West Seattle Blog...

WSB Forum » Open Discussion

1. goodgraces
   Member Profile

   So we are planning (hoping desperately) to travel to Canada next weekend (8/6) for a quick family trip to Whistler. We will drive there. HOWEVER, I am fairly certain that I don't have the necessary documentation to cross the border and was hoping folks could offer insight on the best approach to take.

   BASIC questions:

   1) Am I correct in believing that as an adult I will need either a Passport (which I don't have) or an Enhanced Driver's License (which I don't have either) to enter Canada?

   Both of these documents require a birth certificate, which I also don't have in my possession. :-(

   SO, I have ordered my birth certificate (from Tennessee), which even with Next-Day Air delivery is not expected to arrive until next Thursday, 8/4, since the agency there needs a "3--5 day processing time" before shipment. Sigh.

   2) Can you get an Enhanced Driver's License more quickly (same day?) than the 2--3 weeks quoted on the Washington state site?

   If not, it seems as if my only chance to make this trip on Sunday, 8/7 is to do a super rush US Passport application at the Seattle Regional Office on Thursday, 8/4. It's my understanding that assuming my application and documents and photo is in order, I will be able to pick up my Passport book the day after your Regional Office appointment. Has anyone done this?

   Thanks for your words of wisdom and advice, folks!

   Posted 10 months ago #         

2. sweetflutterby41
   Member Profile

   goodgraces -

   I work for a company that goes to Canada. Everybody over 16 needs either a passport or enhanced license (or state ID). That law was passed back in 2009. Your best bet would to probably put a rush on your passport once you get your birth certificate. You have to make an appointment a couple weeks in advance to get an enhanced license (from what I've heard from people who have them).

   Good luck!

   Posted 10 months ago #         

3. Bostonman
   Member Profile

   I was in the same boat as you, my wife planned a vaation to Mexico and I don't have a passport. If you are travelling my land into Canada you need an enhanced drivers license which you need a birth certificate to get.

   I like you ordered an express birth certificate from Vitalcheck and paid extra for overnight delivery. Here is the good news, despite the processing time they tell you I received my birth certificate in 48 hours. Next day went and applied for an expidited passport and 2 weeks later got that.

   So, hopefully you will get your birth certificate in 48 hours. Now, I know the regional passport office will do something if you are travelling in the next 14 days but you need to call them and make an appointment. I don't know how fast they can get it done, maybe in a day.

   http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/npic/agencies/agencies_913.html

   Here is a link to the agencies and the number.

   Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., local time, M-F, excluding Federal holidays
   Schedule An Appointment 24/7: 1-877-487-2778

   Note, this agency will issue a US Passport card on site. Go to the website and download the first time applicant forms. Get your photos at Bartells or Wallgreens and go there with your birth certificate.

   The US Passport card will allow land and sea entry into Mexico and Canada.

   Good luck

   Posted 10 months ago #         

4. maplesyrup
   Member Profile

   

   I've done the emergency passport thing once and the expedited passport thing two other times. To my pleasant surprise, the system really works.

   You have to spend some time in the passport office but they get the job done.

   BTW while I was in the passport office I overheard a conversation between people who were traveling to Canada by land and the passport office employee. He was asking the travelers for some kind of proof of travel. Since that's hard to provide for land travel he asked for a hotel reservation. Might want to bring that or any other proof of your stay in Canada just in case.

   Posted 10 months ago #         

5. chrisma
   Member Profile

   
   
   

   Posted 10 months ago #         

RSS feed for this topic

Reply

You must log in to post.