Cruise Talk: Documents for Canada arrival

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»	Cruise Talk » Cruising 1.0 » Documents for Canada arrival

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Topic: Documents for Canada arrival

sadiwest
First Class Passenger
Member # 2130

posted 07-23-2001 06:09 PM

They say that one needs to bring an "original" birth certificate with a "raised seal". Though I have this, I would like to know if a photocopy of this original document is acceptable. Obviously, I don't want to travel with the original and I do not have a passport.
Any information?

Posts: 14 | From: New Jersey | Registered: Jun 2001 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 07-23-2001 06:12 PM

An original document does NOT mean a photocopy of the original document! You will need to take the real thing, if that's what they want.

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

Green
First Class Passenger
Member # 171

posted 07-23-2001 07:55 PM

quote:
Originally posted by sadiwest:
They say that one needs to bring an "original" birth certificate with a "raised seal". Though I have this, I would like to know if a photocopy of this original document is acceptable. Obviously, I don't want to travel with the original and I do not have a passport.
Any information?

Simple Answer -

GET A PASSPORT - best possible ID when entering other countries - and - sometimes neceaary to get back into your own.

In my experience, the US of A does not accept photocopies - originals are required for all travellers, enroute or otherwise.

Posts: 2913 | From: Markham, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

sadiwest
First Class Passenger
Member # 2130

posted 07-23-2001 08:52 PM

Jeez, I feel like I am being scolded. In any case, it's too late to get a passport before my travel date unless I want to shell out $100+ to do so thorough one of these "express" services.
I guess I can travel with the original...Thanks for the information.

Posts: 14 | From: New Jersey | Registered: Jun 2001 | IP: Logged

scone.
First Class Passenger
Member # 2068

posted 07-23-2001 09:01 PM

Surely common sense tells you Sadiwest that a passport is a must if you are doing any travelling.Try showing anything other than a passport in some places and you will be subject to close scrutiny, so the suggestions posted here are to make it easier for you.Hope you enjoy your trip,by the way when my wife and i travell to the United States from Canada they sure want to see our passport.

quote:
Originally posted by sadiwest:
Jeez, I feel like I am being scolded. In any case, it's too late to get a passport before my travel date unless I want to shell out $100+ to do so thorough one of these "express" services.
I guess I can travel with the original...Thanks for the information.

Posts: 14 | From: Ontario Canada | Registered: Jun 2001 | IP: Logged

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 07-23-2001 09:11 PM

I agree with Green & Scone. We are all Canadians and would never think of travelling to the US or any other country without our passport.
In Canada our passports are $60.00 and are good for 5 years, whereas I understand that in the US yours are good for 10 years. Pretty inexpensive when you think of it. We can get ours in about 1 week.
Why is it too late for you to get a passport. When are you sailing?

Posts: 3305 | From: Toronto, Ont. Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

sadiwest
First Class Passenger
Member # 2130

posted 07-23-2001 09:37 PM

I am travelling in 5 weeks. "They" say to allow 8 weeks for normal applications for passports. The online "specialists" can speed up the process for a mere $100. Of course, you must realize that 1) I never travel anywhere normally 2) I CAN take the birth certificate that everyone says will be acceptable in combination with my driver's license and 3) This was all a bit last minute.
When I was younger and travelling with family to Canada no one ever checked our ID. Not even the parents'.
In any case, I do have a backup in the original birth certificate. At least now I know should I ever decide to do this again and will plan ahead for next time. Meanwhile, I think I will skip the speedy-passport service and spend the $100 on something else.
Thanks, again for the info.

Posts: 14 | From: New Jersey | Registered: Jun 2001 | IP: Logged

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 07-24-2001 07:50 AM

When I was younger and travelling to Canada, no one ever checked:

Times have changed, Sadiwest. My mother was a US citizen & my father was born in Poland - I remember travelling from Toronto to Buffalo to visit relatives and in those days all mother needed was her birth certificate & dad had a card with a picture of him and my sister and I on it & his naturalization papers. Years later we all got passports when travelling to the US. So much easier and simpler.

I am sure you will be fine with the original copy of your birth certificate, but it must be original.

Posts: 3305 | From: Toronto, Ont. Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

RuthPerk
First Class Passenger
Member # 1609

posted 07-24-2001 09:04 AM

Sadiwest - another option would be to contact the County Clerk in the county where you were born and find out what is needed to get additional "official" copies of your birth certificate. I believe all you have to do is write a letter requesting an additional copy of your birth certificate (they'll tell you what you need to put in you letter and who to address it to).

I only had a photocopy of my birth certificate when we went on our honeymoon to Cancun, so I got a Voter's Registration Card with a raised seal (that's when they were still ok for proof of citizenship) to bring with my copy and driver's license. Customs in Mexico had no problem with it, but coming back (we flew out of Toronto) Canadian Customs hassled me over it and US Customs didn't have a problem with it.

Anyways - long story short - I wrote and got a couple of official copies of my birth certificate and haven't had any problems since. I did get a passport (you need to send a birth certificate in with the paperwork, but they return it) and that has made life so much easier when travelling.

Just a thought for the future!

Posts: 329 | From: Victor, NY, USA | Registered: Sep 2000 | IP: Logged

Rex
First Class Passenger
Member # 1113

posted 07-24-2001 10:09 AM

I was under the impression that all I would need to enter Canada would be my passport and driver's license. I will be in Halifax and St. John's next month - please tell me that I don't need my birth certificate - I cannot find the original!!

Posts: 1413 | From: Philadelphia PA, USA | Registered: Feb 2000 | IP: Logged

Green
First Class Passenger
Member # 171

posted 07-24-2001 11:33 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Rex:
I was under the impression that all I would need to enter Canada would be my passport and driver's license. I will be in Halifax and St. John's next month - please tell me that I don't need my birth certificate - I cannot find the original!!

Have no fear - your passport is all you need. ....my birth certificate for example would not prove my Canadian Citizenship.

By the way, a driver's license does not prove citizenship

Posts: 2913 | From: Markham, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

Frank X. Prudent
First Class Passenger
Member # 1723

posted 07-24-2001 05:19 PM

Sadiwest, in the not too distant past, your U.S. Congress Representative or Senator could help expedite receiving a passport. Back in 1989 I had to use such a route and I had my new passport in a couple of weeks. It might be worth your while to see if they stil provide this service.

In May, when I went to Vancouver to catch the REGAL PRINCESS, I had my passport along with me. Although I know that a notorized birth certificate is ok to use, I am sure glad that I had my passport to present at both Canadian and US Customs. There was no fuss and both countries plus the cruise line did request to see my ID too.

[ 07-24-2001: Message edited by: Frank X. Prudent ]

Posts: 577 | From: Covington, Kentucky, U.S.A. | Registered: Dec 2000 | IP: Logged

OCEANSDEVINE
First Class Passenger
Member # 2141

posted 08-02-2001 12:42 PM

Rules are rules for a reason. Notice you live in NJ take a trip into NYC to the federal building and get passport immediately. You may wait on line. If you can't then bring original. I've done many Canadian trips (including by car with young children and they were questioned extensively at border believe it or not). The unwritten rule nowadays is make it difficult for them, they give you real hard trouble. Remember things in NYC are on high alert. So this is for your own protection. Don't be difficult if everyone else can do it so can you.

Posts: 146 | From: NEW YORK | Registered: Jun 2001 | IP: Logged

sadiwest
First Class Passenger
Member # 2130

posted 08-02-2001 07:17 PM

hey, thanks for the input...but I am not being "difficult". No need to be insulting. I was merely asking a question. Now I know and will take the original BC.
Have a nice day.

Posts: 14 | From: New Jersey | Registered: Jun 2001 | IP: Logged

OCEANSDEVINE
First Class Passenger
Member # 2141

posted 08-03-2001 12:35 PM

Sorry Sadiwest, Enjoy your trip. I just have in mind how some people hold up check-in lines because of not following instructions. Even if you lose original, you can always get another and its fairly reasonable cost wise. Have a nice day.

Posts: 146 | From: NEW YORK | Registered: Jun 2001 | IP: Logged

sadiwest
First Class Passenger
Member # 2130

posted 08-03-2001 06:16 PM

Thank you. That's all I needed to hear. I promise I won't be the one holding up the line. If I am....feel free to push me into the water!
Sandi

Posts: 14 | From: New Jersey | Registered: Jun 2001 | IP: Logged

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