That wasn’t the requirement of customs, that was the note from the kid’s school. I’m thinking that it should have read “Original birth certificate or notorized copy with a raised seal”.
I completly agree, but since I can’t flap my arms and fly myself to Canada, if they won’t let me on the flippin airplane. Because the airline requires a passport for me to get into Canada what I need at US Imigration to return is moot don’t you think? (since I all ready will have the preferred form of ID with me)
This is why I named the airlines in question, AND posted Your Mileage May Vary. Maybe United and Air Canada are the only two airlines in the US to have this rule. What other airlines require, I have no clue. I can only report on what I have experienced on my 20 trips to Vancouver BC since 9/11.
On birth certs, in California certified copies have an ugly purple ink stamp, but no raised seal. I know this because I had to get one with the stamp to get my passport
Exactly right. Fierra has a Kansas driver’s license, and she is a UK citizen.
True, but the airlines add their own rules to the governmental ones, because they have to bear the cost of deportation if the passenger has insufficient ID.
Thanks to all of you who responded, it’s been an informative and interesting read today!
I’m still just curious about the picture I.D. if driver’s licenses don’t mean anything. My son doesn’t have a driver’s license anyway, so it wouldn’t matter. I’m drawing a blank as to what to show for him.
I’m thinking, maybe it’s better to go through with the passports, just to be on the safe side. The comment about getting back into the states is weighing on my mind, and hey, even if I never go anywhere else, something about just HAVING a passport, makes me SOUND international, even if I’m not!! 
Muchas gracias,
Yes, get the passports. Anytime you are going to another country, you should bring your passport. You may not necessarily need it, but if a situation comes up and you do need it and you don’t have one you’re screwed.
A tip (I just got a passport), if you have a digital camera, and a photo printer, try do take the pictures yourself - some places will charge up to $15 just to take your pictures. Here is the page for info, and further links will give specifics for photos. You need 2, and they need to be 2" x 2".
My passport cost $85, and it will take 6 or so weeks to arrive, plan accordingly.
For your son just bring his birth cert. and a letter from the father listed on the cert., if there is one. The letter should just state that he is aware that his child is being taken out of the country and that it is ok. For yourself just bring your drivers lic. and a birth certificate (just in case). I live 5 mins from the Canadian border and cross all the time. You may not be asked for any id at all but it’s better to ber over prepared.
You won’t have any trouble getting back into the states.
Depending on where you are crossing be prepared to have a considerable wait time. Our crossing has no lines ever but many places can have a wait of an hour or more if it’s a holiday weeked.
BTW, get some Canadian money before entering. The rate you get may not be quite as good but it’s better to have some in hand instead of trying to find a bank at 11pm when you need gas
Credit cards work, if you forgot to get cash. Their rates aren’t much worse than you’d get at a bank, and it’s zero hassle. Most businesses close to the border will take US$, too, though they’ll ding you a few extra cents on the dollar.
That isn’t to say that it isn’t a good idea to change some money beforehand, just that it’s no big deal if you don’t get around to it.
Does anyone know if Canadians born in “evil” countries are still being fingerprinted at the border (no matter how long they’ve been Canadian citizens or if they hold political office)?