Expert: - 2/24/2007

Question
Thanks so much for the reply. I am also wondering what I will need to get through customs. If a birth certificate if required, does it have to be the original or can it be a copy? Will anything else work? ie:social security card etc
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The text above is a follow-up to ...

-----Question-----
I was planning on going to Windsor to visit a friend but I heard that there is a new law requiring U.S. citizens to have a passport to enter Canada. Is this true? If not, will it and when will it go into effect? Thanks SO much
-----Answer-----
If you are coming via air to Canada from the United States, and you are a U.S. citizen, then you require a passport as of January 2007.  The passport requirement DOES NOT APPLY to land crossing until 2008.  You will be coming to Windsor by land, as there are no regularly scheduled cross-border flights between Windsor and the United States -- air travel to Windsor would be accomplished via air to Detroit or Toronto, and car travel from there.

http://www.americanpassport.com/wha.html


Answer
An important thing to remember when crossing the border (any border - either way) is that you can encounter a wildly varying experience from border officer to border officer.  You may not get across the border with one official, but return on a different shift and have no problems crossing with the same ID and under the same circumstances.

The more documentation you have on you, the better.  If you are coming across to Windsor for a short stay, or to gamble or shop, and you are a U.S. citizen, then most likely a valid driver's license and birth certificate (original of all documents must be provided) will be sufficient.  This reamins, however, no guarantee.  Even a passport is not a guarantee of entry into any country -- if the officer believes you may be intending to stay longer than you say, intend to work, may be a burden to the health or social services system ... there are a host of reasons why one might not be allowed to cross.

Again, it is most likely that with at least one valid piece of photo identification (driver's license is generally sufficient, if it is a photo license), and a birth certificate, you should have no problem.  Even with having only a photo copy of the birth certificate, if you have other documents to back up your claim, have a permanent address in the U.S., and have no criminal record, then you should encounter no difficulties.