New documentation needed to cross the border

By John Kennett
Journalism 312

As of Jan. 31, United States and Canadian citizens will need the proper documentation to cross the border between the U.S. and Canadian.

Prior to Jan. 31, people crossing the border were able to make an oral declaration that they were citizens of the U.S. or Canada.

The new Travel Documents Requirment will close a well-documented security gap, reducing the potential for an individual to gain access to the U.S. by falsely claiming through an oral declaration to be a U.S., Canadian or Bermudan citizen.

“The new requirement helps our officers verify who is entering the country, making us more efficient,” said Ron Smith, public affairs officer, Customs and Border Protection Detroit field office.

Canadian citizen Helmut Hentschler, who crosses the border between 30 and 40 times per year, does not see the requirement as an inconvenience. Hentschler, who lives in Sarnia, uses his Trusted Traveler Card.

“I’ve always complied with the regulations and had the documents that I’ve needed,” said Hentschler.

Smith also does not see the new requirement as being a nuisance for travelers.

“Since 9/11, a majority of the travelers have carried documents,” said Smith. “There have been no additional delays at any of our Michigan border crossings, Detroit, Port Huron or Sault Ste. Marie.”

After Jan. 31, travelers entering the U.S. will be required to provide the following documentation.

U.S. and Canadian Citizens – Single Document Option

One of the following documents must be presented to prove both identity and citizenship.

Acceptable Documents as of January 31:

• U.S. or Canadian Passport
• U.S. Passport Card (Available spring 2008)*
• Trusted Traveler Cards (NEXUS, SENTRI, or FAST)*
• State or Provincial Issued Enhanced Driver's License (when available – this secure driver's license will denote identity and citizenship.)*
• Enhanced Tribal Cards (when available)*
• U.S. Military Identification with Military Travel Orders
• U.S. Merchant Mariner Document
• Native American Tribal Photo Identification Card
• Form I-872 American Indian Card
• Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) Card

* Frequent Land Border Crossers — to expedite processing into the United States, U.S. Customs and Border Protection recommends using one of the above asterisked documents.

U.S. and Canadian Citizens – Two Document Option

All U.S. and Canadian citizens who do not have one of the documents from the list above must present BOTH an identification and citizenship document from each of the columns below.

Identification Documents*

• Driver's license or identification card issued by a federal, state, provincial, county, territory, or municipal authority
• U.S. or Canadian military identification card

* All identification documents must have a photo, name and date of birth.

Citizenship Documents

• U.S. or Canadian birth certificate issued by a federal, state, provincial, county, territory or municipal authority
• U.S. Consular report of birth abroad
• U.S. Certificate of Naturalization
• U.S. Certificate of Citizenship
• U.S. Citizen Identification Card
• Canadian Citizenship Card
• Canadian certificate of citizenship without photo

U.S. and Canadian Citizens – Procedures for Children

Effective January 31, 2008, U.S. and Canadian citizen children ages 18 and under will be expected to present a birth certificate issued by a federal, state, provincial, county or municipal authority.

Travelers not able to produce documentation, can expect a delay as U.S. Customs and
Border Protection officers attempt to verify their identity and citizenship.

Edited by Sheri Krotzer and Ben Evers