Nexus application process questions

[VeeNDee 44]

So I've been trying to look up some answers to my questions about applying for Nexus, but none of the CBSA websites answer my questions, and calling gets me either an automated information reply (also not helpful), or being put on hold for half an hour with no end in sight. So I thought maybe some of you would know!!

1) Due to my immigration situation, do I have to apply as a Canadian Citizen, a US permanent resident, or both? Do I fill out both sections of the form? (AKA in some areas it says if you are a Canadian citizen don't fill it out, but then asks for information on the permanent resident status).

2) I'm planning to apply for Nexus after our baby is born in October to do it all at once. From what I can tell, you have to apply for each person (myself, my husband, our child) separately and can't do a family type application. If this is the case and I'd require 3 separate GOES accounts to process the application, how do you schedule the interviews to be at the same time? Is there an option I am unaware of to file the applications together or have them grouped somehow? I'd like to save us a several hours one way minimum trip to the processing center 3 times!

3) Section B on the paper applications I was looking at says to list the last 5 years of addresses. It also says proof of these addresses may be required at the interview. Any idea what constitutes proof of residence? Letters to us at that address? I have a feeling my husband hasn't kept any snail mail from where he lived 5 years ago!!! What would you recommend?

Thanks in advance for any tips You folks are always super helpful!

[SarahBear 4]

Congratulations on your baby!!

It's been a while since I looked at the NEXUS application but if I were you I would fill it out as a Canadian citizen and put in the information on your US permanent residency where it asks for it. They'll figure it out.

Yes you need to have separate applications/GOES accts for each person who applies, but you will probably be able to schedule your interview times all at once. When your paperwork finishes processing you'll get an e-mail from GOES, and that will let you choose your interview time based on the available time slots. Just make sure you wait until everyone's paperwork processed and you can go online to make your appointments. Then pick ones back to back of each other and you should have no problem. It probably won't take the whole appointment time allocated anyway. I remember when I went for my interview a family of 4 came in right after me to get their interviews all done at the same time. I think that's pretty common for families to do that.

For proof of residence, I brought bills and copies of my prior years of tax returns with my old addresses written on them and I had no problem. Do you have access to your old tax returns, or perhaps you have old W-2 statements from the past several years saved somewhere? These usually have your home address printed on them too.

Good luck and hope that helps!

[VeeNDee 44]

Congratulations on your baby!!

It's been a while since I looked at the NEXUS application but if I were you I would fill it out as a Canadian citizen and put in the information on your US permanent residency where it asks for it. They'll figure it out.

Yes you need to have separate applications/GOES accts for each person who applies, but you will probably be able to schedule your interview times all at once. When your paperwork finishes processing you'll get an e-mail from GOES, and that will let you choose your interview time based on the available time slots. Just make sure you wait until everyone's paperwork processed and you can go online to make your appointments. Then pick ones back to back of each other and you should have no problem. It probably won't take the whole appointment time allocated anyway. I remember when I went for my interview a family of 4 came in right after me to get their interviews all done at the same time. I think that's pretty common for families to do that.

For proof of residence, I brought bills and copies of my prior years of tax returns with my old addresses written on them and I had no problem. Do you have access to your old tax returns, or perhaps you have old W-2 statements from the past several years saved somewhere? These usually have your home address printed on them too.

Good luck and hope that helps!

Oh thanks that information is super helpful!! I guess I'll just fill everything out then-- too much information being better than none. Hopefully that doesn't cause the computer system to have a meltdown hehe.

Seems so weird that I have to create a separate account for GOES for an infant, but oh well. Just will have to make sure to write down all 3 of the login informations. I wonder if it will take longer to process one of the three based on citizenship etc. Hopefully they would all be done at the same time.

The tax returns are a great idea - we both have our tax returns from the last bazillion years in a pile somewhere that I could look up and take along. Thanks!

Speaking of citizenship one last question - our baby will be born in the US aka a US citizen - but also born to me, a Canadian citizen so a Canadian citizen. How much proof of either do I need to apply for their NEXUS cards? Do I just apply for them as a US citizen and add the CDN citizenship later when I have more proof of it from the CDN government? (I heard that process takes awhile!)

[SarahBear 4]

Oh thanks that information is super helpful!! I guess I'll just fill everything out then-- too much information being better than none. Hopefully that doesn't cause the computer system to have a meltdown hehe.

Seems so weird that I have to create a separate account for GOES for an infant, but oh well. Just will have to make sure to write down all 3 of the login informations. I wonder if it will take longer to process one of the three based on citizenship etc. Hopefully they would all be done at the same time.

The tax returns are a great idea - we both have our tax returns from the last bazillion years in a pile somewhere that I could look up and take along. Thanks!

Speaking of citizenship one last question - our baby will be born in the US aka a US citizen - but also born to me, a Canadian citizen so a Canadian citizen. How much proof of either do I need to apply for their NEXUS cards? Do I just apply for them as a US citizen and add the CDN citizenship later when I have more proof of it from the CDN government? (I heard that process takes awhile!)

It is odd to have to make a new acct for a baby, I agree. We did that for our son when he was a few days old and will be doing it again this November after the birth of our daughter. Can't wait to hold my new baby and I'm sure you're in the same boat as me!

For our son (dual US/Can citizen) I brought his Ontario birth certificate and his US Certificate of Birth Abroad to prove dual citizenship. For some reason it took a really long time for his paperwork to process and to book an interview for him so by the time we got the interview I had the certificate from the US consulate. I suspect the long interview wait was just because a lot of people were applying for NEXUS at that time.

I am honestly not sure what exactly the lady processed on his application when we took him in for the interview so I'm not sure if he is listed as a dual citizen or not. Either way we've had no problems bringing him back and forth across the border on both sides. If you don't have the official paperwork back yet to prove dual citizenship for the baby I'd just bring along the birth certificate and maybe some copies of the paperwork you submitted to Canada for citizenship. You should be fine. Good luck!