B.C. bound? Don't forget to pack your passport

U.S. citizens may get into Canada with a birth certificate and picture ID.

But they'll need more than that to get back home.

Such inconsistencies could result in hassles for unprepared Americans traveling to British Columbia by car, train or boat during the Winter Olympic Games next month.

Officials with the Canada Border Services Agency say that while they try to inform visitors about the U.S. government's re-entry requirements, it's not their duty to ensure every American coming into Canada has the appropriate documents to get home.

"It's our responsibility to make sure people meet admissibility requirements for Canada," spokeswoman Faith St. John said. "As long as they meet those ... "

U.S. regulations that took effect last June require all visitors entering or re-entering the United States by land or sea to present a valid passport or other approved secure document: a passport card, an enhanced driver's license or what's known as a "trusted traveler" card, such as a NEXUS card.

There are a few exceptions — including for active-duty service people traveling with military orders, and legal permanent residents, who must use their green cards.

According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, travelers have largely been compliant — 98 percent along the northern border, higher among Canadians than Americans.

Even so, "We still have a person or two who shows up without proper travel documents; they may have a driver's license and birth certificate, which is all they need to enter Canada," said Chief Thomas Schreiber of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Blaine. But it's not enough to re-enter the U.S.

While the U.S. can't very well leave Americans stranded in Canada, those whose citizenship can't be easily confirmed are often forced to endure the sometimes-long lines and further questioning of a secondary inspection.

"Obviously, we're not in the business of preventing U.S. citizens and lawful residents from returning home," Schreiber said.

Schreiber himself tells of traveling not long ago to Victoria with his wife and his mother-in-law, who was visiting from out of town, and realizing upon their return to the U.S. that his mother-in-law didn't have her passport.

"So you can work that to your advantage sometimes," he joked.

Summerlike crowds?

Together the U.S. and Canada have been trying to get the word out about what's required to cross the border in both directions for the Games, which run between Feb. 12 and 28. Neither has a good handle on the number of people who might be traveling by train, car or even vessel from the U.S. into Canada.

St. John said the Canada Border Services Agency is prepared to accommodate the 1 million or so people it normally might process during a busy summer month.

Schreiber, of Border Protection, points out that the Games are occurring during what is traditionally a slow time of the year at the border, and he expects Americans attending the Games — at least those living relatively close to the border — to return home late in the day, when traffic is even lighter.

He expects border traffic to average "no more than a busy summer day."

"We believe most people will fly into Vancouver," said Joanne Ferreira, Border Protection's spokeswoman in Washington, D.C.

"We expect some will fly to Seattle and drive to Vancouver. We believe there's a huge number of travelers in the Northwest region who will drive through Seattle to get to Vancouver. Our message to them all is to have proper documents to get back home."

The right documents

Regardless of how they plan to get to Canada, U.S. citizens don't need a passport to enter. They may use their birth certificates or naturalization certificates along with photo ID. Legal permanent residents of the U.S. may use their green cards.

But those same Americans will need more than a birth certificate to get home.

If they are flying back, the only acceptable document is a passport. But if they are traveling by land or sea, a passport card would do, as would an enhanced driver's license or a NEXUS card or other trusted-traveler card.

There are times when Americans show up at the border with none of these documents, Schreiber said.

In such instances, officers try to determine if the person is a lawful U.S. citizen or permanent resident by asking for a birth certificate and ID or to see whatever documents they may have used to get into Canada in the first place.

"When we encounter someone whose ID can't be firmly established, we compare them against the FBI database," which includes digital fingerprints.

"A lot of times these are people who are fugitives from the law."

Why some don't get in

Travelers who are inadmissible to Canada because of a criminal background shouldn't expect to get a break just because they may have a ticket to the Games, St. John said.

Foreign nationals can be refused admission for any reason — including a DUI conviction with a blood-alcohol reading in excess of .08, reckless or dangerous driving, drug possession or trafficking, shoplifting or fraud.

"Rejections occur every day at the border," she said. "It's not going to be any different during the Olympics."

She suggests travelers to the Games do some research before heading to Canada.

What you are trying to bring into Canada might also create a hassle at the border — including importing certain kinds of fruit or vegetables, large sums of money or weapons.

"Firearms is an area where we provide that warning — especially to Americans," St. John said, noting that Canada's firearm laws are different from those in the U.S. Travelers who fail to declare that they are carrying a weapon could be prosecuted and risk losing both the weapon and their vehicle.

As for the money, it you're carrying $10,000 or more, you are required to declare it to border officials.

"It's not illegal to bring it in; you won't be taxed on it," St. John said. "You just need to report it."

Lornet Turnbull: 206-464-2420 or lturnbull@seattletimes.com