I want to know if I am entering the USA, can I just use my birth certificate? I am a Canadian born residents, since my passport is close to its expiry date, I want to leave it here to be renewed. My birth certificate does not have a photo on it...

Regards,
Empress

I want to know if I am entering the USA, can I just use my credit cards (my VISA card has even a photo on the back-.side)? Since I often mislay my passport I would prefer to leave it at home right-away. And I guess it is my $ (and credit) that is only of real interest to the US.

Empress:
Yes, you can use a birth certificate, but you should also have some form of government issued picture ID, probably a driver's licence. You don't have to have a passport, but you do have to prove to the INS inspector's satisfaction that you are allowed to enter the US. Driving across the border is a good example where you are usually just verbally asked your citizenship. You might also want to photocopy page 2 (the picture/data page) of your passport. It will have the passport number, as well as demonstrate the approaching expiry date.

Rudi:
If you use your credit card, they'll probably just let your money in.

Regards,

Ken Hamer


[This message has been edited by KenHamer (edited 07-11-1999).]

I live on the U.S.-Canadian border and travel to and from Canada frequently. When driving or flying,my experience is to have a picture I.D., although I have never been asked to produce I.D. when crossing on either side.

I have been hassled rarely but I always have my passport and once it came in handy.

I was also once turned away at the border for not having enough cash (despite having credit cards) so I think Rudi is on to something there but they only want cash, not credit.

Surely, it couldn't have been my shaggy long-haired hippy friend that gave us so much grief!


[This message has been edited by BlondeBomber (edited 07-11-1999).]

One other item, when traveling with children from US to Canada and back into US, Highly Recommend that you also have copies of the children's birth certificates as you may be asked to prove that they are actually yours by either country. It's to me happened before, when I took the family from DTW to Buffalo through Ontario. (I'm glad someone had pre-warned me) From what I understand, some parents that are in a custody dispute/battle will take the kids north of the border to elude authorities.

Empress - just a clarity...you would be renewing your passport AFTER you return from the US, right? The Passport Office probably needs your Birth Certificate to issue you a new passport.

Celestar340- For American Passport renewals, you do NOT need your birth certificate. If the following is true:

1) I can submit my most recent passport.
2) I was at least 16 years old when my most recent passport was issued.
3) I was issued my most recent passport less than 12 years ago.
4) I use the same name as on my most recent passport, OR, I have had my name changed by marriage or court order and can submit proper documentation to reflect my name changes.

then, all you need to do is to mail it in with the following:

1) Obtain Form DSP-82 "Application For Passport By Mail." This form is available on our downloadable passport applications page for printing out or at your nearest passport acceptance facility. Fill it out, sign, and date it. Attach to it:
2) Your most recent passport;
3) Two identical passport photographs;
4) A $40 fee, and if applicable, a $35 expedite fee for urgent service. Make your check or money order payable to Passport Services. (The $15 execution fee is waived for those eligible to apply by mail.)

For more info: http://travel.state.gov/passport_renewal.html

Unfortunately, if you are Canadian, you are not allowed to renew your passport and must apply for a new one, therefore, you may be correct and need a birth certificate to obtain a new Canadian passport.

For more info see: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/passport/passport.htm

[This message has been edited by steve100 (edited 07-11-1999).]

I traveled monthly to British Columbia in 1996. I took my passport. One day, I forgot it. Getting into Canada was easy. Getting back into the US was like pulling teeth. The customs agent went on this big lecture trip (for at least 10 minutes), on why I needed a passport for proof of citizenship. This was after I warned him I had forgot to bring it on the flight up the day before. Needless to say, I always take it with me.

According to DFAIT's and the State departments websites, basically when traveling between Canada and the US proof of citizenship (birth certificate) and photo-id (drivers license) are required.

I thought that I had read at some point that an expired passport was okay for travel between Canada and the US, but now I can't seem to find anything online that states that to be true -- so I could likely be wrong about that! (I wouldn't try it!)

I know that one time when I was flying to the states US Customs asked me for ID, so I handed them my drivers license, they asked me for my Birth Certificate as well (which I had with me!)


For the offical word visit on US-Canada travel:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/travelr...tes+of+America

and
http://travel.state.gov/canada.html

Later,
-Ty

I am an American living in Canada, and I simply use my passport to cross borders, which seems to suffice for both proof of citizenship and a photo i.d. I also carry my visa when entering Canada, and I have a certified copy of birth certificate with me in Canada in case of emergency -- like the time my passport was stolen.

My mother, an American citizen, recently was allowed to enter Canada with only a driver's license on USAirways, but getting out was a problem. This was compounded by the fact that her air tickets were not issued in her full name, but the name showing on her credit card, while her driver's license has her complete legal name. However, my mother has a pronounced accent (Virginia), so that probably helped her clear immigration!

If carrying a pet via air (which I used to do with regularity, until she died this year), make sure to carry a current veterinary certificate showing good health, and be prepared to pay approximately the equivalent of $50 USD in local currency at the airport. If your pet is going to travel in the cabin (in a carrier under the seat), make sure you make this known when making air reservations, since there is a limit on the number than can be accomodated per flight.

If you are an American visiting Canada, remember to file to get back the tax you pay on purchases and accomodations!

canonlaw

Rudi - I thought that you mislay your credit cards more often than you lose your passport???

Proof of citizenship should suffice for Americans/Canadians travelling across the border: the drivers licence/birth certificate combo should do it. [Though for Canadians living in the US that could be interesting...] When applying for a new Canadian passport one does not have to send one's original birth certificate in - even a copy may not be required.
Taking an animal (mammal) into Canada requires a recent rabies certificate.

One interesting note: landed immigrants in Canada who hold Commonwealth citizenship do not require a visa to enter the US. (Presumably they require their Commonwealth passport and proof of landed residency)



[This message has been edited by baobab (edited 07-12-1999).]

baobab: that (at the Restaurant Kronenhalle) wasn't mislaid - that was given in secure costudy ... (didn't we find it in the safe afterwards?).

What's been said is true. However, I travel fairly often btween the US and Canada and note that especially at airports, Asians are more likely to be hassled. This seems to be most prevalent at Totronto! Sad but true, since it seems that there is a great fear of easy entry and then no exit for folks wanting to stay! Just a casual, anecdotal, nonscientific observation. I'd take my passport!