Gordon Bombay Posted June 13, 2008 Share Posted June 13, 2008 Hi everyone! Myself and a few friends from work were considering going to Canada's Wonderland this summer. It looks like a great park and has pretty positive reviews, the length of the drive isn't too bad and it would be something different than the usual trip to Cedar Point. No offense to Cedar Point, we're just looking to try something new. I ultimately decided to do Wonderland over other parks I was considering because of Behemoth, other great rides the park has, and that I have never been out of the country before. However, going out of the country may just be my problem. Now, I am not intending nor am I encouraging that any politics be brought up, and please do not bring them up; however, times have changed and laws and regulations change with the times. My first concern when planning the trip was whether or not I needed a passport if driving into Canada and driving back into the United States. I know that it is required to fly between the two nations, but couldn't find a definite answer on driving. All last night I tried to scour the internet for an official answer but it seems that people and websites (even two separate ".gov" websites that conflict each other) seem to offer these four answers: -Yes, as of January 2008 all citizens re-entering the United States of America need a passport. -No, all that is required is a valid U.S. id, birth certificate, and proof of citizenship. -Maybe, depends on who you are and if you have a criminal record. -No, the law has yet to change, as of right now you do not need a passport, just proof of U.S. Citizenship. So does anyone know the real answer and have a link to an official accurate source? From what I've heard, if we do need to get passports we won't be able to on time to take a trip this summer, and if we even want them quick enough for this summer we'd have to pay pretty high expedited shipping charges. If this is true we may consider one of our other options such as Six Flags Great Adventure or heading down South to Dominion, Carowinds, and Over Georgia. Thanks for the help everyone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thrill_Biscuit Posted June 13, 2008 Share Posted June 13, 2008 Have you tried the DHS website: Travel Security ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon Bombay Posted June 13, 2008 Author Share Posted June 13, 2008 Thanks ThrillBiscuit, don't know why I didn't look in the obvious. So it seems that just having a passport would make things easier as it would be the only documentation I'd need to provide, however that will take too long to get. So looks like I'm going with option number two: U.S. and Canadian Citizens – Two Document Option All U.S. and Canadian citizens who do not have one of the documents from the list above must present BOTH an identification and citizenship document from each of the columns below. Identification Documents* Driver’s license or identification card issued by a federal, state, provincial, county, territory, or municipal authority U.S. or Canadian military identification card * All identification documents must have a photo, name and date of birth. Citizenship Documents U.S. or Canadian birth certificate issued by a federal, state, provincial, county, territory or municipal authority U.S. Consular report of birth abroad U.S. Certificate of Naturalization U.S. Certificate of Citizenship U.S. Citizen Identification Card Canadian Citizenship Card Canadian certificate of citizenship without photo I assume I can just bring a copy of my birth certificate and not the original right? Or is that a no-no? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WooferBearATL Posted June 13, 2008 Share Posted June 13, 2008 I'm not certain about driving to Canada and requiring a passport. I've not driven to the country since the changes went through. I do know that you must have a passport to fly into Canada and then to return to the US. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon Bombay Posted June 13, 2008 Author Share Posted June 13, 2008 Yes, we established that in the first post, and as the post two posts above you indicates; if you do not have a passport you must provided two separate pieces of documentation, one from each of the lists. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KIfan73 Posted June 13, 2008 Share Posted June 13, 2008 If I were in this situation, I would probably see about contacting Wonderland. With (I'm assuming) a lot of people crossing the border to go there, I would think they would know pretty well what was involved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Picard Posted June 13, 2008 Share Posted June 13, 2008 I have talked to someone that drives truck for All American Homes and he said get a passport. If you don't have one they will make you wait for hours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cstrwomann Posted June 13, 2008 Share Posted June 13, 2008 When I visited the park in 2005 I didn't need a passport. I think I just showed my driver's license and that was all. It's a beautiful park. I really liked it. Hope you enjoy your trip and ride on Behemoth. It looks like a good addition to the park. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoastersRZ Posted June 13, 2008 Share Posted June 13, 2008 But cstrwomann, the laws with regards to traveling to Canada without a pass port have changed within the last year. You used to not require a pass port to travel to Canada and return to the United States. But with increasing security measures, that is now required. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoddaH1994 Posted June 13, 2008 Share Posted June 13, 2008 Heck back in '01 (pre-9/11) my friends and I drove into Canada from Detroit and back without even having photo IDs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WooferBearATL Posted June 13, 2008 Share Posted June 13, 2008 And I have crossed the border many times without having to say anything other than where you are headed to. Those days are long gone. I would venture to say that it's probably a best bet to just get the passport. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luff Posted June 14, 2008 Share Posted June 14, 2008 Don't try to cross the border if you have a criminal background. I've had co-workers turned away for just that reason. Also, passport processing has gotten much better since the initial rush of people getting them last year. This is no guarantee but My wife's and kids passports were turned around (February) in about 2 and 1/2 weeks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vortex Posted June 14, 2008 Share Posted June 14, 2008 (edited) I just got back from Wonderland last week and I had a pass port. It did not really take that long to get a pass port. I just went during the wrong time Math day and all the kids where out line jumping all day. You have to ride the Clone of the King Cobra. Also Vortex is the best coaster in the park. Forgot to tell you make sure you get some Canada money they do not take US money if you want to buy a drink or some food. Credit Cards also work if you don't have a lot of money on you. Edited June 14, 2008 by Vortex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Browntggrr Posted June 14, 2008 Share Posted June 14, 2008 The requirements for land travel have gone back and fourth so often it has been hard to keep up. The requirement has changed due to an excess of applications. Basically, the demand has been so high, they can't keep up. My family has passports. And I have not had a problem. Personally, I would get a passport if going out of the country. What customs has been doing is that if you have proper ID, and your passport application in hand (not the actual passport, but the paperwork that it is on it's way) you don't have a problem. And if the process has sped up as others have mentioned, I would do it ASAP. Even if you don't go, it is always nice to have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WooferBearATL Posted June 14, 2008 Share Posted June 14, 2008 In general, I think that it's just wise for everyone to have a passport. For the most part, it's what many to most in other countries would never think twice about. Passports are accepted as positive ID for far more than just entering and exiting the country. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted June 14, 2008 Share Posted June 14, 2008 Another reason to assume you need the passport to get to Canada and back by land is this. The requirements HAVE switched back and forth again and again. They could easily change before your trip. I'd not plan on venturing up there at some indefinite future time without a passport in hand, were it me... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.