Crossing US Border by Car

[themack89]

I have expired passport (didn't even think about this until now).

Is there any other documentation I could obtain by the 19th of Dec that would allow me to cross border?

Thanks

[gqboy322]

No!!!

[lasimmon]

Best bet is to go to the passport office tomorrow and get a 24 hour rush...

Edit: yahhh its friday today..

[Tik-Tok]

You don't technically need a passport when driving, birth cert. And drivers license SHOULD suffice. That being said, the US border guys can still deny you if they want.

[Kloubek]

I'm pretty sure they ask for a passport these days, since the homeland security crackdown...

[Cos]

Originally posted by Tik-Tok
You don't technically need a passport when driving, birth cert. And drivers license SHOULD suffice. That being said, the US border guys can still deny you if they want.

No it used to be like that 4 or 5 years ago but that has changed.

Yeah only option is to get the 24 hour rush but not sure if that means Monday -> Wednesday.

[Tram Common]

Originally posted by Cos


No it used to be like that 4 or 5 years ago but that has changed.

Yeah only option is to get the 24 hour rush but not sure if that means Monday -> Wednesday.

Bullshit, bullshit, bullshit. Please don't provide information unless you're certain about it.

I've crossed the border by vehicle probably thirty times in the past month with friends and family.

You are absolutely 100% allowed to cross so long as you have a birth certificate and an ordinary driver's license.

If somebody tells you otherwise they are full of shit. The goal is to eventually one day make it so that passports are required... but until then.

Hell, some of the border guards will let you across with just your driver's license. I wouldn't push your luck on that one though...

[Cos]

Originally posted by Tram Common


Bullshit, bullshit, bullshit. Please don't provide information unless you're certain about it.

Errrr maybe this should be back to you. From the CBSA.

When entering the United States by land or water, Canadian citizens are required to present one of the following valid documents: a passport, a NEXUS card, a Free and Secure Trade (FAST) card or an enhanced driver's licence/enhanced identification card or a Secure Certificate of Indian Status (when this certificate is available and approved by the United States).

As far as I know an Alberta D/L is not an enhanced drivers license and OBVIOUSLY a birth certificate is not listed. Edit: thanks Toma

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


I dont care if you have done it 30 times in a month (wtf is with that btw), if we tell this guy he is fine. USCBP and/or CBSA could deny him or at least detain him either way due to this law. He may get lucky but he should know of the risks and what is actually required of him.

[Toma]

You need a passport "legally".

When entering the United States by land or water, Canadian citizens are required to present one of the following valid documents: a passport, a NEXUS card, a Free and Secure Trade (FAST) card or an enhanced driver's licence/enhanced identification card or a Secure Certificate of Indian Status (when this certificate is available and approved by the United States).

From:
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/whti-ivho/menu-eng.html

Enhanced drivers licenses:

British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, and Nova Scotia are implementing some form of enhanced driver’s licence and/or photo card. Manitoba, Quebec, and British Columbia have already launched their programs.

Alberta, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island have decided against enhanced driver's licences/enhanced identification cards in favour of passports.

Citizens from those provinces will be required to use valid passports for all travel to the United States.

[Maybelater]

Yep, I can confirm it from personal experience, you can coss the border (by vehicle only) with a driver license and a government id that confirms citizenship (birth certificate is best because non-citizens can get things like SIN#s).

I even called the border before I went to make sure and they said basically "that although they do prefer you bring a passport, since the Obama adminstartion has come in they have blocked laws preventing Canadians from crossing by vehicle. If you're not doing anything illegal they'll let you through and just remind you that the laws are changing".

You can even call the US border and they'll tell you just what I said.

[broken_legs]

I've entered the USA through Calgary Airport with an expired passport. The airline wouldn't even issue me a ticket, i had to convince them to do it - But the customs guy didnt say anything.

The guy scanned it through and said have a nice day.

Not saying this will happen for you, but it happened for me.

Also, i've had a new passport turned around in under 30 minutes at the Surrey passport office, from ruined passport to new pictures and new passport. You have to pay the hurry fee BUT they can do it.

Good Luck

[sexualbanana]

Originally posted by Maybelater
If you're not doing anything illegal they'll let you through and just remind you that the laws are changing".

If you were doing something illegal, they still wouldn't let you through regardless.

[themack89]

I called the border (Piegan, MT). They said as long as I bring my expired passport and some papers showing I at least applied for a new passport and recieved some documentation from Govt Canada then there should be no problems.

[Maybelater]

Originally posted by sexualbanana


If you were doing something illegal, they still wouldn't let you through regardless.

Aha I know but that is what they told me.

[rage2]

The rules state those, but the border guards are pretty lenient. It's just a hassle if you don't have the right documents.

If you're a brown guy with only a drivers license, chances are, they probably won't let you in.

[Tram Common]

Originally posted by Cos


Errrr maybe this should be back to you. From the CBSA.



As far as I know an Alberta D/L is not an enhanced drivers license and OBVIOUSLY a birth certificate is not listed. Edit: thanks Toma

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


I dont care if you have done it 30 times in a month (wtf is with that btw), if we tell this guy he is fine. USCBP and/or CBSA could deny him or at least detain him either way due to this law. He may get lucky but he should know of the risks and what is actually required of him.

That's the thing though Cos, if it actually was a law they would turn you away... but like I said, they don't and the border guards even state that it's 100% alright if you simply have a birth certificate and a normal driver's license.

... I've never heard of someone being turned away so long as they have those two things... never.

... I broker parts for a few companies, which is why I go back a forth so much.

[ZenOps]

Don't forget to pickup $98 worth of US nickels for the trip back!

[03ozwhip]

Originally posted by ZenOps
Don't forget to pickup $98 worth of US nickels for the trip back!

wtf? when are you going to stop posting useless shit? fuck its annoying seeing your posts.

im wondering a little here, after reading some of your posts. my buddy has a criminal record from back in 96/97(he was 18 or 19) from Nova Scotia and hasnt been in any real criminal troubles(that hes been caught for, but hes old now, doesnt do stupid shit anymore.)

anyways, im sure if he tries to fly with a passport to the US, he will probably be turned back. my question is, what if we drive across the border, do you think he would still be turned back?

[FraserB]

Yeah, they still run names. Criminal record and no pardon = no travel to or over the US.

[03ozwhip]

Originally posted by FraserB
Yeah, they still run names. Criminal record and no pardon = no travel to or over the US.

i thought so, i figured maybe since you dont need an actual passport to drive through the border, it may be different for this too. thanks.