Question about Canadian going to Canada from the US

[FOSSLGRL 63]

Here's my situation. I am Canadian and my passport has expired. You don't need my life story but we had some hardships and I haven't had the money to renew it until now, which is why I didn't do it sooner.

 

The problem is I am going to Canada for Christmas and I don't know if it would arrive on time, plus I would still have to mail my paperwork to my guarantor to sign.

 

Am I able to cross into Canada by land without my passport? I know I'll need it coming back, and I plan to get it once I am up there since I'll be seeing my guarantor anyways during this trip.

 

What ID/documents will I need?

 

Edited November 19, 2018 by FOSSLGRL

[debbiedoo 2,339]

you must have a passport.

 

you can have it expedited and have it in time for xmas

 

edited:

 

okay, youre a CA citizen. no, i dont think it needs to be valid for you to enter since youre a citizen. double check that, though. definitely would to come back to US though.

Edited November 19, 2018 by debbiedoo

[FOSSLGRL 63]

Just now, debbiedoo said:

you must have a passport.

 

you can have it expedited and have it in time for xmas

I called the consulate and they said they can't help me with expediting because I haven't booked my trip yet. She also said that I only need the passport if I am going by boat or airplane, and that it isn't needed by land. But I wanted to double check here in case I was misinformed...

[debbiedoo 2,339]

1 minute ago, FOSSLGRL said:

I called the consulate and they said they can't help me with expediting because I haven't booked my trip yet. She also said that I only need the passport if I am going by boat or airplane, and that it isn't needed by land. But I wanted to double check here in case I was misinformed...

personally i wouldnt try any kind of international travel without a valid passport.

 

i swear i saw something ages ago about a k1 person who had come here, and was divorcing and was going back home (plane) who was told the passport didnt need to be valid (hers was expired) to go back to her home country.

 

never sounded right to me, but.... i dont know.

[FOSSLGRL 63]

Just now, debbiedoo said:

personally i wouldnt try any kind of international travel without a valid passport.

 

i swear i saw something ages ago about a k1 person who had come here, and was divorcing and was going back home (plane) who was told the passport didnt need to be valid (hers was expired) to go back to her home country.

 

never sounded right to me, but.... i dont know. 

It definitely makes me uncomfortable.

[geowrian 22,337]

If flying, you need a valid, unexpired passport to be boarded (or other valid travel document).

If crossing by land, they can't deny you as a citizen so long as you have evidence of your citizenship.

[Cryssiekins 976]

I cross back into Canada by land, and I only need to provide my birth certificate with my green card.  Birth certificate to prove I’m a Canadian citizen and green card for a photo/name match.

 

Coming back into the US, I only ever have to hand them my green card.  I always have my Canadian passport but they never ask for it (I’m not a US citizen yet). 

 

Again, this is a land crossing at Buffalo, NY and Fort Erie, ON.  I assume if taking a plane you need a valid passport. 

 

Also of note, my husband didn’t have a passport for a while and we were able to go into Canada with his US birth certificate and State ID, and were re-admitted to the US with the same.  

 

I likely wouldnt risk it if we lived lived more than the 10 minutes from the border than we do. 

[FOSSLGRL 63]

4 minutes ago, geowrian said:

If flying, you need a valid, unexpired passport to be boarded (or other valid travel document).

If crossing by land, they can't deny you as a citizen so long as you have evidence of your citizenship.

This might be a stupid question, but does crossing by train count as "by land"?

[geowrian 22,337]

Just now, FOSSLGRL said:

This might be a stupid question, but does crossing by train count as "by land"?

Never thought about it (trains aren't common in my area), sorry. I don't have an answer.

[FOSSLGRL 63]

3 minutes ago, Cryssiekins said:

I cross back into Canada by land, and I only need to provide my birth certificate with my green card.  Birth certificate to prove I’m a Canadian citizen and green card for a photo/name match.

 

Coming back into the US, I only ever have to hand them my green card.  I always have my Canadian passport but they never ask for it (I’m not a US citizen yet). 

 

Again, this is a land crossing at Buffalo, NY and Fort Erie, ON.  I assume if taking a plane you need a valid passport. 

 

Also of note, my husband didn’t have a passport for a while and we were able to go into Canada with his US birth certificate and State ID, and were re-admitted to the US with the same.  

 

I likely wouldnt risk it if we lived lived more than the 10 minutes from the border than we do. 

Is your last name the same on your birth certificate and GC?

 

I also don't have my GC yet. But I do have a valid Canadian drivers license, among other forms of ID, with my maiden name to match my birth certificate. And of course I will bring my marriage certificate as backup.

 

What I'm reading online is that Canada will typically let you in as long as you can prove your citizenship and that you are who you say you are, but they may scrutinize the hell out of you. (I'm ok with that, wouldn't be the first time) 😂

 

We're going to be traveling on Christmas day. Hopefully they'll be in the spirit and let me through. I have no other choice. My passport most likely wouldn't get to me in time anyways, so I guess I have nothing to lose.

[FOSSLGRL 63]

Or I can just book the damn train now and then the consulate can issue some kind of entry document. Maybe I'll do that just to play it safe.

[debbiedoo 2,339]

of note (for any too young to remember) prior to 9/11, a passport was not required to go between canada and the US.

[FOSSLGRL 63]

damn terrorists messing up my vacation.

 

In all seriousness, RIP to the 911 victims.

[TM92 527]

23 minutes ago, FOSSLGRL said:

I also don't have my GC yet.

Was your EAD/AP card issued for 2 years? Or you renewed it?

[Umka36 781]

42 minutes ago, FOSSLGRL said:

This might be a stupid question, but does crossing by train count as "by land"?

https://www.amtrak.com/crossing-the-us-canadian-border