot;since you cleared US Immigration and Customs in Vancouver&quot;.

Would not that be Canadian Immigration and Customs in that Vacouver is in BC?

LoveItaly - For many flights from Canada (also a few places in the Carribean), one go through US Immigration and Customs while still in that foreign country. It's definitely true for Vancouver.

That Canada-US flight will then be just like a domestic US one, arriving at a regular gate in any US airport.

Reefmonkey has successfully entered Canada. His problem now is getting back to the US.

rkkwan, thanks for explaining. I did not know that as have always driven into Canada versus flying in. So I was confused. Take good care.

Well, here's the conclusion of my saga of stupidity. I got to the airport 3 hours before my flight to allow for the hassle. Rkkwan was right - US Customs/immigration is here in the Vancouver airport - a new one for me. I checked in, got my boarding pass no problems, then went through US C/I. When I told the first officer I had neither documentation, he didn't even look up, just stamped my declaration card and told me to wait in the secondary examination room. I waited, they called my name, and the customs officer opened up my bags, seemed surprised Canadian immigration didn't turn me back. Then I waited a little longer, an immigration officer called me up, and when I said I had neither document, said with surprise &quot;where are you passport and birth certificate?&quot; I told her just that I forgot them, and she asked me where I was born, and I said &quot;in Houston&quot;. She said &quot;Where in Houston?&quot; I said &quot;the methodist hospital.&quot; She said &quot;ok&quot; handed me my papers, and said &quot;ok, you're good to go.&quot;

Fortune favors the foolish, at least this time.

I think the whole process, from the time I told the first immigration officer that I didn't have documents, until they said I could go, took about 10-15 minutes max.