HELP with crossing the US/CANADA border

weirdichi

Diamond Member
Sep 19, 2001
4,711
2
76
Stupid me forgot my certificate of citizenship back at home, so I have a question.

Would the border patrols let me come back into the US if I have my US Driver's License and a FAX of my certificate of citenzenship?

I'm planning on going up tonight or tomorrow, so quick answers from ppl who know are greatly appreciated! Thanks!

 

Hossenfeffer

Diamond Member
Jul 16, 2000
7,462
1
0
oooo, bad news. Plan on giving a pinkie finger in return for the return border crossing. That's standard payment for the guards.
 

HappyPuppy

Lifer
Apr 5, 2001
16,997
2
71
I've been to Canada several times and the only ID I ever had was my drivers license. I wasn't even asked for that. When they ask you what your citizenship is you say, "United States of America". As long as you don't say the aforementioned in Arabic, you will be fine.
 

melly

Diamond Member
Feb 5, 2002
3,612
0
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what's with all the customs questions lately! :D

ok, i can speak for canadian customs letting people into the country...most likely it will be the same for the states. though, remember that the issue is not trying to really re-enter the states...rather...would the canadian customs inspector at the border let you through! ;)

generally speaking, photo i.d. (inc. drivers license) and a photocopy of your certificate of citizenship should suffice. ok, by certificate of citizenship, do you mean your birth certificate? or just that you were born somewhere else but settled in the states? if it's the latter, it might be a bit trickier. i hate to say this, but sometimes it depends on the inspector.
 

weirdichi

Diamond Member
Sep 19, 2001
4,711
2
76
I have my Oregon Driver's License and a faxed copy of my Certificate of Citizenship. I was born in Thailand, but I have citizenship in the U.S. Any help would be great! Thanks!
 

her209

No Lifer
Oct 11, 2000
56,336
11
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Originally posted by: HappyPuppy
I've been to Canada several times and the only ID I ever had was my drivers license. I wasn't even asked for that. When they ask you what your citizenship is you say, "United States of America". As long as you don't say the aforementioned in Arabic, you will be fine.

You have to add an "eh" after you say "United States of America" :D
 

iamwiz82

Lifer
Jan 10, 2001
30,772
13
81
they dont care, at least in detroit/windsor, as long as you arent arabic. Once i went over without ANY identification. I attempted to give one of the officers my license and he said, "Dont give that to me unless i ask you to."
 

Frosty3799

Diamond Member
Nov 4, 2000
3,795
0
0
Originally posted by: weirdichi
Stupid me forgot my certificate of citizenship back at home, so I have a question.

Would the border patrols let me come back into the US if I have my US Driver's License and a FAX of my certificate of citenzenship?

I'm planning on going up tonight or tomorrow, so quick answers from ppl who know are greatly appreciated! Thanks!

i just came back over through new york about a month ago, and all they asked for was NY driver license... long as you look "american" then you shouldnt have a problem
 

weirdichi

Diamond Member
Sep 19, 2001
4,711
2
76
Ok.. thanks for all the help!

One question though: What do you mean by "look" American? I'm Asian, so they gonna gimme grief?
 

lepper boy

Golden Member
Nov 2, 1999
1,877
0
76
your in oregon? did I see that? So you going to go up and cross at white rock? up there where i-5 ends?? I've crossed there a lot... this weekend will probably be packed out.. I would turn into blaine and go the back way across... They have only asked me where I was from, and what the purpose of my visit was.... once my wife left her purse in a little restaurant in white rock and we had to turn around and cross back over, then they was looking at us funny... but no worries.... oh and they ahve some great tylennol with codine
up there.....
 

Tominator

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
9,559
1
0
To be strictly 'legal' one must present any form of identication must be notarized. A driver's license is issued by a state and is not recognised by the Feds.

Get your fax sent to a bank or notary and be prepared to show plenty of ID.

I doubt you will even be asked for any ID, but it pays to be prepared.
 

bcmind

Senior member
Oct 9, 1999
539
0
0
it's illegal to make copy of certificate of citizenship. that include the fax you have on hand now.
 

XMan

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
12,513
49
91
they dont care, at least in detroit/windsor, as long as you arent arabic. Once i went over without ANY identification. I attempted to give one of the officers my license and he said, "Dont give that to me unless i ask you to."

Strip clubbing, eh? ;)
 

kami

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
17,627
5
81
I've crossed the border (both ways) and no one asked for ID, they just asked me where I was headed and what I was doing.
 

Kilgor

Diamond Member
Oct 10, 1999
3,292
0
0
it's illegal to make copy of certificate of citizenship. that include the fax you have on hand now.

Where did you hear that? I've used notarized copies of my birth certificate for all kind of stuff even to get a security clearance. :confused: