US to Canada - Passport Required?

[smokeFJR06]

I'm planning a bike trip for June and the plans are to ride across the border into Canada. Will I need a passport to do this? What will I need to cross the border?

Thanks!

Smoke

 

[Randy]

For now, birth cirtificate and drivers license if travelling by land. Passport if by air. Next year, passport for land travel, also.

 

[FJR_pig]

FAQ on Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative

 

[Pjturbo]

If you have a passport it will be much easier and faster to cross. Some Canada ports won't let you in without a passport. I used our postoffice. I filled out the form, made an appointment, took 20 minutes and I had my passport a week later. Very easy. After years of going across with nothing we're spoiled up here. How ever if you want to bring a bomb back go to Mexico, no passports required, just a dirt bike.

Phil

PNW

 

[Mike-H]

Don't forget to bring ownership & insurance in case anything were to happen.....copies of said documents don't cut it....it's also alot less hassle....(for you that is)....

 

[Randy]

And, if you had a DUI, I think there might be additional paperwork required.

 

[Pierre]

Where do you plan to go, cause if it is in Quebec, I could send you some nice place to visit....

 

[smokeFJR06]

Where do you plan to go, cause if it is in Quebec, I could send you some nice place to visit.

...
There are six of us riding to Laconia Bike Week for 3 days, then we are heading up to Montreal for one night, then down to Toronto for one night, then back to Illinois. I'm not making out the route, but the guy that is usually takes the scenic routes. If you have any suggestions of places to stop, please let me know!

And, if you had a DUI, I think there might be additional paperwork required.

I'm good on this one!

Don't forget to bring ownership & insurance in case anything were to happen.....copies of said documents don't cut it....it's also alot less hassle....(for you that is)....

Good idea!

For now, birth cirtificate and drivers license if travelling by land. Passport if by air. Next year, passport for land travel, also

That's what I had heard.

If you have a passport it will be much easier and faster to cross. Some Canada ports won't let you in without a passport.

Since this may be the only time I go into Canada, or outside the US, I'm wondering if it's worth the $95 to get one. I mean, will it be that quicker and less of a hassle than carrying my Birth Certificate and License? I just hate spending the money when I'll probably only use it once. If it's going to be a hassle though, I don't want that either. Only one of the six of us right now has a passport.

Thanks everyone for your responses!

Smoke

 

[Mike-H]

I can assume then you will never want to ride to Alaska, or Mexico, or South America....Europe....(too bad....can't appreciate where you live until you've seen how others do)....get the passport, you'll probably want to travel more than, & won't have an excuse not to....

 

[bramfrank]

You don't need a passport or a birth cetificate to drive across the border into Canada . . . yet. But you should get one while it isnt altogether too draconian a process. You never know. But it may not ever be MANDATORY - Ontario's new driver's license apparently meets the new rules for security and border crossing . . . so if you NEVER fly, I guess that eventually there'll be something other than a passport you'll be able to use.

This year, if you have a DUI, Canadian Customs wouldn't know and they've never asked me (US Customs DOES ask whether you have any convictions) - all you'll likely get is "where were you born, where are you going, are you carrying anything you'll be leaving there (no smartass replies) and how long will you be in the country". If they're really ornery, they'll ask you 'why'.

Remove your helmet, lick your lips before you get to the officer, hand the officer your driver's license and look him/her in the eye and you won't have trouble getting in.

Getting out? That's another story.

Never travel without your license, registration and insurance papers.

 

[FJRottie]

When you enter Canada, a border services officer may ask to see your passport and a valid visa, when necessary. If you are a citizen of the United States, you do not need a passport to enter Canada; however, you should carry proof of your citizenship such as a birth certificate, certificate of citizenship or naturalization or a Certificate of Indian Status, as well as a photo ID. If you are a permanent resident of the United States, you must bring your permanent resident card (i.e. green card) with you. For more information on admissibility into Canada, read the fact sheet called Managing Access to Canada. It is available on our Web site at www.cbsa.gc.ca.

- Canada Border Services Agency

Giving them something makes it that much easier and saves time and hassles.

 

[Greg E.]

We regularly sail into Canada. We NEVER have difficulty going in and never have been boarded. Coming back into the US is a different story. Be prepared for more intense scrutiny. It's the return where the passport really cuts down the time required. It's worth the time and money, believe me.

-GSE-

 

[ponyfool]

One more thing: When the Canadian border crossing agent asks you, "Do you have any drugs or guns?" They find it funny when you reply, "Sure, what do you need?"

 

[Indian Scout]

One more thing: When the Canadian border crossing agent asks you, "Do you have any drugs or guns?" They find it funny when you reply, "Sure, what do you need?"

:yahoo: Yea, so funny, you will be there for hours while they dismantle your bike. Which you can then put back together yourself.

 

[smokeFJR06]

One more thing: When the Canadian border crossing agent asks you, "Do you have any drugs or guns?" They find it funny when you reply, "Sure, what do you need?"

Uh, don't think so!

Years ago there were 3 of us making trips to Canada (job related) and when we were crossing back from Canada to the USA the guy driving always said to the inspector (or whatever you call them) "He's got cigars in his pants!" pointing at me. They didn't think that was very funny either.

I can assume then you will never want to ride to Alaska, or Mexico, or South America....Europe....(too bad....can't appreciate where you live until you've seen how others do)....get the passport, you'll probably want to travel more than, & won't have an excuse not to....

Good point! Alaska maybe, but there are so many places I've not been to here in the US that I want to see first.

 

[FJRocket]

I'd go ahead and get a passport. Good for 10 years. Beat the glut for next year. Check online to see if your local post office (or one nearby) is "passport ready". My postmaster took my pic, helped with the paperwork, made sure it was correct, took the money (and a small fee ) and sent in the whole package for me. It took more than a week to come back. More like 3 (and I was tickled to see it that quick), and I wouldn't be surprised if it took a lot longer than that, especially if you've never had one.

Of course you can spend extra money to get an expedited passport if you are in a hurry. But it would be quite pricey and don't believe everything they tell you. Some of the expediters actually expedite sending the paperwork in, not getting it back. The second passport I got was for a last minute cruise. I went up to Chicago and got a renewal same day. That was back in the 80's. Ah, the good old days...

Two summers ago I flew with a buddy in his small plane to St. Thomas, by way of Windsor. Three ship formation. The "lead" forgot not only his passport, but his drivers AND pilot's license. The guy was so full of ******** that he talked his way out of the US easily (none of us got checked). Coming back in, though, the Port Huron US guys weren't quite so easy. Still, "Lead" was ex military, a retired helo pilot, so he could "walk the walk, and talk the talk" with the boys. I had my passport and volunteered to fly his plane home for him (if he got detained), but it wasn't necessary. He didn't even get chastised, just modestly and politely grilled, sir.

BTW, as was discussed in an earlier thread, I'll add LEAVE YOUR RADAR DETECTOR AT HOME. Or at least hide it away deep in the bike. They are illegal to have in your posession and will be confiscated in Ontario, and you could get a $1K fine.

 

[smokeFJR06]

BTW, as was discussed in an earlier thread, I'll add LEAVE YOUR RADAR DETECTOR AT HOME. Or at least hide it away deep in the bike. They are illegal to have in your posession and will be confiscated in Ontario, and you could get a $1K fine.

Good information, thanks! None of us have radar detector's, only GPS Units. Me, I have neither. I didn't know they were illegal to even have in your posession.

I have an Uncle that retired with 30 years in the Navy. He can BS with the best fo them too. Life experiences does alot for a person.