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.

He/she should not wait to apply. It can take several months to process.

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.

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.

And I'd trust PJ to know, seeing as he crosses the border quite frequently.

BillConner wrote on Feb 12^th, 2011 at 6:27pm:

Nice to know there is an expedited service because "same-day" service can be a bit pricey (if you can get it). 

Maybe a dozen years ago, my daughter was headed to Europe with a group.  Two days before departure, she began looking for her passport.  Panic set in after it didn't turn up in either the safe deposit box or any of the "hiding" places at home.  The additional bad new ... the passport was with her birth certificate.

The next day, after numerous unsuccessful calls to see if there was any remedy for this short term problem, I finally gave my local congressman a call.  They soon called back and said that if we could get my daughter to Houston (the closest passport office) before the end of the day, they would issue her an passport on an emergency basis.  I said, OK and we'd try to get her to the passport office that day.

Next step was to find a flight to Houston that could get them to the passport office in a timely manner.  Intercontinental... to far out... takes more time.  We finally settled on an early afternoon flight to Hobby (closer to downtown). I quickly loaded my wife and daughter in the car and shot down the road to the airport in Dallas (Love, not DFW ... its a longer drive).  Luckily the traffic was not too bad and we made the airport in about 45 minutes (at least that was sufficient time to eat lunch while we drove).  Arrived at the airport, and dropped them off.  I "stood by" in the parking lot to make sure they made the flight ... they did. 

Upon arrival at Houston, they quickly flagged a cab ... "any of you guys ever drive a cab in Boston?"  Your it!  Haul ass to the passport office!!  After arriving at the federal building, it took a little time to find the office, but by 4:00 they were in the passport office.  "Oh NO!  Long lines!!!  Will we get to the desk before the office closes?"  They finally did ... at 4:55.  They explained who they were, to which the agent responded "Oh, Yes!"  She temporarily left her station and returned to her station.  As she handed the new passport across the desk, it was still VERY warm to the touch from the laminating machine.

They relaxed a bit afterwards before taking in a quick dinner before heading back ... after all, my daughter now had to finish packing for the next morning's flight.  They arrived back in Dallas before 8:00, looking a fit frazzled ... but the next day, she was on the plane!

So, I guess it helps to use a little "grease."  I guess it didn't hurt, that the congressman I called was then "Majority Leader of the House."

dd

Holy cow, thanks for all the responses.  I will tell him to get a move on and apply for the passport card.

Spartan1 and I just got our first passports this winter and they didn't take months, they took about 6 weeks.  We didn't get the cards, we got books, but I don't know of any reason why getting a card should take longer.

We didn't get any expedited service, just applied at the Post Office, and it was a bit shy of 6 weeks when they arrived.

Snow_Dog wrote on Feb 12^th, 2011 at 6:33pm:


Exactly