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Did you know that you can travel directly to Sidney, B.C. on Vancouver Island, just north of Victoria, B.C., aboard a Washington State Ferry in combination with your trip to the San Juan Islands, April through December? Check out the Washington State Ferry link above for schedule and fare information. WSF recommends making vehicle reservations at least 24 hours in advance by calling 206-464-6400 or 888-808-7977 (WA & BC) or online at the link above.
Passport Update:
Effective January 31, 2008, U.S. and Canadian citizens ages 19 and older should no longer expect that they will be able to prove identity and citizenship by relying on an oral declaration alone. Instead, travelers will be asked to present documents from one of the options below when entering the United States at land or sea ports of entry. Travelers who do not present one of the documents listed below may be delayed as U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers attempt to verify their identity and citizenship.
If you are traveling by AIR between the United States and Canada, you must present a valid passport.
If you are traveling by LAND between the United States and Canada and you are a U.S. or Canadian citizen age 19 or older, you must present either a valid passport or proof of citizenship (such as a birth certificate or naturalization certificate), along with a government-issued photo ID (such as driver's license) as proof of identity.
If you are traveling by SEA (including cruises and ferries) between the United States and Canada and you are a U.S. or Canadian citizen age 19 or older, you must present either a valid passport or proof of citizenship (such as birth certificate or naturalization certificate), along with a government-issed photo ID (such as a driver's license) as proof of identity when entering the United States through sea ports of entry.
One of the following documents should 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
Effective JUNE 1, 2009 The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released the final rule for passport regulations this past week. The final rule requires travelers "to present a passport or other approved secure document denoting citizenship and identity for all land and sea travel into the United States" .
Passports and Enhanced Driver's Licenses (EDLs) have been formally identified as acceptable documentation requirements for land and sea crossings (EDL's are not acceptable for air). Washington State and British Columbia have already begun issuing EDLs to the general public.
For more information on passport requirements for travel to and from Canada click HERE.
For more information on travel flexibility please visit the U.S. Department of State website.
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