CanSecWest Dilemma

[foxgrrl]

I want to go to CanSecWest/Core06, and my company will pay for everything, but, my problem is that I will need to cross the Canadian boarder, and I don't have a current passport. My old passport is also in my old name, as is my birth certificate. All of my other forms of identification are in my current name. I don't have any court papers stating that I changed my name — that these two different names are the same person.

Back in 2002, the last time I entered Canada, I only needed my CA driver's license. According to stuff like...
http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/regional/regional_1170.html
http://www.customs.ustreas.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/kbyg/documentary_req.xml
http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1082.html
http://www.international.gc.ca/can-am/san_francisco/menu-en.asp
http://www.tourismvancouver.com/visitors/travel_tips/customs_and_excise

A driver's license, voter's registration card or Social Security card is NOT valid proof of citizenship.

At the present time, Canadian and American citizens only need a birth certificate and a photo ID (such as a driver's license) to cross into the USA. There is a new U.S. law saying that passports will be required by everyone who crosses a land border by Dec. 31/2007. The same law says passports will be required by anyone entering the USA by plane or sea by Dec. 31, 2006.

U.S. citizens [...] Are exempt from passport requirements. However, it is highly recommended that a U.S. Citizen be prepared to present documentation such as valid or expired U.S. passport, U.S. birth certificate, or Naturalization certificate to avoid delays.

I was going to call the Canadian Consulate, earlier today, to confirm all of this, but I was too busy with other stuff.

For anyone in the Seattle/Vancouver area, who crosses the border frequently, I have the following forms of ID; Is there any combination that will allow me to pass through customs?

Birth Certificate	No Photo	Old Name
Expired Passport	Photo	Old Name (Photo of me when I was considerably younger, for when I was in Ireland in 1982)
Social Security Card	No Photo	Old Name
Social Security Card	No Photo	New Name
CA Driver's License	Photo	New Name
CA Driver's License (Photocopy)	Photo	Old Name (I can't find this now, I think it's in a box in Idaho.)
School ID	Photo	New Name
School ID (Photocopy)	Photo	Old Name
Doctor's Letter (Photocopy)	No Photo	Old and New Names.

And then all the other stuff like Voter Registration Cards, Selective Service Registration, Car Title, College and High School Diplomas, Tax Forms, etc. etc.

I think that with my two Social Security cards (same number, old/new names), and maybe the Student IDs, I can establish that the person on my Birth Certificate and Passport, is the same person on my Driver's License. (The letter from my shrink probably helps too, even though it's not that form letter, it was from my shrink to my medical doctor. Oh that reminds me... I have my complete medical file (don't ask how I got the original), and it contains both of my names as well.)

I also think that I should try to cross the boarder by land, rather than air. Since airport customs is probably much more picky about stuff than customs at Blaine(?). So, my plan is to fly into Seattle, and then drive/bus/etc. to Vancouver. (Or drive all the way there in my shinny new car.)

And I have to get all of this figured out within, about the next 48 hours.

Comments

[samiathome.livejournal.com]

Theres actually another crossing not far off from blaine (I think its Sumas), which usually isnt as busy, which may or may not be good depending. I think its generally a good idea to bring your birth certificate, but I havent crossed in a while, unfortunately

[wolphin.livejournal.com]

I thought drivers licence with a photo was good enough. When I got the train from New York up to Canada, people just seemed to be showing drivers licences, but then again, I'm Aussie, so I had to show a passport and everything.

Easiest way would be to phone up the consulate since the regulations change all the time.

[arethinn]

There's two different sets of rules to contend with - what you need to get into Canada, and what you need to get back into the US. The latter is getting more strict these days.

[ivy]

I'd bring it all and hope, pretty much. I do agree with driving rather than flying, though -- I think that will be easier.

[silvaerina-tael.livejournal.com]

I've been following this for a while now. You don't need a passport right now, and should be able to cross the boarder with your birth certificate and valid state driver's lisence/picture id. The absolute need for a passport will only become necessary at the end of the year, and come into effect on January first.

Unless changes happen...

[weev.livejournal.com]

If you go, say hi to aempirei and tell Dave Aitel "YHBT by Bantown" for me.

[tyrsalvia.livejournal.com]

I changed my name through the court system to avoid the passport problem. If you do a court name change, then you can have a legal name change form with your birth certificate at the passport office, and they'll issue a passport in your new name. Otherwise, you have to wait 7 years, and in tne interim, they'll issue you a passport in y our old name "aka new name."

If you have the time, I suggest you go through a court name change. It's worth it.

[foxgrrl]

Hey, that's right, I changed my name in 2000 – seven years ago. And to prove it, I still have my old expired (new name) driver's license that was issued then!
I should be able to get a new passport, without court documents. (And I better act soon, as apparently in October of this year, they are going to start putting RFID chips in them.)

[centauress.livejournal.com]

Supposedly it only takes a US state-issued or federal-issued photo ID to cross the border. A visa is not required. They wouldn't be able to check your Social security card at all, so don't bother with that.

Your CA driver's license includes enough information to get you across the border. They will never know about your previous name or gender - and probably not care; this is Canada.

If you wanted to bring your Birth certificate (a copy) you would also need a copy of your declaration of name change - the court order papers (a copy). Nothing else could be required.

You could get a passport, but once again, that's not required for Canada.

[glitterychaos.livejournal.com]

Last time I crossed the canada-USA border by air, I would have needed a birth certificate and a photo ID with matching names had I been a citizen. Course, I was canadien then, so I had a passport and greencard and that got me through. Your old drivers license with old name and the birth certificate should work, but getting a birth certificate or some other proof of citizenship like a court order with your real name on it would be really good to have.

When I finish changing my name, I`ll have a signed court order with the old and new name on it, which is very handy to have... Canada doesn`t care so much, but the US is a pain in the butt to get back in to, and its only getting worse.

[glitterychaos.livejournal.com]

Oh.... and I meant to apologize for passing out and not hearing the phone when we were supposed to go see Esh. I don`t remember anything past 630pm of that night, and didn`t get up and be conscious again until after sunrise... :/ I didn`t mean to just not answer, I expected that my phone on LOUD woulda woken me up anyways.

[amberite.livejournal.com]

They are supposed to req birth certificate and photo ID, and I believe they were in 2002, as well. (Was that the year I was last in Canada? Maybe it was '03.) Sometimes they do just see your driver's license and wave you through. I wouldn't count on it now, though.

Probably the BC, DL and doctor's letter will cover it.

[amberite.livejournal.com]

Oh, and in my experience, Canada airport customs hasn't been particularly fussy -- they just want to see if you're bringing any gifts or fruit. :-) I think they expect the long airport security haul to get rid of anyone who means funny business. But my experience may be out of date, so check with someone who's been there more recently. Like, oh, Eshari!

[amberite.livejournal.com]

(Plus, I'm a dork who doesn't notice the dates on things.)