Blessed to be expecting our first: Birth Abroad and Traveling questions

[CanadiaGirl 10]

Greetings Everyone,

My DH and I are blessed after 4 years of struggling and 4 losses to have a child, to be expecting our first child and baby girl by November. With that I've really been diving into what I'll need not only stateside for ID but also on the canadian side.

I'm looking to see if anyone can provide examples of their proof of citizenship that they filled out for their newborn. I'm a person who loves to see examples just to double check I'm doing it right, because I'd really rather not pay a lawyer. I find the application to be a bit confusing (sorry if I sound 'dumb') and was just wanting to see a mack of someone elses. More like how we see on here for the VJ forms.

Also since her birth will be in November we do plan to travel with her to canada Boxing day. I'm wondering if there will be any implications to this with regards to our application (I plan to have pretty much everything filled out besides the obvious unknown details and send out promptly after her birth. I'm aware it can take up to 9 months to process, so I'm just looking to see how this would impact us going to Canada for the holiday visit.

Thank you in advance for your time and responses! Any help is greatly appreciated.

[kayleighanddanny 7]

CRBA is SO easy! We did if for my son in the Dominican Republic, which is slower than a turtle at everything. From start to finish it took less than three months. Be prepared to prove you have lived 5 years consecutively since you were 14. Have some pictures of you, spouse, and baby taken at the hospital. Make a baby book, they may ask to see it.

I don't know about traveling because your baby may not have a passport in time for when you want to travel. You might have trouble getting in and out of Canada. I wouldn't risk it.

What have you gathered so far?

Finally, CONGRATULATIONS on your baby!!!

BTW, I grew up right by the Lewiston bridge, your P.O.E.

[CanadiaGirl 10]

CRBA is SO easy! We did if for my son in the Dominican Republic, which is slower than a turtle at everything. From start to finish it took less than three months. Be prepared to prove you have lived 5 years consecutively since you were 14. Have some pictures of you, spouse, and baby taken at the hospital. Make a baby book, they may ask to see it.

I don't know about traveling because your baby may not have a passport in time for when you want to travel. You might have trouble getting in and out of Canada. I wouldn't risk it.

What have you gathered so far?

Finally, CONGRATULATIONS on your baby!!!

BTW, I grew up right by the Lewiston bridge, your P.O.E.

Did you happen to save your form? I do find the wording of it awkward. meaning I'm not sure if the first section I fill out all of her details, then in the mother father section if I N/A things that aren't applicable to my husband being as he's not the canadian citizen.

Proving I was in canada since 14 shouldn't be an issue. Did you just provide photos? Or did you have to provide other documentation? I played mens hockey up till I was 18 and have a plaque with a photo for pretty much every year for my home town. Maybe that would help.

Many thanks for the info and the congrats. So far I've just gathered the application form and printed out what else I'd need in terms of photos for her etc. Did you use any site to help you? I know you said it was easy but I'm just looking for a bit more indepth process as to what you did than 'easy' lol. I'm a details person and I know as well as anyone you miss one thing and you're stuck in a waiting game.

I grew up near windsor but have traveled a lot to the Hamilton, Niagra falls area playing hockey. cross there all the time now lol.

She will have her US citizenship so I'm not sure how she's be prevented entrance to and from Canada. She'll have her passport filed for within weeks of her birth (provided we can get her SSN quickly as well). Much like how she'd travel if we weren't doing birth abroad?

Edited July 26, 2013 by CanadiaGirl

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

By "birth abroad" do you mean birth in the US? Are you trying to prove Canadian citizenship? It's unclear to me where the birth will be, and what you are trying to gather (as you want to prove you spent time in Canada?)

[VanessaTony 3,567]

CONGRATS!!

So you'll be giving birth in Canada? If so, there's a process called CRBA http://canada.usembassy.gov/consular_services/birth-abroad.html

Relatively simply process I'm told but the child WILL NOT be able to enter the US until the process is complete (she'll end up with a passport and SSN), so make sure you take that into account with your timeline. She technically should be able to enter as a Canadian citizen but as she has a claim to USC she's supposed to be like any other USC and enter and exit on her US passport. Happened to a friend of mine. She didn't know that was the case and got into a bit of trouble at the border for having her child enter the US on the VWP on an Aussie passport (I think she admitted she was taking her baby to meet his father or something like that)..

[CanadiaGirl 10]

CONGRATS!!

So you'll be giving birth in Canada? If so, there's a process called CRBA http://canada.usembassy.gov/consular_services/birth-abroad.html

Relatively simply process I'm told but the child WILL NOT be able to enter the US until the process is complete (she'll end up with a passport and SSN), so make sure you take that into account with your timeline. She technically should be able to enter as a Canadian citizen but as she has a claim to USC she's supposed to be like any other USC and enter and exit on her US passport. Happened to a friend of mine. She didn't know that was the case and got into a bit of trouble at the border for having her child enter the US on the VWP on an Aussie passport (I think she admitted she was taking her baby to meet his father or something like that)..

No we'll be giving birth here in the US and filing for birth abroad in Canada.

[CanadiaGirl 10]

By "birth abroad" do you mean birth in the US? Are you trying to prove Canadian citizenship? It's unclear to me where the birth will be, and what you are trying to gather (as you want to prove you spent time in Canada?)

Sorry can't edit my OP . We'll be giving birth to her here in the USA and be filing for her Canadian citizenship via the birth abroad process.

By proving time spent in Canada I was merely answering the Previous posters statement on proving that I've lived in canada under age of 14 for 5 years (my guess that alluded to proving canadian citizenship on my part for my daughter? I'm unclear)

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

A USC with a claim to Canadian citizenship can enter Canada on the US passport, unlike the reverse for the US, I have been told. So I don't think you'll have problems going to Canada for Boxing day.

And yes, congrats!

Edit: the first poster also thought you were talking about birth outside of the US and a CRBA for the US, so that was about the US rules.

Edited July 26, 2013 by Harpa Timsah

[VeeNDee 44]

I read this question a bit differently - it seems to me the poster is living in the USA and wants to visit Canada.

From what I can gather (I'm due in October myself), a child can enter Canada on a land crossing with just a birth certificate and you don't need a passport until later. Not sure on the exact age, but it's in the teens at any rate. HOWEVER if you are flying into Canada you will need a passport of some sort. Thankfully that doesn't apply to me.

As far as registering the Canadian birth, it does seem a bit complicated to me too. Don't worry about seeming dumb, we are here to help and if it makes you feel any better I feel pretty dumb about it too. I've read the Canadian Government websites for the form and one thing I saw we'd need was picture ID... at least one if not two. People have suggested using the US passport as one form of picture ID and I'm not sure on the other form of ID for the child. Still trying to figure that out. However it seems much slower to get the Canadian proof of citizenship than the other way around for US which seems faster.

[newacct 688]

Sorry can't edit my OP . We'll be giving birth to her here in the USA and be filing for her Canadian citizenship via the birth abroad process.

By proving time spent in Canada I was merely answering the Previous posters statement on proving that I've lived in canada under age of 14 for 5 years (my guess that alluded to proving canadian citizenship on my part for my daughter? I'm unclear)

There is no "CRBA" for Canada. The process is to apply for a Certificate of Canadian Citizenship. This takes "12 to 15 months". And only after you get that can you apply for a Canadian passport.

If one of the parents were born or naturalized in Canada, the baby is a Canadian citizen without any other considerations (no "time spent", etc. like in the U.S.). On the other hand, if the Canadian citizen parent(s) were not born or naturalized in Canada (e.g. if they were born abroad and got citizenship through their parents), and they were not in the service of the Canadain government when the baby was born, then the child is NOT a Canadian citizen, and you need to apply for him/her to immigrate to Canada (whic is not too hard) if you intend for him/her to live there. You can take the test (from the perspective of the child) if you are unsure whether the child is born a Canadian citizen.

The application for Certificate of Canadian Citizenship will require two pieces of identification for the child, one of which has a photo. I used the U.S. passport and the Social Security card. Make sure to send notarized copies instead of the originals, because you will not get them back for a year.

A USC with a claim to Canadian citizenship can enter Canada on the US passport, unlike the reverse for the US, I have been told. So I don't think you'll have problems going to Canada for Boxing day.

And yes, congrats!

Edit: the first poster also thought you were talking about birth outside of the US and a CRBA for the US, so that was about the US rules.

Yes, and in fact, the Canadian consulate web page recommends this.

Q. I recently had a baby in the US and I would like to apply for his/her Canadian passport. We are travelling soon and he/she needs a passport. How do I do that?

A. First, you need to apply for the child’s proof of Canadian citizenship by sumitting a citizenship application for your child. Please refer to the Citizenship FAQs for how to apply for it. Only after your child receives his/her proof of citizenship can you apply for his/her Canadian passport. If your child was born in the US you can apply for his/her US passport in order to satisfy your immediate travel requirements as the application process can take many months.

[CanadiaGirl 10]

I read this question a bit differently - it seems to me the poster is living in the USA and wants to visit Canada.

From what I can gather (I'm due in October myself), a child can enter Canada on a land crossing with just a birth certificate and you don't need a passport until later. Not sure on the exact age, but it's in the teens at any rate. HOWEVER if you are flying into Canada you will need a passport of some sort. Thankfully that doesn't apply to me.

As far as registering the Canadian birth, it does seem a bit complicated to me too. Don't worry about seeming dumb, we are here to help and if it makes you feel any better I feel pretty dumb about it too. I've read the Canadian Government websites for the form and one thing I saw we'd need was picture ID... at least one if not two. People have suggested using the US passport as one form of picture ID and I'm not sure on the other form of ID for the child. Still trying to figure that out. However it seems much slower to get the Canadian proof of citizenship than the other way around for US which seems faster.

Goodness this helps so much, Thank you! Especially to hear that you are also finding the forms confusing. Not that I like the confusion bit it's a tad good to know I'm not the only one confused by the forms themselves.

Also about the crossing with a Birth cirtificate I will do further research but if that's the case I could hug you through the screen right now lol. We will be traveling via car.

Congrats to you with your Little one on the way.

[CanadiaGirl 10]

There is no "CRBA" for Canada. The process is to apply for a Certificate of Canadian Citizenship. This takes "12 to 15 months". And only after you get that can you apply for a Canadian passport.

If one of the parents were born or naturalized in Canada, the baby is a Canadian citizen without any other considerations (no "time spent", etc. like in the U.S.). On the other hand, if the Canadian citizen parent(s) were not born or naturalized in Canada (e.g. if they were born abroad and got citizenship through their parents), and they were not in the service of the Canadain government when the baby was born, then the child is NOT a Canadian citizen, and you need to apply for him/her to immigrate to Canada (whic is not too hard) if you intend for him/her to live there. You can take the test (from the perspective of the child) if you are unsure whether the child is born a Canadian citizen.

The application for Certificate of Canadian Citizenship will require two pieces of identification for the child, one of which has a photo. I used the U.S. passport and the Social Security card. Make sure to send notarized copies instead of the originals, because you will not get them back for a year.

Yes, and in fact, the Canadian consulate web page recommends this.

The CRBA wasn't suggested by me just an FYI. I'm the Canadian Citizen born and raised so non of that i really have to worry about.

Thank you so much for your response. I will be sure to take your advice about the notarized copies of her ID, many thanks as I wouldn't have thought about that!

[VeeNDee 44]

As far as returning to the USA:

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/whti-ivho/child-enfant-eng.html

Driving into the United States: If you have not yet received a birth certificate for a U.S. or Canadian citizen infant, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will accept either the birth record issued by the hospital, a letter on hospital letterhead or a letter from the doctor who delivered the child providing details of the birth, including the name of the child, time and place of birth, and parents names. Birth certificates should be used for children over 1 year old.

Driving into Canada:

http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/travel-voyage/ifvc-rpvc-eng.html

If you are a U.S. citizen, ensure you carry proof of citizenship such as a passport, birth certificate, a certificate of citizenship or naturalization, a U.S. Permanent Resident Card, or a Certificate of Indian Status along with photo identification.

http://gocanada.about.com/od/canadatravelplanner/qt/kids_passport.htm

Bottom Line: U.S. and Canadian citizens ages 15 or younger with parental consent will be allowed to cross the borders at land and sea entry points with certified copies of their birth certificates rather than passports.

It will be both of you travelling together correct? If not you will need to carry a letter of consent from one or the other saying you have permission to leave the country with the child.

[CanadiaGirl 10]

As far as returning to the USA:

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/whti-ivho/child-enfant-eng.html

Driving into Canada:

http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/travel-voyage/ifvc-rpvc-eng.html

http://gocanada.about.com/od/canadatravelplanner/qt/kids_passport.htm

It will be both of you travelling together correct? If not you will need to carry a letter of consent from one or the other saying you have permission to leave the country with the child.

Yes, both of us will be traveling. Thank you so much for that info. I've been plunking things into Word and will be printing it out soon to keep with all the other info and forms I've gathered. You've been a great help!