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10 Crossing Canadian/US border (Read 8948 times)
Arrowhead Paddler
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Crossing Canadian/US border
Feb 12th, 2011 at 2:06pm
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I am planning a canoe trip in Canada this summer, but one of my paddling partners does not have a passport.  Can you still cross the border with a birth certificate/valid ID, or is a passport required?

I tried searching this old posts and the general internet for the answer, but was finding conflicting results.

Thanks in advance.
  
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Puckster
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Re: Crossing Canadian/US border
Reply #1 - Feb 12th, 2011 at 2:34pm
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You NEED a passport!

prouboy
  
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Old Salt
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Re: Crossing Canadian/US border
Reply #2 - Feb 12th, 2011 at 2:44pm
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He/she should not wait to apply. It can take several months to process.
  
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Marten
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Re: Crossing Canadian/US border
Reply #3 - Feb 12th, 2011 at 4:02pm
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If crossing by car you can get by with a passport card. It is a cheaper option if you never plan on needing a full passport. I purchased both so that I do not have to carry the full passport on canoe trips. All the info is available online.

Another thing to check is that no one in your group has things on their criminal record that will prevent their entry into Canada. A forgotten DUI can bring the trip to a halt. Information sharing has made this an important issue. Years ago a person may have entered but not now.
  
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PhantomJug
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Re: Crossing Canadian/US border
Reply #4 - Feb 12th, 2011 at 4:43pm
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You NEED a passport or a Nexus Card.  Nexus is about a 2 month wait and requires an interview by a customs agent.  Passports are at least 4 months wait.

You will NOT be admitted entrance into Canada with an ID, birth certificate, DL or any combination thereof.  Period end of story.
  
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BillConner
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Re: Crossing Canadian/US border
Reply #5 - Feb 12th, 2011 at 6:19pm
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I'm not intending to make my self unpopular or sound disagreeable, but a US citzen can enter Canada without a passport.  Look at entry requirements at teh Canada Border Services Agency site.

"Non-Canadians - Requirements to Enter Canada.
When you enter Canada, a CBSA officer may ask to see your passport and a valid visa, if one is necessary. 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 photo identification. If you are a permanent resident of Canada or the U.S, you should bring your Permanent Resident Card with you."

You don't need a passport to get an RABC either.

To return to US by land or sea, you will need a passport (or one of those passport cards) if you are 16v or older.  Under 16, a birth certifcate (original or notarized copy) is acceptable.  I think you may need signed consent forms if both natural parents are not with a child.
  
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BillConner
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Re: Crossing Canadian/US border
Reply #6 - Feb 12th, 2011 at 6:27pm
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Applying 4 to 6 weeks in advance is a good idea but their are options.  From the US passport site:

ROUTINE SERVICE
As of ( Saturday February 12, 2011  ), we are processing routine applications in approximately 4-6 weeks from the time of application.

EXPEDITED SERVICE*
As of ( Saturday February 12, 2011  ), we are processing requests for expedited service, that include overnight delivery to and from the Passport Agency, about 2-3 weeks door-to-door*.

I think the Expedited service adds about $75.  There are other private for profit services that promise 24 hour delivery.  Not sure but as I recall maybe $100 fee.

And I to have heard reports of a recent dui being reason to not admit you to Canada.  No quick answer or service for that, though I'm not sure a murder conviction would keep you out with the right lawyer and enough money.
  
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Snow_Dog
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Re: Crossing Canadian/US border
Reply #7 - Feb 12th, 2011 at 6:33pm
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Technically true that you don't need a passport or passport card to enter Canada. 

If you plan to return to the US, though, you have to have one.
  
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Snow_Dog
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Re: Crossing Canadian/US border
Reply #8 - Feb 12th, 2011 at 6:34pm
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And I'd trust PJ to know, seeing as he crosses the border quite frequently.
  
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db
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Re: Crossing Canadian/US border
Reply #9 - Feb 12th, 2011 at 6:43pm
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Snow_Dog wrote on Feb 12th, 2011 at 6:34pm:
And I'd trust PJ to know, seeing as he crosses the border quite frequently.

Just to be clear, there's a card (not the Nexus Card) that's a bit cheaper. I believe it is for land crossings only. It's what I use. So, my question is, is that acceptable for crossing by boat and reporting in Ely or whatever with an RABC that people use for the southern Quetico entry points?
  
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