Documentation for infants travelling to US?

Posted on January 6, 2009 under xn--omr06vg8k1ys.com edit

  • We have a 2 month old baby and will be travelling to the US next month. There's no way we will get a birth certificate in time, but the city of Ottawa will issue a "travel letter". Judging by the wording of the document, it's for travelling outside the country without a birth certificate.

    Question is, has anyone used one of these recently to travel with their infant to the US and were there any problems?

    I know it should be ok since that is the purpose of the letter, but just want to make sure.

    Thanks.


  • I agree that this is increasingly becoming policy (although when travelling alone with either/both of our young children, neither my wife nor I have ever been asked for any documentation), but it's just about the stupidest make-work feel-good programme. Who's to say that I didn't fake my wife's signature, for example?

    Believe or not, the notary who's supposed to notarize the letter from your wife! I've not taken the miniMurm's across a border solo but my wife now gets a notarized letter with my signature to carry with her - nice having a notary in the organization.


  • I travelled to the US with a letter from the hospital noting that my wife, ABC, gave birth to a son named XX on DD/MM/YYYY.

    No problems with US immigration. They understand that it takes time to get the birth certificates. Just make sure you have your passport and the name matches the letter from the hospital, or city clerk.


  • Suggest that you'll check this Foreign Affairs Canada web site for guidance:

    http://www.voyage.gc.ca/main/pubs/usa_bound-en.asp

    Or ring the American Consulate for instructions at 1 900 451 2778. This is NOT a toll free number and there is a charge, I believe of $2.25/minute.


  • be aware that if one parent is travelling solo with a child, US INS and Cdn C&I have been increasingly picky the past few years about what sort of documentation they expect proving that you have the other parent's agreement. My four-year-old is regularly asked by INS to point to his mommy and daddy - he now goes along with the exercise but was initially confused as to "why the policeman couldn't see you daddy?".

    I agree that this is increasingly becoming policy (although when travelling alone with either/both of our young children, neither my wife nor I have ever been asked for any documentation), but it's just about the stupidest make-work feel-good programme. Who's to say that I didn't fake my wife's signature, for example?


  • When my daughter was about 3 months old we went to Atlanta and used the birth record issued by the hospital, as suggested in the link that KVS left. No problems whatsoever.

    Congratulations and enjoy your trip!


  • This should help:
    Q: I am traveling with an infant (Canadian citizen), and we have not yet received the birth certificate. What alternatives are there? (http://help.customs.gov/cgi-bin/customs.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=724&p_created=1074179159&p_sid=G_18gVzh&p_lva=&p_sp=&p_li=&p_topview=1)


  • We have a 2 month old baby and will be travelling to the US next month. There's no way we will get a birth certificate in time, but the city of Ottawa will issue a "travel letter". Judging by the wording of the document, it's for travelling outside the country without a birth certificate.

    Question is, has anyone used one of these recently to travel with their infant to the US and were there any problems?

    I know it should be ok since that is the purpose of the letter, but just want to make sure.

    Thanks.

    City of Toronto does something similar - the "Travel Letter" is actually the Division Registrar's Statement confirming registration of the birth. I don't know anyone who's used that exclusively - most people I know have then taken that letter and used it in lieu of a birth certificate (7 months and counting - way to go Province of Ontario!) to get a passport for the infant, which although not strictly required by US INS, will be handy if you head further abroad. You get a one-year passport which will be extended into a 3-year once you receive the birth certificate.

    You need photos, but Costco does a nice job for about the best price, and they shoot digital so that they can take lots and lots of shots of the baby to get it "just right" - no smile, no glasses, not too bright, no shadows blah blah blah.

    You've said "we" up there, suggesting that both parents will be with the infant - be aware that if one parent is travelling solo with a child, US INS and Cdn C&I have been increasingly picky the past few years about what sort of documentation they expect proving that you have the other parent's agreement. My four-year-old is regularly asked by INS to point to his mommy and daddy - he now goes along with the exercise but was initially confused as to "why the policeman couldn't see you daddy?".

    Have a good trip
    MMD







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