Canadian Travel

tonymull wrote:
Some points accept the cards and some don't. It's not a federal agreement on either side but agreement between states and provinces, so the rules vary across the country.
Easier to just get a passport, the hardest part is the little picture ;-) Should something happen and you needed to fly back home, you won't be able to without a passport. I don't think you can cross anywhere with a birth certificate any more. Certainly not WA/BC. I've never found customs to be a problem either way as long as you are cooperative and follow the rules....and I cross multiple times each year.

The US Government issues the passport cards and they are accepted at border crossings to Canada and Mexico. They are good at all crossings in an auto but not a plane.

RVCircus -- you do absolutely need passports, passport cards, or enhanced driver's licenses. Do not cross without one of them. The one exception is for children under the age of sixteen; a birth certificate is acceptable for them.

I would recommend getting full passports; if you ever wish to fly to Europe or elsewhere overseas, you'll need to have a full passport. If your state does offer enhanced driver's licenses, though, that may be a good bit quicker and less expensive than a passport. (It seems that currently Vermont, New York, Michigan, Minnesota, and Washington are the only states that have EDL programs.)

The NRA sticker should pose no problem, assuming of course you are actually complying with the appropriate firearm laws. Many people cross the border daily with all sorts of bumper and other stickers. Of course, you should adhere to the applicable firearm laws themselves.

We have never had a problem with the dog. I carry a copy of his most recent shot record but have never needed it. The only dog question was one time: "Is that a Schipperke?" That one I could answer.

We do travel with full Passports.

We carry proof of registration and insurance for the truck and trailer. Again, never needed but we would be carrying the vehicle documents anyway.

A

RV Circus - without passports do not go across to Canada. You will have a long delay getting back to the US without them!!

We're thinking about making our first border crossing this year. We're planning to do Niagara and would like to spend time on the Canadian side, but none of us have passports and don't know if it's worth the expense for the 6 of us.

Any issues with dogs crossing? I'm thinking we'd leave her home for this trip anyway, but thought I'd ask.

I was also considering removing the NRA sticker just to avoid any potential issues there.

Having traveled cross border most of my life, I would highly recommend to always carry your passports. It will make life a lot easier. Oh and leave your guns at home. Do not attempt to bring them across the borders.

Assuming you hold current passports, why not just carry them and then there is no confusion, use your cards for the cruise ships.......

Depending on the number of times you are looking to cross you might want to look into the Nexus card. It is the "trusted traveller" program for travel between the US and Canada. I believe it's accepted at all crossings and at lots of them you get your own lane and much shorter lines, fewer questions and a more pleasant cross. I live close to the border and I cross a lot (wife works there, friends live there, etc). We love our nexus passes.

In Canada border crossings are federal not provincial so its federal jurisdiction not provincial.

You do not need to leave Canada at the point of entry.

Come on up into Canada for a visit, lots to see and do and with out low dollar almost a free trip for Americans.

We have both passports and the passport auto cards, the card is convenient and easy to carry in your wallet.
I think some of the replies to your post misunderstand what a Passport Card is.