I have a copy of my birth certificate, will this be enough to enter into canada and back?

Question

I have my drivers license too... i am going today and have no way of getting the original birth certificate. Any chance of getting into and back to canada?

Answer 1

No you need the original or a passport.

Answer 2

What you mean by "a copy"?  If you mean a photocopy, that will not do.  A "true" birth certificate has a lot of fraud prevention measures built into it so a border guard can see if it is a forgery.

If you are going by land, you will need more than a birth certificate if you are over 18.  (under 18 only needs proof of citizenship)  Over 18 you need proof of citizenship (birth certificate) and government issued photo ID.  If your drivers license you mentioned has a photo on it, that will work for that.

A passport satisfies both the citizenship and government issued photo ID, so it can also be used in place of the two other things.

Answer 3

The Birth Certificate is not enough anymore.  It's reciprocity.  Since we won't allow Canadians into our country without a passport anymore, neither will they.  

You have to get a passport for Air Travel.

For land or sea travel:  you can still enter Canada with your driver's license (gov. issued photo id) and the birth certificate as long as your trip is before June 2009

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbp...

Answer 4

If the copy of your birth certificate is certified then you can use it.  

Until June 1, 2009 you are only required to show your government issued photo id(drivers license etc) and original(or certified copy) birth certificate for land travel into Canada.

Edit: Certified means that is has the raised seal of the government office , or has been signed and stamped by the government office

Answer 5

As far as what constitutes "certified" in relation to a birth certificate, I am Canadian so can only speak about what that implies here.  For something to be certified, first whoever is vouching for its authenticity I believe would have to have the original birth certificate in the first place to have something to compare it to.  Here in Canada, "certified" means having a notary public (usually a lawyer) through an Affidavit and/or a legal seal attest to the fact that he has compared the copy with the original and certifies through his signature and seal that they are one and the same.

You may be able to write to whoever in your State provides birth certificates and they may well be able to provide you with a "certified" copy but, again, this is going to take time.

Answer 6

If you are to travel say from the US to Canada, it is considered as an international flight so would need to present a valid passport and a printed copy of your itinerary if you have electronic ticket.

Answer 7

Nope, you need a passport....if entering Canada by air.  It seems like if you are just walking across the border (say going to Niagra Falls or something) then a government issued photo ID along with a birth cert. would be ok.

http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc...