Crossing the border with children born abroad

[philoeg]

I am a Canadian citizen living in the U.S, and am married to an American. We are planning to move to Canada and have just received the approval letter for my American wife's permanent residency in Canada. As such we now have only five weeks left before we must move to Canada.

While my wife's application was in process we had our first child. I know that because I am a Canadian and was born in Canada our child will be a Canadian citizen. However, we will need to cross the border into Canada before we have our child's Canadian Citizenship documentation or any sort of Canadian passport for the child.

We do have an American passport for our child. Does anyone know if the American passport will suffice to get our child across the border the same time my wife immigrates? Can we then apply for her Canadian citizenship documents once we are there, or should we rush and apply for her citizenship papers before we try to cross the border in a few weeks?

Any help anyone can provide would be most appreciated!

 

[Creampop]

you are correct your child has dual citizenship I had 2 children in the US (now ages 9 and 7) I never had a problem crossing with either of them and I have never gotten a passport for either. The best document you can have is the birth certificate with you listed as the father. my youngest son is 3 months old in the picture on his citizenship card which i find ridiculous cus he looks nothing like he did then now lol anyways all u hafta do is fill out a app attach the child's birth certificate and proof of your citizenship to the app and send in 2 passport like but not passport like photos and they will send you a citizenship card.... the law has changed some but looks like you will still be ok to get a card for your child... I'm sure you will have no problem getting your child across and obtaining a citizenship card. I had a link for you but it said I wasn't allowed to post links :'( but there is a page on CIC website just search child born abroad...

 

[philoeg]

I agree the pictures of infants are ridiculous.... my daughter does not look the same as she did three weeks ago!!

The crux of my question is whether when we cross into Canada to live permantly they will give us a hard time with our daughter not having any specific proof of Canadian citizenship (other than my name listed on her birth certificate). As far as I know Americans can be in Canada for up to 6 months without a Visa, so during that time I'm planning on getting all of my daughter's Canadian citizenship ducks in a row. -I'm just not sure how the border crossing will go....

 

[Creampop]

The only proof you have is your name on her birth certificate its the only document other then your birth certificate proving your Canadian that your gonna hafta send in. you could also pay the 75 dollar fee online and print the receipt out and take it with you that would prove that you have the intent of filing for her citizenship card. But IMHO you should have no problems crossing. she is already a citizen you just need the card...