What to get for US Citizen minor/son to travel to Canada?

[antda 13]

Hi Everyone,

I'll be travelling to Canada (by land) again, and I was thinking again of the following options for my US Citizen son (who is currently 7 months old)....

-US Birth Certificate (Extra Certified Copy):

Pros: Acceptable border crossing document for a minor. I have crossed the border before with this (the original copy) for him with no problems.

Cons: Being damaged, lost, etc. Not practical for frequent border trips. Not wallet-sized. Had problems with the original being sent to the wrong address.

Costs and time: $30-40 for extra certified copy. No expiry time limit. 2-3 weeks wait.

-NYS Enhanced Driver's License/ID Card:

Pros: My husband and I currently have EDLs and have travelled with this with no problems.

Easy to get...just go to the local DMV. Wallet sized. Photos done instantly and not too picky specs.

Cons: Might not be acceptable for minors (acceptable by the DMV...not sure about the border crossings...).

Costs: $45. 5 years. 1-2 weeks wait.

-NEXUS Card:

Pros: Acceptable border crossing document for a minor. Can cross in the 'fast lane' (if me and and my husband get one too). Wallet sized.

Cons: Interview, questioning, background check. Additional photos needed?

Costs: $50. 5 years. ?? weeks wait (anyone knows how long it takes?)

Questions: How long does it take to get one? What happens during an interview? Is one's "country of birth/place of birth" listed on it? What happens for citizens of both countries..which country do they list for citizenship...both...one or other? (lol...maybe I might apply for one too..)

-US Passport:

Pros: Acceptable border crossing document for a minor. Wallet sized card option available.

Cons: Have to send in original birth certificate by USPS. Additonal photos needed (lol..hard to photograph a baby in passport-perfect specs...).

I have my own issues in not wanting to deal with the DHS...(but that's another story, not related to my son...)...

Costs: $45 (passport card only). 5 years (for minors). 4-6 weeks wait (normal service).

So I ask all of you...Which option should I choose for my son? I currently travel with him with the original birth certificate...But I think I need more than that, especially more so that our family travels frequently (about 1-2 trips every 1-4 months) accross the border.....

Any thoughts, ideas, suggestions, etc. would be helpful. Thanks.

Ant

Edited February 26, 2010 by Ant+D+BabyA

[lilacvioletiris 11]

-NEXUS Card:

Pros: Acceptable border crossing document for a minor. Can cross in the 'fast lane' (if me and and my husband get one too). Wallet sized.

Cons: Interview, questioning, background check. Additional photos needed?

Costs: $50. 5 years. ?? weeks wait (anyone knows how long it takes?)

Questions: How long does it take to get one? What happens during an interview? Is one's "country of birth/place of birth" listed on it? What happens for citizens of both countries..which country do they list for citizenship...both...one or other? (lol...maybe I might apply for one too..)

Ant

I don't know about a minor child (seems like I had to have a passport in order to get a NEXUS card but there may have been other acceptable proof of identity pieces) but when I went for my NEXUS interview, it took all of 45 minutes (I think I had to wait about 10 days to get into the location I wanted to interview at) and I had my card back within 7 calendar days. Going across the border, especially into Canada where all the border guard does is look at the card, look at his computer screen, and then wave at me (no more detailed conversation) to keep on going. They can stop to talk to you/check your luggage. I had mine searched on the way BACK INTO the U.S. and they found a plastic bag with a allergy pill I was "travelling light" with. Thankfully I had a bottle of the medication in my purse and I didn't get pulled into secondary inspection. All in all, I LOVE my NEXUS card. Totally worth the faster trip into CANADA and the reserved lane on the Blue Water bridge back into the U.S. All depends on your point of entry though. I went through Detroit Windsor and there wouldn't have been much help in getting to the NEXUS lane faster than the other car lanes, but it would reduce the interviewing at the border booth.

[antda 13]

I don't know about a minor child (seems like I had to have a passport in order to get a NEXUS card but there may have been other acceptable proof of identity pieces) but when I went for my NEXUS interview, it took all of 45 minutes (I think I had to wait about 10 days to get into the location I wanted to interview at) and I had my card back within 7 calendar days. Going across the border, especially into Canada where all the border guard does is look at the card, look at his computer screen, and then wave at me (no more detailed conversation) to keep on going. They can stop to talk to you/check your luggage. I had mine searched on the way BACK INTO the U.S. and they found a plastic bag with a allergy pill I was "travelling light" with. Thankfully I had a bottle of the medication in my purse and I didn't get pulled into secondary inspection. All in all, I LOVE my NEXUS card. Totally worth the faster trip into CANADA and the reserved lane on the Blue Water bridge back into the U.S. All depends on your point of entry though. I went through Detroit Windsor and there wouldn't have been much help in getting to the NEXUS lane faster than the other car lanes, but it would reduce the interviewing at the border booth.

Lilavioletiris-Thanks for your helpful reply. That was quick that you got your NEXUS card, and the interview seemed not that bad at all. What types of questions did they ask during your interview? And yes, it is good to get through the border quickly, with no further questions. Definitely a plus for getting a NEXUS card. Sorry though that you had trouble with your allergy pills. Hope that doesn't happen to you again. As for my point of entry, it's by land..(either the Peace Bridge, Queenston/Lewiston Bridge, or Rainbow Bridge). And yes, the lineups can get pretty long there at times (lol..especiallly during holidays). So I might consider a NEXUS later for me and my family. One more question though: Is one's "country of birth/place of birth" listed on the actual card itself? Happy travelling...Glad to see you love your nexus card! Looks like it was worth it for you, indeed!

Ant

[Wyatt's Torch 45]

Just to chip in about the NEXUS card...

Yes, I love it too. So cheap and so convenient! I remember the first time I used it was on Good Friday last year, as I recall, when I was driving down to Sea-Tac airport from Vancouver...and even though I gave myself a LOT of time to get there (I left at 5:30 AM for a 10:30 AM flight...the drive is usually about 2.5 hours), I nearly freaked out when I saw how long the wait was at the border -- TWO HOURS. I was SO nervous, since I hadn't used my card yet...but I got to whip by all the cars through the NEXUS lane, and wound up waiting less than a minute to get across the border. The guard just said, "Have a nice day" and waved me through. That right there was worth $50!

Honestly though, since I'm sure you do / will go across to Canada several times a year, it is more than worth it. And yes, it's a cheap and convenient way for Baby D to have ID as well.

There is a fairly rigorous security check, I believe...but most folks have nothing to worry about with that, I'm sure.