posted
I'm supposed to go to Canada tonight to attend the LDS temple in Cardston. Trouble is - my passport is currently in Salt Lake City, as I had to send it with my visa application for Japan. To complicate matters, I can't find an official copy of my birth certificate; all I have is a photocopy.
The US customs station tells me that a drivers license and this photocopy is sufficient to get back into the US, but I'll need to talk to Canadian customs to find out about getting across the other way.
I'm googling my heart out but can't seem to find a phone number for Candian customs or border patrol - what is Canada's border patrol called? If it helps, I'll be going in to Carway, Alberta. Help!
Posts: 8504 | Registered: Aug 1999
| IP: Logged |
Or, more directly: The phone number for US Customs at Calgary International Airport is (403) 221 - 1733, and they might be able to hook you up with their Canadian counterpart.
Posts: 14017 | Registered: May 2000
| IP: Logged |
quote:If you are a citizen of the United States, you do not need a passport to enter Canada. However, you should carry proof of your citizenship, such as a birth certificate, certificate of citizenship or naturalization, as well as a photo ID.
posted
FWIW, I've always found the "getting into the US" part much more difficult than the "getting into Canada" part.
Posts: 14017 | Registered: May 2000
| IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by twinky: Ah! I have found what you're looking for:
quote:If you are a citizen of the United States, you do not need a passport to enter Canada. However, you should carry proof of your citizenship, such as a birth certificate, certificate of citizenship or naturalization, as well as a photo ID.
I think she's wondering about the photocopy part. I've used a photocopy before, but that was some years ago, and perhaps things have changed.
Posts: 14017 | Registered: May 2000
| IP: Logged |
posted
According to the travel Alberta site you could also call 1.800.320.0063. Happy to serve 24 hours a day.
Posts: 3243 | Registered: Apr 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
I'm driving, not flying, and so far everything I've found says I need a certified copy of my birth certificate. Trouble is, I don't have one of those. The lady I just talked to at the CBSA said it would be up to the discretion of the border agent whether or not my photocopy will work. Posts: 8504 | Registered: Aug 1999
| IP: Logged |
posted
Is your birth certificate the only proof of citizenship that you have? Hmmmmmmmmmmm. I'm not sure what you can do in that case.
...Which reminds me, I need to look into what sort of documentation I need to enter America. I live right on the border, after all.
Posts: 10886 | Registered: Feb 2000
| IP: Logged |
posted
Yeah. For some of these things, you just won't know until the moment of.
Try leaving early so you don't feel rushed. If it's at all dark out, turn on your car's interior light. Never wear shades. Think "open, friendly smile" but don't talk too much -- just answer the questions asked. (You've been across the border before, right? You know what questions to expect?) Talking too much seems to set off red flags.
Worst comes to worst, you'd probably be sent inside to talk to someone at the counter. (The agents at the drive-through punt to the inside crew if anything seems weird about the person crossing.) They are very nice inside, and the process is much more low-key. I bet you'll get through, even if you have problems, but book extra time for the process just in case.
Posts: 14017 | Registered: May 2000
| IP: Logged |
posted
twink, a passport and a driver's liscense where you look as white as possible are probably fine. Also try to stay indoors for a week before going to emphasize the whiteness of your skin while border crossing Posts: 3243 | Registered: Apr 2002
| IP: Logged |
The trouble is that I just moved, and everything I own that I'm not taking to Japan is in boxes in a storage unit. I rifled through them this morning, but who knows where all this stuff might be. I thought I'd be fine with my passport, not realizing that I'd have to send my passport away.
Sigh.
Well, I have the photocopied birth certificate, I got missionary travel to fax a copy of my passport, and I'll be travelling with my entire family who all have full documentation. If they won't take all that, I guess I'll be camping out on the plains in Piegan, Montana. Yee haw!
Posts: 8504 | Registered: Aug 1999
| IP: Logged |
posted
Brinestone has a good idea. Take everything official for documentation that you can -- SS card, student ID, even credit cards and store cards. If you have an electric bill in your name, take that, and a copy of your rental agreement if you can.
It all helps, even if it's no guarantee. If it gets to that point, though, you'll be inside the building anyway, and there will be time to explain the situation and show all your stuff.
Edit: Ahhhh, packed away stuff. Hmmm. Take phone numbers of officialish people who can vouch for you, then (e.g., your doctor, vet, professor, etc).
Posts: 14017 | Registered: May 2000
| IP: Logged |
quote:Well, I have the photocopied birth certificate, I got missionary travel to fax a copy of my passport, and I'll be travelling with my entire family who all have full documentation.
Missed this part. Jimminy, I bet they won't even ask for all y'all's IDs, and if they do -- and you have the same last name -- I seriously doubt there will be a problem.
I thought you were going alone.
Posts: 14017 | Registered: May 2000
| IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by Bob the Lawyer: twink, a passport and a driver's liscense where you look as white as possible are probably fine. Also try to stay indoors for a week before going to emphasize the whiteness of your skin while border crossing
I will also refrain from draping my Palestinian flag over my car.
I look very white in my passport and driver's licence photos, and I can't grow a beard because of work (need to be able to put on a respirator in case of environmental emergency), so I should be fine on that score.
Posts: 10886 | Registered: Feb 2000
| IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by twinky: ...Which reminds me, I need to look into what sort of documentation I need to enter America. I live right on the border, after all.
Pfffft. Why on earth would you want to go to America?
Besides, you're on the border with what, Michigan? I can't think of any reasons to go to Michigan, unless you're on your way elsewhere.
Posts: 7954 | Registered: Mar 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
From a horse-transport site, looks like (204) 534-6288 is the phone number for Canadian Customs at the Emerson (Manitoba, Canada) / Pembina (North Dakota, US) crossing.* You could try asking them directly there. Even though it would be up to the individual agent you see at the time of crossing, they may be able to give you a better idea.
*that's the one I used on my way up to Lethebridge, near Cardstown way.
Posts: 14017 | Registered: May 2000
| IP: Logged |
posted
Other ports of entry with phone numbers about the bottom of this page, just in case you don't do the Emerson route.
Posts: 14017 | Registered: May 2000
| IP: Logged |
posted
I guess I haven't tried to go to Canada since before 9/11, but it was never very difficult for us when we went back and forth between the Canada and US parts of Niagra falls. I think at most the customs guy gave a obligitory glance at the driver's license and that's it. As a kid, with no license, they just let you walk across the bridge I think. No questions asked.
Posts: 5656 | Registered: Oct 1999
| IP: Logged |
posted
Annie, we've gone across the border (using the same crossing where a terrorist is known to have crossed into the US from Canada with a bomb -- they're pretty strict at this particular crossing now) several times since 9/11 and have been allowed without birth certs, though they detained us the first time with a warning. My son has been quite a few times with youth groups, and I never send his certified original, only a photocopy. It's never been an issue. Since you're driving, I doubt it will be an issue if you take your photocopied birth certificate, and if you have it, a voter registration card. Driver's licenses and social security cards don't cut it since they don't require US citizenship to have one. You have to be a citizen to vote, though, so that can help.
I understand that flying into Canada is quite different than driving. They're a lot stricter at airport customs, reputedly.
Posts: 5948 | Registered: Jun 2001
| IP: Logged |
quote:FWIW, I've always found the "getting into the US" part much more difficult than the "getting into Canada" part.
ditto CT, and I've actually gone through several times (driving) where they only asked to see my driver's license, on the way in and on the way back out.
I wouldn't worry about it Annie, you'll be fine. Just look innocent and nice and answer all their questions honestly.
Posts: 3420 | Registered: Jun 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
Whatever you do, don't hitchhike across the border with a bunch of bloody weapons and a wild, unstable look in your eyes. I hear that they never, ever let you cross the border like that.
Posts: 9945 | Registered: Sep 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
So I shouldn't wear the dishdish and jellaba I had planned on either, and leave the ticking suitcase at home?
Posts: 8504 | Registered: Aug 1999
| IP: Logged |
posted
I just got back from a road trip from Boston to Michigan (and there are very good reasons to go to Michigan, btw; I loved it!) through a teensy bit of Canada. We crossed twice into Canada and twice into the U.S. We were asked where we were from and whether we were carrying anything we shouldn't be. Not once were we asked for even our driver's licenses.
Posts: 628 | Registered: Nov 1999
| IP: Logged |
posted
One of the things you shouldn't attempt to take across the border is pepper spray. I remember a coworker telling me about this, and it was way before 9-11.
Posts: 2034 | Registered: Apr 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
Also, if you're going on a long trip and decide to walk across the Niagara bridge and meet the driver and car on the other side, don't say "We're going to Pennsylvania" (or, say, Ottawa, for a Canadian equivalent) when they ask you where you're headed. Apparently it's suspicious to be walking all the way to Pennsylvania, and the questioning takes forever.
Posts: 624 | Registered: Mar 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
I've crossed the border from Canada to the US and back again with my only ID being my 14 year old Costco card.
I was living in British Columbia at the time, and had just renewed my drivers license, which, in BC, means that they take my old DL and issue a temporary paper one, no photo, until the new one is processed and mailed. I forgot to bring my passport or birth certificates. This was after 9/11. And I had zero problems. Posts: 8355 | Registered: Apr 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
I know someone who crossed in the trunk of a car. He was an international student at my university, and a bunch of his friends wanted to go road-tripping to Canada during fall break. He didn't have time to get the visa that he would need legally, as an Argentinean.
The driver, who is now the CFO of my university, didn't know he was in the trunk either.
Printer-friendly view of this topic
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Frown]](frown.gif)
![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
