Speedy von Vloppen Posted December 1, 2012 Report Posted December 1, 2012 My roommate and I might drive up to Canada from the US this summer. I have a US passport, so I'm good to go. My roommate was born in Canada and lived in a foster home there till he was 7 when he was adopted by an American family. He's lived in the US ever since. He says he doesn't need a passport because he can just show his Canadian birth certificate at the border and he'll be allowed in. I'm not so sure. I remember you used to be able to travel to and from both countries with just a US or a Canadian drivers license. I know for a fact that's no longer the case. I've urged him to get his passport. He got his US citizenship in the 80s and therefore can get a US passport. With his Canadian birth certificate, he could probably get a Canadian one if he chose to. Does anyone know if his birth certificate at the border is enough? Or do I need to insist that he get a passport? Quote
The_Squid Posted December 1, 2012 Report Posted December 1, 2012 It's not Canada that demands the passport. It is the requirements of the USA. Quote
The_Squid Posted December 1, 2012 Report Posted December 1, 2012 http://www.peacebridge.com/index.php?Itemid=743&id=57&option=com_content&view=article Quote
Sleipnir Posted December 1, 2012 Report Posted December 1, 2012 My roommate and I might drive up to Canada from the US this summer. The_Squid basically answered your question. Might be advisable for you to check the weather before heading across the border - old man winter is starting to arrive. Quote "All you need in this life is ignorance and confidence; then success is sure." - Mark Twain
Speedy von Vloppen Posted December 1, 2012 Author Report Posted December 1, 2012 The_Squid basically answered your question. Might be advisable for you to check the weather before heading across the border - old man winter is starting to arrive. Appreciate the concern, but we won't be heading up north until the summer. Many thanks to everyone. Quote
jbg Posted December 1, 2012 Report Posted December 1, 2012 The_Squid basically answered your question. Might be advisable for you to check the weather before heading across the border - old man winter is starting to arrive. Isn't Canada always locked in deep-freeze? Quote Free speech: "You can say what you want, but I don't have to lend you my megaphone." Always remember that when you are in the right you can afford to keep your temper, and when you are in the wrong you cannot afford to lose it. - J.J. Reynolds. Will the steps anyone is proposing to fight "climate change" reduce a single temperature, by a single degree, at a single location? The mantra of "world opinion" or the views of the "international community" betrays flabby and weak reasoning (link).
Guest American Woman Posted December 1, 2012 Report Posted December 1, 2012 (edited) I've urged him to get his passport. He got his US citizenship in the 80s and therefore can get a US passport. With his Canadian birth certificate, he could probably get a Canadian one if he chose to.Does anyone know if his birth certificate at the border is enough? Or do I need to insist that he get a passport? I suggest you visit travel.state.gov to get answers to your travel questions. The site will tell you all you need to know, including the necessary documents required for obtaining a U.S. passport. Also, from the site, "Most U.S. citizens, including dual nationals, must use a U.S. passport to enter and leave the United States." Edited December 1, 2012 by American Woman Quote
Sleipnir Posted December 1, 2012 Report Posted December 1, 2012 Isn't Canada always locked in deep-freeze? If you considered 122 Fahrenheit to be a deep-freeze Quote "All you need in this life is ignorance and confidence; then success is sure." - Mark Twain
Bonam Posted December 1, 2012 Report Posted December 1, 2012 Does anyone know if his birth certificate at the border is enough? Or do I need to insist that he get a passport? Regardless of whether he can get into Canada or not, he will need a passport to get back into the US. Quote
The_Squid Posted December 1, 2012 Report Posted December 1, 2012 Isn't Canada always locked in deep-freeze? It's 11 degrees (52F) today. Not so frozen.... We rarely get snow here. Quote
jbg Posted December 2, 2012 Report Posted December 2, 2012 If you considered 122 Fahrenheit to be a deep-freeze As an American, I'm taught that most Canadians live in igloos and travel by dog sled. Quote Free speech: "You can say what you want, but I don't have to lend you my megaphone." Always remember that when you are in the right you can afford to keep your temper, and when you are in the wrong you cannot afford to lose it. - J.J. Reynolds. Will the steps anyone is proposing to fight "climate change" reduce a single temperature, by a single degree, at a single location? The mantra of "world opinion" or the views of the "international community" betrays flabby and weak reasoning (link).
The_Squid Posted December 2, 2012 Report Posted December 2, 2012 As an American, I'm taught that most Canadians live in igloos and travel by dog sled. Igloo melted and dogs ran away.... I should write a country/western song.... Quote
wyly Posted December 2, 2012 Report Posted December 2, 2012 It's 11 degrees (52F) today. Not so frozen.... We rarely get snow here. palm trees and suntan oil this time of year in calgary, winter arrives for two weeks either side of the new year then it's back to the suntan oil Quote “Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives.”- John Stuart Mill
wyly Posted December 2, 2012 Report Posted December 2, 2012 Igloo melted and dogs ran away.... I should write a country/western song.... didn't someone write about their "dead dog buried in the back yard", won a country music award or something last year Quote “Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives.”- John Stuart Mill
jbg Posted December 2, 2012 Report Posted December 2, 2012 Igloo melted and dogs ran away.... I should write a country/western song.... Better than my regaling you with seal hunting tails from just outside Saskatoon. Quote Free speech: "You can say what you want, but I don't have to lend you my megaphone." Always remember that when you are in the right you can afford to keep your temper, and when you are in the wrong you cannot afford to lose it. - J.J. Reynolds. Will the steps anyone is proposing to fight "climate change" reduce a single temperature, by a single degree, at a single location? The mantra of "world opinion" or the views of the "international community" betrays flabby and weak reasoning (link).
bleeding heart Posted December 6, 2012 Report Posted December 6, 2012 (edited) Isn't Canada always locked in deep-freeze? No...but in here NB, longer than it should be. But then, God despises us (and the feeling is mutual) so..... Edited December 6, 2012 by bleeding heart Quote “There is a limit to how much we can constantly say no to the political masters in Washington. All we had was Afghanistan to wave. On every other file we were offside. Eventually we came onside on Haiti, so we got another arrow in our quiver." --Bill Graham, Former Canadian Foreign Minister, 2007
GostHacked Posted December 7, 2012 Report Posted December 7, 2012 Isn't Canada always locked in deep-freeze? Yes, it's how we are able to maintain several metropoli of igloos. Quote
-TSS- Posted December 9, 2012 Report Posted December 9, 2012 I can't understand why showing a piece of plastic at a border is considered such a nuisance. Quote
jbg Posted December 9, 2012 Report Posted December 9, 2012 I can't understand why showing a piece of plastic at a border is considered such a nuisance. I'll give you a "for instance." Back in 1977 my friend and I left New York City and planned on a day hike up Mr. Marcy. That was aborted by rainy weather and the fact that it would have necessitated an overnight stay on the mountainside in the rain (unfortunately that's exactly what happened in 1981 as well). We opted for a much shorter hike up nearby Mt. Algonquin.After that we had spare time prior to our evening performance tickets at the Saratoga Springs Performing Arts Center (SPAC). So we decided, on a goof, to take a short trip to Montreal. That would not have been possible nowadays, since in 1977 I didn't have a passport (got that in 1984) and in any case we woudln't have thought to bring it since Montreal wasn't part of the plans. In short, the requirement kills any spontaneous travel if you happen to be near the border. Another example might be if you're college visiting at University of Vermont or skiing in northern Vermont. A quick trip on a whim is now out. Quote Free speech: "You can say what you want, but I don't have to lend you my megaphone." Always remember that when you are in the right you can afford to keep your temper, and when you are in the wrong you cannot afford to lose it. - J.J. Reynolds. Will the steps anyone is proposing to fight "climate change" reduce a single temperature, by a single degree, at a single location? The mantra of "world opinion" or the views of the "international community" betrays flabby and weak reasoning (link).
bush_cheney2004 Posted December 9, 2012 Report Posted December 9, 2012 I can't understand why showing a piece of plastic at a border is considered such a nuisance. It's not, but one should consider that the status quo was far more lenient for many, many years, and comparisons will be made. The Canadian-American and American-Mexican border areas are micro-economies that depend on cross border traffic, irrespective of larger sovereign state interests. Canadians love their cross border shopping to the USA, and rail against anything that would disturb it. Similarly, Americans liked to seek bargains down Mexico way on day trips, now quite the risk and not worth it for a cheap leather jacket or purse. There is also a secondary dynamic involving open warrants and prior criminal records that invite closer inspection and apprehension while attempting to cross the border. Perps don't like that. Quote Economics trumps Virtue.
jbg Posted December 10, 2012 Report Posted December 10, 2012 There is also a secondary dynamic involving open warrants and prior criminal records that invite closer inspection and apprehension while attempting to cross the border. Perps don't like that. What about less drastic issues such as a minor pot conviction? Quote Free speech: "You can say what you want, but I don't have to lend you my megaphone." Always remember that when you are in the right you can afford to keep your temper, and when you are in the wrong you cannot afford to lose it. - J.J. Reynolds. Will the steps anyone is proposing to fight "climate change" reduce a single temperature, by a single degree, at a single location? The mantra of "world opinion" or the views of the "international community" betrays flabby and weak reasoning (link).
bush_cheney2004 Posted December 10, 2012 Report Posted December 10, 2012 What about less drastic issues such as a minor pot conviction? I no makee the rules....conviction for anything generally does not enhance one's chances for crossing the border. Quote Economics trumps Virtue.
jbg Posted December 10, 2012 Report Posted December 10, 2012 I no makee the rules....conviction for anything generally does not enhance one's chances for crossing the border. My point is that even though we're independent countries in many respects we function as a unit. As far as I know it's a unique arrangement in the world. Quote Free speech: "You can say what you want, but I don't have to lend you my megaphone." Always remember that when you are in the right you can afford to keep your temper, and when you are in the wrong you cannot afford to lose it. - J.J. Reynolds. Will the steps anyone is proposing to fight "climate change" reduce a single temperature, by a single degree, at a single location? The mantra of "world opinion" or the views of the "international community" betrays flabby and weak reasoning (link).
bush_cheney2004 Posted December 10, 2012 Report Posted December 10, 2012 (edited) Perhaps, but border crossings offer an irresistible opportunity to screen for perps. Same as any routine traffic stop. Working as a unit includes integrated information systems. Despite jokes otherwise, some things do indeed go on one's "permanent record". There are over 1 million outstanding warrants in the U.S. alone. If Canada or Mexico were to refuse me entry, I would just turn around an go home regardless of the reason. It's their country. Edited December 10, 2012 by bush_cheney2004 Quote Economics trumps Virtue.
Bryan Posted December 10, 2012 Report Posted December 10, 2012 I can't understand why showing a piece of plastic at a border is considered such a nuisance. It's needing to have it, and the time and effort required to get it that is the nuisance. People who really know you often can't be guarantors on the application, but "official" people who don't know you from Adam usually can. You also have to plan in advance, pay the fee, stand in line, wait for it in the mail, etc. Up until very recently, we could just go back and forth across the border on a whim. You didn't have to plan weeks in advance, and you didn't have to have a reason. People literally used to decide on the spur of moment to head down to the states, and you'd just go, no worrying about who did or didn't have their passport with them (or if they even had one at all). Quote
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