Will a faxed version of my birthcertificate, along with my drivers license and copy of passport be enough?

Question

I'm a US citizen headed to Canada (Montreal) on Wednesday, hopefully, do not have my passport or actual birth certificate with me. I am getting the birth certificate faxed, and have a copy of my passport, but I don't know if either will be helpful. Other documentation I have includes my drivers license, social security card, college id, bank card, high school transcript ect. Anyone know if I'll be able to manage? And if not what constitues a certified copy of my birth certificate, and is there any way to get it across the country in a day?

Answer 1

It is best to have the original of your passport, and a certified copy of birth certificate. A certified copy is one that is stamped and signed by state records dept. as being a true copy of the original.

You will probably be able to get into Canada just with your drivers license. They won't accept social security card as ID. The college ID may be helpful, but what they are looking for is proof of citizenship, which only a passport or birth certificate would show.

In my experience (I cross the border frequently) most of the time I just need a drivers license to get into Canada ... please note the "most".

Also ... I ALWAYS need my birth certificate/passport to get BACK IN to the US!!

Take the copy, but i doubt it will be helpful.

Answer 2

A certified copy of a birth certificate is a copy provided by the state where you were born that had been stamped and signed with a statement saying that it is a true copy of the original. A fax copy cannot be regarded as a certified copy. If somebody has your original documents they can overnight these to you by FEDEX and you will have them by 10 am the next day. The best document to have when crossing the boarder is a passport. You "may" be able to get by with your drivers license and original college id, and then use the other docs as a backup. Your biggest problem is going to be GETTING BACK INTO the USA. You could maybe talk to somebody on the USA side at the border BEFORE you go into Canada and see if the have some sort of temporary identification document that they can give you that you can present to them when you return..

Hope this helps..Have fun!

Answer 3

I think based on the info below your current US driver's license will do the trick.

A certified copy of your birth certificate is issued by the State in which you were born. That usually takes a few weeks.


New Requirements for Travelers


October 3, 2006: This information does not reflect important changes to the WHTI expected from pending legislation. We will update this page once that legislation has been finalized.

The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 requires that by January 1, 2008, travelers to and from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Panama, Mexico and Canada have a passport or other secure, accepted document to enter or re-enter the United States. In order to facilitate the implementation of this requirement, the Administration is proposing to complete it in phases following a proposed timeline, which will be published in the Federal Register in the near future.

In the proposed implementation plan, which is subject to a period of initial public comment, the Initiative will be rolled out in phases, providing as much advance notice as possible to the affected public to enable them to meet the terms of the new guidelines. The proposed timeline will be as follows:

January 8, 2007 - Requirement applied to all air and sea travel to or from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.
January 1, 2008 - Requirement extended to all land border crossings as well as air and sea travel.
This is a change from prior travel requirements and will affect all United States citizens entering the United States from countries within the Western Hemisphere who do not currently possess valid passports. This new requirement will also affect certain foreign nationals who currently are not required to present a passport to travel to the United States. Most Canadian citizens, citizens of the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda, and to a lesser degree, Mexican citizens will be affected by the implementation of this

Answer 4

new requirements:

New Requirements for Travelers


October 3, 2006: This information does not reflect important changes to the WHTI expected from pending legislation. We will update this page once that legislation has been finalized.

The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 requires that by January 1, 2008, travelers to and from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Panama, Mexico and Canada have a passport or other secure, accepted document to enter or re-enter the United States. In order to facilitate the implementation of this requirement, the Administration is proposing to complete it in phases following a proposed timeline, which will be published in the Federal Register in the near future.

In the proposed implementation plan, which is subject to a period of initial public comment, the Initiative will be rolled out in phases, providing as much advance notice as possible to the affected public to enable them to meet the terms of the new guidelines. The proposed timeline will be as follows:

January 8, 2007 - Requirement applied to all air and sea travel to or from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.
January 1, 2008 - Requirement extended to all land border crossings as well as air and sea travel.
This is a change from prior travel requirements and will affect all United States citizens entering the United States from countries within the Western Hemisphere who do not currently possess valid passports. This new requirement will also affect certain foreign nationals who currently are not required to present a passport to travel to the United States. Most Canadian citizens, citizens of the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda, and to a lesser degree, Mexican citizens will be affected by the implementation of this requirement.


Frequently Asked Questions about the New Travel Initiative Requirements (FAQs)
Press Release: Passport Requirements for Air and Sea Travel to the United States Announced

Other Relevant Links

Department of Homeland Security

U.S. Customs and Border Protection


current requirements:

CANADA – Passport or proof of U.S. citizenship such as a birth certificate, naturalization certificate, and photo ID required. Minors (under 16) traveling alone or in someone else’s custody must present written authorization, signed before a notary, from the parent(s) or guardian. Visas are not required. Canadian immigration officials at ports of entry will issue persons planning to stay longer than 180 days a visitor’s record. Anyone with a criminal record (including a DWI charge) should contact the Canadian Embassy or nearest Consulate General before travel. U.S. citizens entering Canada from a third country must have a valid passport. HIV testing required for resident applicants who are over 15. A temporary resident applicant requires immigration medical examination if stay exceeds 6 months or seeking to work in Canada. For student or business travel, check with the Canadian Embassy, 501 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20001 (202/682-1740) or the nearest Consulate General: CA (213/346-2701), MI (313/567-2085), NY (212/596-1700 or 716/858-9501), or WA (206/443-1375). Internet: www.canadianembassy.org

Answer 5

What you need is "proof of citizenship" and photo ID....a faxed copy of birth certificate is not acceptable. As well, even if you have your certified birth certificate, it becomes invalid if you laminate it. Both sides of the border have to be satisfied that the documents are not forged.

Answer 6

As far as I know, you can not cross the canadian border without the orrigional copy of your passport - this is because they need to keep track of who is coming in and out of the country.

Try calling the US embasy in Canada first. This will let you know 100% if you can or cant enter, and they may be able to sort something out for you. Their Vancouver based phone number is 604-685-4311, but you may need to add area codes.

You could always fed ex your birth certificate / passport!

Answer 7

Carry you proper Passport.

Answer 8

call your state health department where you get a certified copy..call immigration or border patrol

Answer 9

Try going to fndamazingmall.com