Hiking in Canada this weekend; need passport?

[Papa Bear]

A group of us are going to hike Boundary Peak and Mont Gosford this weekend by way of Canada. We expect to enter Canada from Maine at Route 27 and to go back to Maine at Route 201.

Do we need to bring our US passports? Last summer when I was with a group doing similar hiking, the US agent on the way back was happy with our driver's licenses and most of us didn't even bring passports (of course we had Pat to do the talking ).

Thanks
Pb

 

[twigeater]

you don't need a passport, but it can be used as your ID.

 

[spencer]

I usually bring my passport, but the border agents often ignore it and ask for my driver's license only.

Have fun over there, PB!

spencer

 

[spaddock]

I would bring either:

a) my passport or
b) my birth certificate and drivers licence.


-Shayne

 

[Rick]

I've have no problems driving across (usually either NFUS~NFCA via Whirlpool Bridge or Lubec~Campobello) with using just my driver's license. However, a coworker was flyign to Halifax a few weeks ago was turned back before boarding because he didn't have a passport, just a driver's license. I thought it wierd, but maybe it is int'l ariline regs now.

 

[Whiteman]

Need Passport?

A smile and a "Go Sox" is your primary form of identification. I've been up and back to Quebec several times in the last few months, license was all that was required to get back, but I always bring my birth certificate as well. There have been some slowdowns at the biggest crossings on the way into Canada, so watch for that; the sleepy little crossings off the main routes are a breeze.

 

[peakbagger]

They can require a picture ID, drivers licenses are normally acceptable. One thing to keep in mind is that if you drive your car into canada, you are required to have an endorsement certificate from your insurance company that indicates that you are covered if you have an accident. Otherwise, things can get complicated if you do have an accident.

 

[Pete_Hickey]

If you have one, it doesn't hurt to bring it.... That's what I used to think. It just made things easier (getting into the US) for me. I confuse them, sometimes.

Then, last weekend, something happened that I felt was a bit intrusive. "What were you doing in Germany 2 years ago?" "Why were you in Amsterdam?" Etc. I used to think that the passport was simply for identification.

I've usually found the agents at the small crossings into Maine to be much tougher than busier crossings.

And remember: Constitutional rights do not all hold at border crossings.

 

[jjmcgo]

HarryK is right, bring your passport. From this point on, you'll be lucky if a driver's license and birth certificate are accepted. I had a close call at Newark Airport in Sept. and basically begged them to let me on the plane to Montreal. They did an hour's investigation before letting me go. Got a hard time from American customs coming back. Everyone said the same thing, you'll need a passport from now on.

 

[Rick]

Then, last weekend, something happened that I felt was a bit intrusive. "What were you doing in Germany 2 years ago?" "Why were you in Amsterdam?" Etc. I used to think that the passport was simply for identification.

Pete - I now carry 2 which helps to avoids that situation - A UK for the rest of the world and a US for coming home.

 

[Neil]

I've usually found the agents at the small crossings into Maine to be much tougher than busier crossings.

And remember: Constitutional rights do not all hold at border crossings.

Last Sat. (Nov 5) I crossed (going south) at the small crossing just east of Lacolle. While the agent in the booth grilled me a second one opened the sliding door of my van and started checking out my pack (he didn't open it but he played around with it) Then he opened the back and started rooting around, opening compartments etc. The agent in the booth maintained a suspicious mien and responded to my answers to her pointed questions with disbelieving grunts. It was unnerving and seemed to last forever. I was wondering when the guy with the rubber glove was going to show up when I finally got the, ''have a nice day'' and the nod. No passport needed though. Driver's liscence was enough.

 

[Pete_Hickey]

Lstarted checking out my pack (he didn't open it but he played around with it) Then he opened the back and started rooting around, opening compartments etc.

Yeah, I've had them do that. You have a well packed pack, all ready for a 5 day trip, and they go and pull everything out. I mean, don'T I look like a trustworthy guy?

http://newmud.comm.uottawa.ca/~pete/axeman2.jpg

Going into Canada is usually the opposite (actually, I occationally have worse problems in that direction). One time I went across looking like this

http://newmud.comm.uottawa.ca/~pete/face2.jpg

Alll he asked me was if I had any alcohol, tobaco, or firearms.

 

[Rick]

Pete, Can I use Pic #2 as my new avatar?