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heading to Vancouver w/out a passport

fanforlifefanforlife Posts: 138
edited February 2008 in The Porch
Has any U.S. citizen gone to Canada and returned since Jan 31, 2008 with a birth certificate and driver's license and NOT a passport? I don't have a passport and need to decide if I am going to rush mail the request tomorrow.

Here is what the U.S. passport site says:

JANUARY 31, 2008
U.S. and Canadian citizens will need to present either a WHTI-compliant document, or a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, plus proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate. DHS also proposes to begin alternative procedures for U.S. and Canadian children at that time.


LATER
At a later date, to be determined, the departments will implement the full requirements of the land and sea phase of WHTI. The proposed rules require most U.S. citizens entering the United States at sea or land ports of entry to have either a U.S. passport; a U.S. passport card; a trusted traveler card such as NEXUS, FAST, or SENTRI; a valid Merchant Mariner Document (MMD) when traveling in conjunction with official maritime business; or a valid U.S. Military identification card when traveling on official orders.


So I htink I am safe with my birth cert and driver license, but I am wondering if anyone has personal experience with this.

P.S. Sorry if this is the wrong place for this thread...
A mind full of questions, and a teacher in my soul
And so it goes...
Post edited by Unknown User on

Comments

  • Kilgore_TroutKilgore_Trout Posts: 7,334
    my understanding of the change of law is that it went into effect immediately... i say you should DEFINITELY expedite the passport to you and have it in time or else sell your ticket ASAP (if 10C is even doing transfers)... theres no point in you waiting til the last minute and then wasting a ticket that could be used by someone who got shut out... just very risky IMO... and be sure to turn that passport stuff in real soon cause ya never know how long its gonna take even if you pay extra to get it fast... good luck!

    EDIT: i stand corrected... i just always prefer to be safe rather than sorry... sounds like youll be fine tho
    "Senza speme vivemo in disio"

    http://seanbriceart.com/
  • Thorns2010Thorns2010 Posts: 2,201
    The local news today said if you are entering by plane yes you need a passport. But entering by land you don't need a passport until June 1st 2009.

    So unless you really want to pay the extra amount to express your passport you should be fine.
  • MasterFramerMasterFramer Posts: 2,268
    Thorns2010 wrote:
    The local news today said if you are entering by plane yes you need a passport. But entering by land you don't need a passport until June 1st 2009.

    So unless you really want to pay the extra amount to express your passport you should be fine.

    This is my understanding as well...
    10.31.93 / 10.1.94 / 6.24.95 / 11.4.95 / 10.19-20.96 / 7.16.98 / 7.21.98 / 10.31.00 /8.4.01 Nader Rally/ 10.21.01 / 12.8-9.02 / 6.01.03 / 9.1.05 / 7.15-16,18.06 / 7.20.06 / 7.22-23.06 / Lolla 07
  • prismprism Posts: 2,440
    you don't need a passport. the law changed on Jan. 31st so that they will no longer take a verbal declaration (in other words they won't just take your word for it anymore) as proof of citizenship. a passport is only needed as of now if you're crossing the border by plane.

    you'll be fine with a driver's license/state ID and birth certifcate.
    *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
    angels share laughter
    *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
  • haffajappahaffajappa Posts: 5,955
    we're canada, come on in!
    but getting back might be a problem...
    live pearl jam is best pearl jam
  • fanforlifefanforlife Posts: 138
    doin'the-evolution wrote:
    we're canada, come on in!
    but getting back might be a problem...

    Indeed, I figured getting to the show would not be a problem; it was the return I was concerned about, but thank you to everyone who has helped clarify/ease my concerns.
    A mind full of questions, and a teacher in my soul
    And so it goes...
  • MasterFramerMasterFramer Posts: 2,268
    doin'the-evolution wrote:
    we're canada, come on in!
    but getting back might be a problem...

    Is getting back really an issue? I didnt realize... maybe I just get my passport replaced.
    10.31.93 / 10.1.94 / 6.24.95 / 11.4.95 / 10.19-20.96 / 7.16.98 / 7.21.98 / 10.31.00 /8.4.01 Nader Rally/ 10.21.01 / 12.8-9.02 / 6.01.03 / 9.1.05 / 7.15-16,18.06 / 7.20.06 / 7.22-23.06 / Lolla 07
  • prismprism Posts: 2,440
    MasterFramer wrote:
    Is getting back really an issue? I didnt realize... maybe I just get my passport replaced.

    no. what everyone has been saying applies to coming back into the US. the extensive cavity searches the Canadians do are much gentler ;)
    *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
    angels share laughter
    *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
  • haffajappahaffajappa Posts: 5,955
    MasterFramer wrote:
    Is getting back really an issue? I didnt realize... maybe I just get my passport replaced.
    haha, all i know is, on the way down across the border, we hafto hand over id/passports, pop the trunk, answer questions, etc etc.
    on the way up it usually goes like this:

    canadian border guard: you canadian?
    me: yep.
    canadian border guard: [nod] have a nice day.
    live pearl jam is best pearl jam
  • wolfbearwolfbear Posts: 3,965
    MasterFramer wrote:
    Is getting back really an issue? I didnt realize... maybe I just get my passport replaced.
    Driving not yet, at least as I understand it. :)
    http://www.dhs.gov/xtrvlsec/crossingborders/
    But, I'd get your passport or nexus soon. :)
    "I'd rather be with an animal." "Those that can be trusted can change their mind." "The in between is mine." "If I don't lose control, explore and not explode, a preternatural other plane with the power to maintain." "Yeh this is living." "Life is what you make it."
  • MasterFramerMasterFramer Posts: 2,268
    doin'the-evolution wrote:
    haha, all i know is, on the way down across the border, we hafto hand over id/passports, pop the trunk, answer questions, etc etc.
    on the way up it usually goes like this:

    canadian border guard: you canadian?
    me: yep.
    canadian border guard: [nod] have a nice day.

    LOL... understandable though... gotta keep them terrorists out! ;)

    But seriously as long as we are clean will we be OK coming back in? How about I bring a bith certificate AND my Passport my dog chewed up? :D
    10.31.93 / 10.1.94 / 6.24.95 / 11.4.95 / 10.19-20.96 / 7.16.98 / 7.21.98 / 10.31.00 /8.4.01 Nader Rally/ 10.21.01 / 12.8-9.02 / 6.01.03 / 9.1.05 / 7.15-16,18.06 / 7.20.06 / 7.22-23.06 / Lolla 07
  • haffajappahaffajappa Posts: 5,955
    MasterFramer wrote:
    LOL... understandable though... gotta keep them terrorists out! ;)

    But seriously as long as we are clean will we be OK coming back in? How about I bring a bith certificate AND my Passport my dog chewed up? :D
    pfffft, as if you'd WANT to leave our beautiful country afterwards but anyways,
    i think its fine, i saw on the news that the rules are changing but the border guards are letting things slide? i don't know... what it is anymore...
    at one of my jobs i take passport photos and people are alwyas telling me different things they've been told about the rules i've lost track.

    you coming to vancouver 1 and or 2?
    live pearl jam is best pearl jam
  • MasterFramerMasterFramer Posts: 2,268
    doin'the-evolution wrote:
    pfffft, as if you'd WANT to leave our beautiful country afterwards but anyways,
    i think its fine, i saw on the news that the rules are changing but the border guards are letting things slide? i don't know... what it is anymore...
    at one of my jobs i take passport photos and people are alwyas telling me different things they've been told about the rules i've lost track.

    you coming to vancouver 1 and or 2?

    I have skied in Banf and spent a half a week at Lake Louise, caught a cruise to Alaska from Vancouver. Vancouver reminded me of San Francisco, Im looking forward to actually hanging out there... may even jet out to the mountain and ride the day before night 2 :).

    1 yes... pretty sure about 2.
    10.31.93 / 10.1.94 / 6.24.95 / 11.4.95 / 10.19-20.96 / 7.16.98 / 7.21.98 / 10.31.00 /8.4.01 Nader Rally/ 10.21.01 / 12.8-9.02 / 6.01.03 / 9.1.05 / 7.15-16,18.06 / 7.20.06 / 7.22-23.06 / Lolla 07
  • haffajappahaffajappa Posts: 5,955
    MasterFramer wrote:
    I have skied in Banf and spent a half a week at Lake Louise, caught a cruise to Alaska from Vancouver. Vancouver reminded me of San Francisco, Im looking forward to actually hanging out there... may even jet out to the mountain and ride the day before night 2 :).

    1 yes... pretty sure about 2.
    cool cool, i've driven through banff its really nice there... all those towns on the way into alberta/near the alberta border are cool... golden, revelstoke, jasper etc.

    i guess i'll see you at the pre party theN?
    WOOT i'm so stoked.
    live pearl jam is best pearl jam
  • CanadianEHCanadianEH Posts: 134
    doin'the-evolution wrote:
    we're canada, come on in!
    but getting back might be a problem...
    Made me laugh on a horrible day. Thanks!
    Vancouver 07/19/98 Vancouver 05/30/03
    Portland 11/02/00 Vancouver 09/02/05
    Boise 11/03/00 Gorge 1 07/22/06
    Seattle 1 11/05/00 Gorge 2 07/23/06
    Seattle 2 11/06/00 Vancouver 09/25/09
  • CanadianEHCanadianEH Posts: 134
    MasterFramer wrote:
    I have skied in Banf and spent a half a week at Lake Louise, caught a cruise to Alaska from Vancouver. Vancouver reminded me of San Francisco, Im looking forward to actually hanging out there... may even jet out to the mountain and ride the day before night 2 :).

    1 yes... pretty sure about 2.
    Might as well make the trip up to the Okangan for some skiing. I think there is still a 207 cm base (a little more than 6 feet) on the ski hills and select golf courses are already open in the valley.
    Vancouver 07/19/98 Vancouver 05/30/03
    Portland 11/02/00 Vancouver 09/02/05
    Boise 11/03/00 Gorge 1 07/22/06
    Seattle 1 11/05/00 Gorge 2 07/23/06
    Seattle 2 11/06/00 Vancouver 09/25/09
  • MagnusonPark82MagnusonPark82 Posts: 180
    Having the passport isn't neccessary yet, I believe. But I do think it expedites getting back in. We always show ours and are waved through quickly. Noticed that people who don't show passports get asked a lot more questions. But then again, it's me, my wife, and 2 young kids - hardly a suspicious looking crew.

    One tip - you might want to take the truck route across the border. Sometimes its quite a bit faster. Just follow the signs that you'll see about 2-3 miles before the border.
    _____________________________________________

    "Sitting on a cornflake, waiting for the van to come...."
  • TheGossmanTheGossman Posts: 1,120
    it was the opposite for me, I went to the Vancouver show back in 05 from Seattle and going into Canada was a BITCH! Well mabey the border control officer was having a bad day, or mabey it was because everyone in the car was from a different state, but he was such a smart ass. He even made us go to the office and answer questions, but the lady that was asking the questions was totally cool, she said she had seen PJ at shoreline in Mountain view, but we barely made the show!

    Getting back was cake, took about 1 minute to get back into the US. No passport as long as your driving I believe.
    9/4/98, 8/4/00, 12/8/02, 12/9/02, 4/15/03, 4/16/03, 4/19/03, 4/25/03, 4/26/03, 4/28/03, 4/29/03, 4/30/03, 7/8/03, 7/9/03, 9/28/04, 9/29/04, 10/6/04, 9/1/05, 9/2/05, 5/16/06, 5/17/06, 5/27/06, 5/28/06, 5/30/06, 6/1/06, 6/3/06, 8/5/07, 6/11/08, 6/12/08, 6/14/08, 6/16/08, 6/24/08, 6/25/08
  • haffajappahaffajappa Posts: 5,955
    CanadianEH? wrote:
    Made me laugh on a horrible day. Thanks!
    anytiiiiime :)
    live pearl jam is best pearl jam
  • holapearljamholapearljam Posts: 62
    I just got my passport for a vacation I'm taking this summer. I did regular processing and had the passport in my mailbox 8 days later.
  • candleofthoughtcandleofthought Posts: 894
    I spent about 15 minutes with a nice lady from the DOL just this afternoon. She assured me that I do not need a passport to get back to the U.S. from Canada until 2009. All you need is a drivers license and a birth certificate. I wanted to get the $15.00 enhanced Washington state drivers licence (it lets you get across the border, no problems) but, the waiting list is booked till May!
    There's alot to be said for Nowhere
  • haffajappahaffajappa Posts: 5,955
    all ya need is love!
    live pearl jam is best pearl jam
  • ACCBootlegGoddessACCBootlegGoddess Posts: 4,248
    technically you should be ok without one driving BUT I know the customs officiers do what they want.
    They insist on it when we drive into the US now....especially into Buffalo. They were going to refuse my roommates sister entry when she couldn't find hers...even tho she had her birth certificate and drivers licence. Fortunatley she found it in time.
    "Rock and roll is something that can't be quantified, sometimes it's not even something you hear, but FEEL!" - Bob Lefsetz
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