Crossing the US/Canada border...

[scrapperjade]

Hey girls! DH and I are getting ready to go on vacation on Saturday. We are crossing over the border to go to Oregon on the 15th and while we have our passports, I was wondering if anyone knew if we needed any more supporting documents?

Avalynne will be 19 months old, and I've heard/read SOMEWHERE that we should bring her passport AND another document, such as her birth certificate, and photo ID for ourselves. Anyone know if this is true (about the birth cert for Ava - we have photo ID in our wallets at all times - no worries about leaving those behind).

[tuneskids]

all you need for Avalynne is her birth certificate. For yourself & hubby, passports should be all you will need, but you could always bring your driver's license and birth certificates too, just in case.

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/menu-eng.html

[scrapperjade]

You mean when I go to the border, I don't need Ava's passport OR that I need her birth cert along with her passport? We're bringing her passport either way though, lol. I guess I will tuck in her birth certificate too, just to be safe.

[DawnMarch]

The passport should be enough. We've crossed the border many times with our kids using their passports and they've never asked for a BC.

[julifish]

I'm pretty sure, but don't quote me on this, you need passports for everyone at the border now. It would be helpful, in case you are questioned (and since they can't ask the child who she is) that you have additional identification for your daughter.

Have a great trip!

[tuneskids]

you don't need a passport for anyone under the age of 15. All that is required under the age of 15 is a birth certificate. But since you do have a passport for Avalynne, that should be all you need. I would bring both though, if it was me.

Documents for entry into the United States

Canadian citizens traveling by air to, through or from the United States must present one of the following valid documents:

• a passport; or
• a NEXUS card when used at a kiosk at designated Canadian airports and at all U.S. airports when returning to Canada.

This requirement applies to all travelers, regardless of age, including children.


Canadian citizens aged 15 years or under are only required to present proof of Canadian citizenship, such as an original or a photocopy of a birth certificate, or an original citizenship card, when entering the United States by land or water. Canadian citizens 18 years of age or under who are travelling with a school or other organized group, under adult supervision with parental/guardian consent, may also present proof of Canadian citizenship alone.

[Leah]

I think you're safe if you all have passports.

You do not need passports for children under the age of 16 years if you are travelling by land or water. In this case, you would need birth certificates for the kids.

We are in the (slow) process of getting our passports done for all 5 of us.

[scrapperjade]

Okay thanks much for the info ladies! I was confused, lol! We got all our passports last month so we should be safe. We got Ava's because we are planning to go to the Dominican this winter and we'd need it then anyways.

[Paula]

Jae, when my sister went to Canada last month, she was told by our immigration office that she didn't need passports for her children since they are all under 15 - but to take their birth certificates with them in case of any question. Only she and my brother-in-law had to have passports.

[juliemarie]

Passport or Passport card is all the adults need, and a birth certificate for anyone under 16.

Also, if you ever try to cross the border without both parents, I'd suggest a notarized permission slip from the parent not with (not sure if its necessary, but I can tell you from previous experience its helpful. And I can also tell you not to cross the border as a group and put the guys in one vehicle and the girls & kids in another, that really confuses them)

[newfiemountiewife]

Originally Posted by juliemarie

Passport or Passport card is all the adults need, and a birth certificate for anyone under 16.

Also, if you ever try to cross the border without both parents, I'd suggest a notarized permission slip from the parent not with (not sure if its necessary, but I can tell you from previous experience its helpful. And I can also tell you not to cross the border as a group and put the guys in one vehicle and the girls & kids in another, that really confuses them)

I agree with this. I took the kids to my mother's without Tony. I had a signed, notarized letter stating that I had permission to leave the country with the kids. I didn't end up doing so, but we had one just in case.

[scrapperjade]

I knew about the letter for going over the border without DH, but I won't need that - we are going on a family vacation this time!

[bexy]

jade - take both the passport and birth certificate. some of those border guards are picky and mean just for the sake of it!! i've been taken into the office driving thru a border more than once for the most insanely stupid reasons (once b/c i didn't have enough cash on me to support my whole trip. really dude? who carries around cash for a week's worth of food/lodging?). if you cover all your bases, you'll be a much happier camper in the end!

[scrapperjade]

Originally Posted by bexy

jade - take both the passport and birth certificate. some of those border guards are picky and mean just for the sake of it!! i've been taken into the office driving thru a border more than once for the most insanely stupid reasons (once b/c i didn't have enough cash on me to support my whole trip. really dude? who carries around cash for a week's worth of food/lodging?). if you cover all your bases, you'll be a much happier camper in the end!

Thats what I'm afraid of (the nazi border gaurd). I definately will take both, just in case. I hope that we don't run into any problems!!

[wvasweetness]

We traveled back in June... adults need passports or passport cards. Kids under 16 only need birth certs.

At the border we gave them Wesley's passport and they didn't ask for anything else. I have heard that a notorized letter is required if BOTH parents aren't traveling with the minor, though...

But their website is really good - has all the facts.