...when traveling back and forth between Canada and the US? Silly question, but it has been several years since I've been up north to visit Canadian relatives. We never used to need passports but I've heard that may have changed recently.

By Kate on Sunday, March 12, 2006 - 06:34 pm:

I don't think so. I can't recall when that law was supposed to take effect, or if it even passed. I know it received a lot of negative flak so it may never happen now. Birth certificates for the kids and drivers licenses for the adults are a must. Which US city are you entering Canada from?

By Emily7 on Sunday, March 12, 2006 - 06:50 pm:

My sister & bil just needed their birth certificates & drivers licenses. They just went last month to a convention in Canada.

By Trina~moderator on Sunday, March 12, 2006 - 06:52 pm:

Thanks, Kate. Found some info. Looks like passports will be required soon. We don't have a trip planned in the near future, but none of us have passports as of yet.

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html

By Trina~moderator on Sunday, March 12, 2006 - 07:17 pm:

Sorry Emily, I didn't see your post. Yes, I think currently a passport isn't required but by 12/31/07 they will be.

I still hold my Canadian citizenship and am a permanent US resident with a green card. That complicates things a little. I wonder how that all works when applying for a passport. Looks like I have more research to do.

By Ginny~moderator on Sunday, March 12, 2006 - 08:56 pm:

If they don't require passports now, they will soon, so you might as well get one "at your leisure". Trina, I just checked, and it looks like U.S. Passports are only issued to U.S. citizens. Check with your nearest Canadian consulate about what you have to do.

By Ginny~moderator on Sunday, March 12, 2006 - 08:59 pm:

Here's an article about the new rules, and the rules affecting Canada go into effect the end of this year, if I am reading the article correctly.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A28188-2005Apr5.html

By Missymelissy on Sunday, March 12, 2006 - 09:35 pm:

Trina -- just make sure you have you citizenship papers, your green card, your birth certificate and other photo id.

I know when I cross over to go to Michigan I have to show my birth certificate and another piece of photo id (I either use my health card or drivers license).

You could check with customs to see exactly what you will need.

When you come over, maybe if there is time, we could try to meet somewhere, if you would like.

By Dawnk777 on Sunday, March 12, 2006 - 09:48 pm:

In 2008 you will. We didn't need them for our trip to Niagara Falls last summer.

By Karen~moderator on Sunday, March 12, 2006 - 10:16 pm:

Boss's DD and her hubby took their kids on a *northern* vacation last summer and she had to have her passport to go to the Canadian side of the falls. Her DH and kids were not allowed.

By Dawnk777 on Monday, March 13, 2006 - 07:43 am:

We only needed a driver's license to cross to the other side. We had birth certificates, but no one ever looked at them. Crossing into Canada was very painless. On the way back to the US, it took longer, because they made us get out of the car, and the dogs had to sniff out our stuff.

By Tripletmom on Monday, March 13, 2006 - 12:23 pm:

As of now you only need birth certificates and drivers liscence. Next year when we travel to the USA our family will need passports to get across.I think you should get them soon because when it becomes mandatory you know the government will put an increase on them.Thats usually the way it is here in Canada

By Marcia on Monday, March 13, 2006 - 01:25 pm:

The dates change constantly, and maybe it will never happen. Every time the date gets close it's extended. We just crossed and I wasn't asked for any ID at all. I had a letter from a lawyer saying I had hubby's permission to take the kids out of the country, and the guy didn't ask me anything. It just depends on who you get at the border, and what kind of a mood he/she's in.
Karen, I can't figure out what happened to that person, because it's not a law. There must have been more to it.