Border Crossing With My Live Birth Registration
I've been across the US/CA border about 5 times in the last 4 years. I do hold a valid Canadian passport, but I choose to use my Registration of Live Birth, as it is a founding document. Every piece of ID a "PERSON" can have is issued from this Registration of Live Birth. I have never been detained, going into the states by land, or coming back into Canada with my Live Birth. Except for today.
Each time I've crossed, I get the run-around from the border agents. "This could take longer and reeeally inconvenience you and the people you're traveling with" "you will get turned around next time, you NEED a passport" to which I reply, "I was told that this is sufficient ID to cross". So today, I suppose, the agent decided to flex his muscles and try to scare my travel partner and I by asking us to pull over and come on in. We were given a short questionnaire with the same questions we had already answered (are you entering the US for business, do you have anything illigal, cash etc). They wanted to know places of work, how my travel partner and I know each other, what we're traveling for yadda yadda, and briefly searched the car.
The agent asked how I do anything without photo ID, it's so easy to get, how does anyone live without ID. I replied I'm a stay at home mother and all my needs are taken care of. I have no need for ID. They detained us for about 10 minutes before waving us off.
Coming back into Canada the agent barely said anything, just asked if I have a valid passport, to which I replied, this is the ID I'm using today. It is very important to deliberately skirt questions when you can. I am ever respectful and have a smile on my face so it makes it hard for them to be pricks, but have you ever noticed that when you ask them a question it is usually met with another question? Or ambiguous answer at best. Creditors ask questions, debtors answer, so this is a good trick to learn whenever you are dealing with government agents of any kind.
I was given a brochure on "know before you go" rules and policies on traveling. The agent pointed me to page 6, where coincidentally, it clearly states that a birth certificate and photo ID are sufficient to travel by land into the US, so why the run-around? I've been given similar pamphlets in my prior travels advising me to get a passport, but never requiring one.
It is interesting to note that when I acquired my Live Birth from Vital Stats here in Canada, the woman was visibly annoyed, or distressed. I was there with 80 dollars to have it ordered, it's mine, what's the big deal? She asked about 10 questions per minute, I didn't have a chance to formulate answers before there was another question. "What do you need this for? Do you want the original? Will you be working outside the country?" Huh? Will I be working outside the country....interesting I thought, this is some sort of travel document. Another interesting note is that when I visited the passport office 4 years ago to obtain a passport, I brought my live birth as ID. They refused to use it. The clerk asked if I have anything ANYTHING other than a live birth, a business card with my name on it, credit card? Excuse me lady...this is my Live birth, they will take a birth certificate but not a live birth, so what is this identifying? My passport was delivered to my mailbox precisely 5 business days after this encounter, no guarantors or witnesses were called.
You may be wondering, what's the big deal? Why bother? Just bring your passport.
Well, I believe that this is Gods land, not CANADA'S or AMERICA's. I also believe that I am property of God, not CANADA. The main job of these borders is to tax commercial activities and extract as many dollars as they can from innocent men and women. The assumption that everyone is guilty until proven innocent, irks me to my core. The idea of my kids growing up in this fascist, violent, statist society makes me sick. I don't like the idea of being state property, or being treated as such. Border agents have no right to unlawfully detain innocent men and women, and yet they do everyday, at gun point, by force, well not necessarily, most people drive in voluntarily, but how many people would stop if they knew they wouldn't be shot at or unlawfully detained ?
Great article! I was actually wondering where and how to get a certificate of live birth for myself and my family. I appreciate you sharing this information. I think its hilarious that the staff member was visibly annoyed when you requested yours -Aimee
Vital stats in the province you were born in. I had to go to Regina, the main buildings are usually in the capital of each province I believe. You can order online but it's always fun going in and watching them squirm :) 80$ isn't cheap, but neither are passports!
Hi. Interesting thanks. What's the advantage of the Registration of Live Birth vs Passport other than the fact that they don't expect it ...?
Some believe it is identifying a live man or woman, as opposed to a legal person. In my opinion, it is still an admission of citizenship. Ideally It would be cool to see someone with no ID try to cross with a family bible or something, but I'm not confident enough in my knowledge to try that yet.
Haha, yes. Ideally there would be no borders at all ... who's interest are these arbitrary lines in anyway?
Tax collectors!
It is always fun to watch them squirm. We are not the property of Canada or Canadian's. It is amazing to watch when someone knows their stuff and they have to let them go.
Fantastic post!
Yeah, the live birth is still using a name and claiming citizenship, maybe in a different capacity. Have you guys seen this info?http://www.embassyofheaven.com/
These guys have some very interesting border crossing stories just using their bibles or their own ID, I like their way!
I will ask @wwf if he has seen that. I imagine there are ways to cross you just need to know how to do it. Just like what you are doing.