Passport for Canada?
Apr 5, 2017 13:33:54 #
Elaine2025
Loc: Seattle, Wa
jerryc41 wrote:
Of the 70,000 members here, someone must have crossed from the USA into Canada. Was a passport required? I read online that I would not need a passport, but when I asked about getting one at the post office, the woman said I would need a passport to enter Canada. I should have kept mine current. If I get a new one, it will cost me $150.
I live in Washington State. You may cross the border driving, using an Enhanced drivers license or a passport.
Apr 5, 2017 14:21:45 #
jerryc41 wrote:
Of the 70,000 members here, someone must have crossed from the USA into Canada. Was a passport required? I read online that I would not need a passport, but when I asked about getting one at the post office, the woman said I would need a passport to enter Canada. I should have kept mine current. If I get a new one, it will cost me $150.
The last time I had mine renewed it cost me $2000.00! I had to take days off work. all that paperwork and then I had to drive to San Francisco to have it done (different rules apply to aliens)!
Apr 5, 2017 14:36:17 #
Took a cruise from Boston to Montreal and the passport card (new at that time) was sufficient. PEI officers had never seen one. No problems anywhere on trip.
Apr 5, 2017 16:09:38 #
rfmaude41
Loc: Lancaster, Texas (DFW area)
foathog wrote:
Yeah Jerry. you look like a suspicious character. now that we have Trump you'll NEVER get back in.
Hey, this was NOT MEANT to be POLITICAL. From your SNIDE remark,we can only classify you as a MORONIC DOLT, eh ?
Apr 5, 2017 16:42:33 #
We crossed over to Canada at Niagara Falls last year. They asked for our passports both ways. If you don't have one, I don't think you are getting back in. Spend the money and keep it up. It is good for 10 years.
Apr 5, 2017 17:48:11 #
Even with a passport you can have difficulty. We were returning from a cruise and when we went through customs and they didn't like my passport photo they didn't think it looked enough like me and suggested I get it redone.
Apr 5, 2017 18:02:38 #
Just checked US State Department website. Adult renewal (age 16 and older) is $110. If you only get the pass card - usable for Canada - it's only $30.
Apr 5, 2017 18:09:52 #
Picture Taker
Loc: Michigan Thumb
I think in Michigan you can get a upgraded drivers license for Canada only. But I don't know if other states that touch Canada have it.
Apr 6, 2017 00:05:56 #
Apr 6, 2017 00:32:37 #
DougS
Loc: Central Arkansas
Passed thru Canada on the way to Alaska in January, 2017. Was asked for our passports at the Canadian border AND the Alaska border...
p.s. It was an Awesome trip!
p.s. It was an Awesome trip!
Apr 6, 2017 01:15:20 #
jerryc41 wrote:
Of the 70,000 members here, someone must have crossed from the USA into Canada. Was a passport required? I read online that I would not need a passport, but when I asked about getting one at the post office, the woman said I would need a passport to enter Canada. I should have kept mine current. If I get a new one, it will cost me $150.
Someone suggested a passport card because they are cheaper. I planned to take that option until someone pointed out that if there was an emergency back home and I needed to fly back quickly, I could not use it for air travel. One poster mentioned that, but did not elaborate why you would need a full passport for air travel if you had planned to drive. Get the real deal, you might want to travel to Borneo next!
Apr 6, 2017 07:36:23 #
jerryc41 wrote:
Of the 70,000 members here, someone must have crossed from the USA into Canada. Was a passport required? I read online that I would not need a passport, but when I asked about getting one at the post office, the woman said I would need a passport to enter Canada. I should have kept mine current. If I get a new one, it will cost me $150.
Jerry, since you live in NY, you can obtain a "Enhanced Drivers License". I have a passport, because Illinois does not border Canada, but all states that border Canada offer special licences that allow border crossing.
Apr 6, 2017 11:19:25 #
jerryc41 wrote:
Of the 70,000 members here, someone must have crossed from the USA into Canada. Was a passport required? I read online that I would not need a passport, but when I asked about getting one at the post office, the woman said I would need a passport to enter Canada. I should have kept mine current. If I get a new one, it will cost me $150.
Why is it going to cost you $150? What difference would it make to keep it current? I think you pay the same to renew as you do for a new one.
Apr 6, 2017 11:37:56 #
tusketwedge wrote:
Jerry have a look at this site: US Citizens do not need passports to cross the US-Canada border ...
www.wildernessisland.com/CanadaUSBorder.php
www.wildernessisland.com/CanadaUSBorder.php
How current is that information? The article references 2008 and 2009. I couldn't tell when the article was written.
Apr 6, 2017 12:06:59 #
I wouldn't trust what anybody says here, including me. Someone here says you don't need a passport and you get to the border and they say you do. What do you do then? Someone here says you need one, you spend the money to get one, and you get to the border and say it isn't needed. You have spent the money needlessly. You need to check with a reliable Canadian government source.
That being said, this Canadian government website says you don't need a passport, but you do need proof of citizenship and a photo ID.
http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/publications/pub/bsf5082-eng.html#s1x1
"Identification documents required
When you enter Canada, a border services officer may ask to see your passport and a valid visa (if you are arriving from a country from which one is required). If you are a United States citizen (U.S.), you do not need a passport to enter Canada; however, you should carry proof of your citizenship such as a birth certificate, a certificate of citizenship or naturalization or a Certificate of Indian Status, as well as a photo ID. If you are a permanent resident of the U.S., you must bring your permanent resident card with you.
All travellers, including U.S. citizens, are encouraged to visit the U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Web site at www.cbp.gov for information on the U.S. Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative and its traveller requirements to enter or return to the United States."
At some point you have to use the most reliable source and trust your source.
I think another problem you have is the agent you are dealing with at the border. If their law says you don't need a passport and the border agent says you can't get in without a passport, what are you going to do?
Having said all that it only solves half the problem. You are going to want to get back into the United States. The requirements for getting into Canada aren't the same as getting back into the U.S.
That being said, this Canadian government website says you don't need a passport, but you do need proof of citizenship and a photo ID.
http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/publications/pub/bsf5082-eng.html#s1x1
"Identification documents required
When you enter Canada, a border services officer may ask to see your passport and a valid visa (if you are arriving from a country from which one is required). If you are a United States citizen (U.S.), you do not need a passport to enter Canada; however, you should carry proof of your citizenship such as a birth certificate, a certificate of citizenship or naturalization or a Certificate of Indian Status, as well as a photo ID. If you are a permanent resident of the U.S., you must bring your permanent resident card with you.
All travellers, including U.S. citizens, are encouraged to visit the U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Web site at www.cbp.gov for information on the U.S. Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative and its traveller requirements to enter or return to the United States."
At some point you have to use the most reliable source and trust your source.
I think another problem you have is the agent you are dealing with at the border. If their law says you don't need a passport and the border agent says you can't get in without a passport, what are you going to do?
Having said all that it only solves half the problem. You are going to want to get back into the United States. The requirements for getting into Canada aren't the same as getting back into the U.S.
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