What do I need to enter Canada....... (Buffalo, Rochester: travel, medical)

[complexsimplicity]

Hello upstaters, I am from Ohio and will be making a trip to Niagra Falls in a couple of weeks. I was wondering what type of Identification I would need to get into Canada, do I need a birth certificate or would my driver's license be good enough?

Also, is there a long wait to cross the border and does customs or whoever is in charge give you a hard time? Its been a while since I went to Niagra Falls, but I was on a bus trip though so I didn't have to worry about anything then.

Thanks in advance for your help!

[garmin239]

technically you need a birth certificate but I've been going for years and have never been asked for one. The wait depends on what time of day you go. If I go, I'll travel up between the hours of 4-6pm and the line is not too bad to get in. Customs can sometimes give you a hard time. I've been searched and question a couple of times. Make sure nobody you are with has any felonies(including dwi), you'll get denied.

[vter]

Getting into Canada is not so much the problem...coming back to the US is. If you have a copy of your birth certificate bring it. If all you have is your passport, you may have to spend some time at customs. We have passports which make it much, much easier.

[complexsimplicity]

Make sure nobody you are with has any felonies(including dwi), you'll get denied.

Wow, seriously! It does make sense though.

I will make sure everyone has their birth certificates with them. I know that you'll need passport to enter Canada effective January of '08 so I'm trying to hurry up and visit before the weather gets bad. I will get a passport somewhere down the line, they are kind of expensive though, $100 I think.

[BuffaloTransplant]

Currently, if you are driving, a birth certificate and PHOTO drivers license ( or State ID, if you don't have one) will do until ( supposedly / without any more extensions) Jan. 1st. Flying, you need a passport now.

Went to Michigan thru Canada this summer and was checked twice by Canadians and twice by US. After living across the border and doing this for 40 years, it was weird.
My friend's daughter takes her marriage license w/her; I never have, but if you are female, and one ID has no birth date, it is a good idea.

They want originals of you documents, not copies.

The Canadians are easier to deal w/than the US guards. Don't make any jokes.... be really polite... cross when it isn't busy. Makes life easier. Remember, they get jerks every day and have no tolerance for it.

[complexsimplicity]

They want originals of you documents, not copies.

The Canadians are easier to deal w/than the US guards. Don't make any jokes.... be really polite... cross when it isn't busy. Makes life easier. Remember, they get jerks every day and have no tolerance for it.

I will go downtown and get an original before I leave because all I have is a copy, darn. I can understand them not having tolerance for jerks, I've came across the same type of people at the turnpikes and I bet they are worse at the border.

[BuffaloTransplant]

It's always better safe than sorry at the border. I never had a passport, only I am seriously thinking of getting one. We travel basically in the US, only now that won't be acceptable w/out a Pasport to drive across Canada to get to another state... like even to Alaska, if you are going there!

What I worry about more than the border is the fact licenses will be totally a joke here soon --re: the insane goings on of Gov. Spitzer:re:: NY Drivers Licenses.. allowing people on visas to not have the "temporary" stamped on the license now, and it's going to be illegals after licenses - he is delusional thinking it will make the roads safer. HA! More like they get to "check the box" to register to vote! Hopefully, the Legislature will slap this down; if not, the county clerks who give out the licenses: it violates Federal Law to give non-citizens here illegally a driver's license w/out a SSN#.

[Dee62]

Quote:
Make sure nobody you are with has any felonies(including dwi), you'll get denied.

Not all the time! Guards on the Rainbow Bridge in Niagra Falls do not always check because they know you are just walking across for a few Hours. Although They do check if you coming in by Vehicle or plan to stay overnight with luggage. Also if you have a Local address in Buffalo or the Falls sometimes the Board Guards on both sides are less strict towards you.

If anybody is at risk you go to the Canadian Consulate in downtown Buffalo and ask for permission! Especially if they have a valid US passport! The Consulate can issue them a document granting temporary permission to visit Canada.

It's always better safe than sorry at the border. I never had a passport, only I am seriously thinking of getting one.

Even if you have a valid Passport you can still be denied entry into Canada! Thats because the Passport number gives the Guards direct access to government databases and everything else about you that a birth certicate and Drivers license will not give them! My advise to you is don't go around saying

I never had a passport, only I am seriously thinking of getting one.

that one!!

[BuffaloTransplant]

Another thing I thought of: A friend was stopped for 3 hours for questioning. (She is a frequent crosser/she never expected this) Her car was searched extensively. Finally the Border Patrol guy asked if she had had recent medical tests -- yep, she had had an MRI two weeks before. Up to several weeks later, those radioactive dyes used in tests can set off the sensors.... if this is the case for anyone, take a letter from the MD stating what it was and when.

[karen824]

Sorry, I am a little confused...if my family and I (we live in Rochester) decide to take a trip up to Canada, and we all bring our passports (we all have them, including the kids), do we need to bring birth certificates too? That would seem like overkill to me, but these days, who knows?
Also, coming from Rochester, is there a less-busy place to cross the border to Canada, that wouldn't be too far out of the way? We'd probably be going to London, Ontario.
Thanks!