U.S. Citizen Visiting Canada

[Aloe 10]

I am planning on taking my family to Niagara Falls tomorrow and was so worried about making sure that the three of us Australians had everything we need I didn't even stop to think my U.S. Husband may have issues. I know they recently made it more difficult to cross even for American Citizens and was wondering what he would need. Without a Passport or Enhanced Drivers License the only things he really has are an Original Birth Certificate and a regular DL. Is this enough or should I not even bother trying?

Just in case anyone is wondering my family are traveling on the VWP and I was told they would be able to get in and out of Canada just fine as long as it is within their original 90 day visit to the U.S. and I will be traveling on my Green Card which has expired however, I do have my extension letter to show I am in the process of Removing Conditions.

TIA!

[nwctzn 55]

I am planning on taking my family to Niagara Falls tomorrow and was so worried about making sure that the three of us Australians had everything we need I didn't even stop to think my U.S. Husband may have issues. I know they recently made it more difficult to cross even for American Citizens and was wondering what he would need. Without a Passport or Enhanced Drivers License the only things he really has are an Original Birth Certificate and a regular DL. Is this enough or should I not even bother trying?

Just in case anyone is wondering my family are traveling on the VWP and I was told they would be able to get in and out of Canada just fine as long as it is within their original 90 day visit to the U.S. and I will be traveling on my Green Card which has expired however, I do have my extension letter to show I am in the process of Removing Conditions.

TIA!

I would suggest to read the official info from the US Department of State regarding travel to Canada:

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1082.html

Here is a summary:

Canadian law requires that all persons entering Canada carry both proof of citizenship and proof of identity. A valid U.S. passport, passport card or NEXUS card (see below) satisfies these requirements for U.S. citizens.

When returning to the United States from Canada, it is very important to note that all U.S. citizens are required to present a valid U.S. passport to enter or re-enter the United States via air. For entry into the United States via land and sea borders, U.S. citizens will need to present either a U.S. passport, passport card, NEXUS card, Enhanced Drivers License or other Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)-compliant document.

[Pamala Bull 4]

pretty sure he needs a passport now

[JudyKCski 12]

Looks like some of you will be able to go to the Canadian side - however it is nice looking at the Falls from the US side too... just a thought

[Jojo92122 1,924]

I am planning on taking my family to Niagara Falls tomorrow and was so worried about making sure that the three of us Australians had everything we need I didn't even stop to think my U.S. Husband may have issues. I know they recently made it more difficult to cross even for American Citizens and was wondering what he would need. Without a Passport or Enhanced Drivers License the only things he really has are an Original Birth Certificate and a regular DL. Is this enough or should I not even bother trying?

Just in case anyone is wondering my family are traveling on the VWP and I was told they would be able to get in and out of Canada just fine as long as it is within their original 90 day visit to the U.S. and I will be traveling on my Green Card which has expired however, I do have my extension letter to show I am in the process of Removing Conditions.

TIA!

Your husband will have problems if he leaves the US and tries to re-enter with his birth certificate and a regular DL.

I live in San Diego and frequently visit Mexico. Since March 2010, I have to show my US passport to re-enter the US. The DL is not sufficient.

Your husband should not leave the US.

[bigdog 376]

Passport or passport wallet card, needed.

[mrsz. R 1]

I`m from Canada and i know if your under 16 (so 15 and under) you only need birth certificate to cross into the US and back into Canada (for US/CDN citizens), but now you need your passport to visit, or enhanced DL, Nexus card if 16+

[NickD 202]

Kind of a shock to many of us with open borders to Canada for over two hundred years, in the automotive industry, have many divisions up there. And was free passage between Buffalo and Canada for many years. An executive order by Bush that was never reversed by Obama, he won't, because if just one terrorist passes, would be the end of this career.

Can't count the number of times I flew into Toronto, just needed an airline ticket. But this last time was crazy, easy going into Canada, custom was overwhelming nice and quick. But pure hell coming back into my own country, full inspections and over a four hour wait, damn near missed my flight. Got me to wondering why in the hell I am still living here.

But yes, you also now need a passport book, card, or a state endorsed drivers' license when going to Canada, even by walking or driving, Not so much when entering, but leaving the good old USA, and expect hell when coming back to your own country.

Maybe not bad to accept this if this is your first time, but when you could travel for years without all of this severe extra inconvenience, can really be quite annoying. Don't use logic, still over 3,500 miles of unprotected border. Guess our brilliant leaders figure those nasty guys will only try to enter via the airlines, the worse, or try to drive in.

But those 3,500 miles is only a fraction of our borders when you consider our coast lines and southern border. If our leaders were as nice as the rest of us hard working Americans, they wouldn't need that protection. Even if they were trained by our own military would have some common sense. But just Harvard guys accustomed to wild parties, skull clubs, and the like. But yet Americans are dumb enough to elect these idiots and liars. Yes, I hope they are reading this.

[Udella&Wiz 325]

Passport or Nexus card for the US citizen - just like Canadians are required to have a passport or Nexus card to enter the US

[fordchev 1]

FYI if you are a US green card holder you are not required to have a passport applies to Canadians

[Brother Hesekiel 2,235]

Yes,

he'll need a passport for international travel now (unless he has a NEXUS card or EDL). Since you can get one in about 3 hours (I got my passport in 170 minutes) from the passport agency in Buffalo, right around the corner from where you live, is it really worth going gagga over this?

http://travel.state.gov/passport/npic/agencies/agencies_913.html

[Kathryn41 3,205]

That is useful information that he is able to get an expedited passport at the Buffalo Passport Agency because he will need a US passport - not so much to enter Canada as what he has is fine to enter Canada - but to return to the US. The US Government requires US citizens who are returning to the US to present a passport, a passport card or one of the other recognized documents under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative.

You will be fine with your green card and extension letter and your relatives will be fine with their Australian passports and their I-94s.

Good luck getting the passport and enjoy your visit to Canada :-).

[NickD 202]

Yes,

he'll need a passport for international travel now (unless he has a NEXUS card or EDL). Since you can get one in about 3 hours (I got my passport in 170 minutes) from the passport agency in Buffalo, right around the corner from where you live, is it really worth going gagga over this?

http://travel.state....encies_913.html

When I first moved out into the sticks in Northern Wisconsin, met guys in their 90's that never left the township let alone the county. Not good for asking directions. Original poster is asking about her US citizen husband. Bet if you took a poll, average born in America citizen never even heard of a passport. Can say the same thing about many people I met in Chicago or Milwaukee, were born there and never left their city. Believe they were afraid to cross the city limit sign because lions and tigers are there to eat them up.

History channel had an interesting program on counterfeiting. Admitted individuals would have a lot of problems forging the US buck or passports, but easy for nations to do this. First the

Germans, than the Soviets, and now the Chinese are very good at doing this for sending bad guys into this country. Too bad Bush didn't watch this program, by forcing every American to have a passport to cross on the bridge over the Niagara Falls is not doing a damn thing to keep out the bad guys. But sure great for the DOS to clean up on fees. If you are super rich, can get any passport you so desire, but sure places a burden on the average American just to make an occasional trip. Another reason the super rich are super rich and the average American is super poor.

[Deb+Steve 13]

My husband thinks it's funny that he needs his passport to re-enter the US and I only need my GC.

[NickD 202]

My husband thinks it's funny that he needs his passport to re-enter the US and I only need my GC.

Correct me if I am wrong, but believe you also need your current valid foreign passport, wife needed that as well to reenter the USA. And that was at the Toronto Airport in Canada. Also with some foreign passports, may also require a visa to enter Canada.