Getting ready for my first visit back to Canada!

[Penny Lane 8,159]

Hi all, hope everyone is doing well.

I am fiiiiiinally going back to Canada next month for the first time since I moved here in September of 2011. I'm super excited and I just want to make sure I don't forget anything regarding paperwork.

We'll be driving through Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. We'll obviously be bringing our passports as well as my green card. My dog and my cat will also be with us, and I have rabies certificates for both.

Will anything else be needed? My married name isn't on my Canadian passport, so should I bring a copy of my marriage certificate as well? Is a green card all I'll need to get back into the US?

Thanks in advance!

[Póg mo 1,749]

Hi all, hope everyone is doing well.

I am fiiiiiinally going back to Canada next month for the first time since I moved here in September of 2011. I'm super excited and I just want to make sure I don't forget anything regarding paperwork.

We'll be driving through Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. We'll obviously be bringing our passports as well as my green card. My dog and my cat will also be with us, and I have rabies certificates for both.

Will anything else be needed? My married name isn't on my Canadian passport, so should I bring a copy of my marriage certificate as well? Is a green card all I'll need to get back into the US?

Thanks in advance!

You'll be fine. I have crossed the US/Canadian border a couple of times now and had no issues going either way. Just make sure your rabies certificates etc are acceptable to Canadian customs before you leave! I don't know about Canada, but Euro countries all require pets to have a particular kind of identification microchip.

[nickbits 43]

You'll be fine and I wouldn't bother carrying your marriage cert.

Edited November 12, 2012 by nickbits

[Penny Lane 8,159]

You'll be fine and I wouldn't bother carrying your marriage cert.

Ok - it won't matter that my name on my passport and green card don't match?

You'll be fine. I have crossed the US/Canadian border a couple of times now and had no issues going either way. Just make sure your rabies certificates etc are acceptable to Canadian customs before you leave! I don't know about Canada, but Euro countries all require pets to have a particular kind of identification microchip.

When I moved my dog to the US from Canada, a rabies certificate is all I brought and nobody ever asked about it. I'm assuming visiting works the same way, but I guess we'll see!

[Flames9_RN 358]

Ok - it won't matter that my name on my passport and green card don't match?

When I moved my dog to the US from Canada, a rabies certificate is all I brought and nobody ever asked about it. I'm assuming visiting works the same way, but I guess we'll see!

When I drove from DC to Saskatoon last year with my dog--they didnt ask anything about her (I had her rabies cert with me) I think they actually gave her a dog biscuit when I know think of it!!

And I believe others have traveled with their marriage cert when your name does not match the passport

[Veronik 19]

When I drove from DC to Saskatoon last year with my dog--they didnt ask anything about her (I had her rabies cert with me) I think they actually gave her a dog biscuit when I know think of it!!

And I believe others have traveled with their marriage cert when your name does not match the passport

I just renewed my passport with my married name on it, now matching my green card, and before that I always brought my marriage certificate just in case. Better safe than sorry!

[Penny Lane 8,159]

I just renewed my passport with my married name on it, now matching my green card, and before that I always brought my marriage certificate just in case. Better safe than sorry!

Will do - thank you

[Marilyn. 340]

I have driven over the border a few times since moving and I have only showed my green card going into Canada and coming back in the US and they didn't ask to see anything else..

[Hugglebuggles 60]

I would definitely bring a copy of your marriage cert just to be safe. I always have mine but I've never been asked for it.

Your GC should be all you need to get back to the US. Once I was asked for my passport as well. Canada sometimes asks to see my GC as well, for whatever reason.

Have a great time!

Edited November 12, 2012 by Hugglebuggles

[Udella&Wiz 325]

I would definitely bring a copy of your marriage cert just to be safe. I always have mine but I've never been asked for it.

Your GC should be all you need to get back to the US. Once I was asked for my passport as well. Canada sometimes asks to see my GC as well, for whatever reason.

Have a great time!

I agree, I'd bring my marriage cert just to be safe. Last year I was asked about my US status and had to provide my GC on the way INTO Canada so have both handy just in case both ways.

[canada_socks 97]

I am in Canada right now! I am lucky enough to have been able to have a few trips back and forth already (this trip not so lucky, as it was for a funeral ). I always bring a copy of my marriage certificate just in case. I have never been asked for it, but as Vero and Chris said, better to be safe than sorry! When I crossed the other day into Canada they just wanted my passport. Last time they wanted that and my green card. I just keep them both out and ready just in case.

Have a great time in Canada!

Edited November 13, 2012 by sherrybaby

[Teddy B 17,252]

Hi all, hope everyone is doing well.

I am fiiiiiinally going back to Canada next month for the first time since I moved here in September of 2011. I'm super excited and I just want to make sure I don't forget anything regarding paperwork.

We'll be driving through Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. We'll obviously be bringing our passports as well as my green card. My dog and my cat will also be with us, and I have rabies certificates for both.

Will anything else be needed? My married name isn't on my Canadian passport, so should I bring a copy of my marriage certificate as well? Is a green card all I'll need to get back into the US?

Thanks in advance!

Hi Evylin,

My wife and I went to Canada for the first time since getting her greencard last April. She was in the same boat as you with the name on her GC not matching the passport. We gave both her passport and GC at both border crossings, going to Canada and coming back to the states, everything went fine, no issues at all.

Enjoy your trip!

[The Mean Lady 604]

Always bring your marriage certificate and a certified one too if you can.

I ordered 5 of them after we got married so I keep them in various places including my glove compartment.

There's no reason NOT to bring it, even if they don't ask you or others for it.

What if you just happen to be the person whose doesn't match on that CBP officer's bad day?

No microchips needed, just the rabies certificate for the pets (unless they've changed something in the past year).

Also bring some ties just in case (not so much for yourself, but you're spouse if you're traveling together).

Edited November 13, 2012 by KDubovik

[Penny Lane 8,159]

Always bring your marriage certificate and a certified one too if you can.

I ordered 5 of them after we got married so I keep them in various places including my glove compartment.

There's no reason NOT to bring it, even if they don't ask you or others for it.

What if you just happen to be the person whose doesn't match on that CBP officer's bad day?

No microchips needed, just the rabies certificate for the pets (unless they've changed something in the past year).

Also bring some ties just in case (not so much for yourself, but you're spouse if you're traveling together).

We will be traveling together! Thanks, we'll bring a bit of evidence of our jobs just in case.

We do have a certified copy of our marriage certificate. We asked for three or four when we got married.

Hi Evylin,

My wife and I went to Canada for the first time since getting her greencard last April. She was in the same boat as you with the name on her GC not matching the passport. We gave both her passport and GC at both border crossings, going to Canada and coming back to the states, everything went fine, no issues at all.

Enjoy your trip!

Thanks, Teddy

[The Mean Lady 604]

We will be traveling together! Thanks, we'll bring a bit of evidence of our jobs just in case.

We do have a certified copy of our marriage certificate. We asked for three or four when we got married.

I ordered so many because there were lots of places that needed them to change my name that wouldn't return them (like when I renewed my passport) and so far everyone has sent them back! lol so I think I will never run out