Which forms of Canadian ID are accepted in the US? [closed]
I am a Canadian citizen. In Canada, our driver license can be used as a primary photo ID almost everywhere.
If I don't want to show my passport, can my British Coloumbia driver license be used as primary photo ID in US?
PS: I will be studying in the US and I plan to put my passport in the security box at the bank and decide not to carry it around with me.
Even going to Universal Studios might require a valid piece of photo ID. What are the IDs I can use in US?
usa canada paperwork canadian-citizens identity-cards
edited Aug 22 '16 at 5:15
hippietrail
46k41209535
asked Aug 21 '16 at 15:41
randyrandy
1111
closed as off-topic by DJClayworth, Jan, Some wandering yeti, Rory Alsop, Greg Hewgill Aug 21 '16 at 20:17
This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:
- "Questions about immigration or moving for extended periods of time (studies or employment, among others) are off-topic. Our sister site, Expatriates Stack Exchange might be a better place to ask. See also the meta post Is it OK to ask questions about immigration?." – DJClayworth, Jan, Some wandering yeti, Rory Alsop, Greg Hewgill
add a comment |
I am a Canadian citizen. In Canada, our driver license can be used as a primary photo ID almost everywhere.
If I don't want to show my passport, can my British Coloumbia driver license be used as primary photo ID in US?
PS: I will be studying in the US and I plan to put my passport in the security box at the bank and decide not to carry it around with me.
Even going to Universal Studios might require a valid piece of photo ID. What are the IDs I can use in US?
usa canada paperwork canadian-citizens identity-cards
edited Aug 22 '16 at 5:15
hippietrail
46k41209535
asked Aug 21 '16 at 15:41
randyrandy
1111
closed as off-topic by DJClayworth, Jan, Some wandering yeti, Rory Alsop, Greg Hewgill Aug 21 '16 at 20:17
This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:
- "Questions about immigration or moving for extended periods of time (studies or employment, among others) are off-topic. Our sister site, Expatriates Stack Exchange might be a better place to ask. See also the meta post Is it OK to ask questions about immigration?." – DJClayworth, Jan, Some wandering yeti, Rory Alsop, Greg Hewgill
How long are you going to be studying in the US?
– DJClayworth
Aug 21 '16 at 16:26
@DJClayworth, about two years
– randy
Aug 21 '16 at 16:45
1
Can you please edit that into the question. For future reference, we have an Expatriates site which is better suited for this kind of question about long-term residence. I will flag the question to be moved there.
– DJClayworth
Aug 21 '16 at 17:41
BTW, Universal Studios does not require a photo id, but does create a biometric using a finger scan.
– Giorgio
Aug 21 '16 at 17:47
@randy In most states, you're required to get an in-state Driver's License after being resident in the state for more than six months. It's an easy process, as your Canadian ID will just be converted to an American one (no test)
– Matthew Barclay
Mar 2 '18 at 20:43
add a comment |
I am a Canadian citizen. In Canada, our driver license can be used as a primary photo ID almost everywhere.
If I don't want to show my passport, can my British Coloumbia driver license be used as primary photo ID in US?
PS: I will be studying in the US and I plan to put my passport in the security box at the bank and decide not to carry it around with me.
Even going to Universal Studios might require a valid piece of photo ID. What are the IDs I can use in US?
usa canada paperwork canadian-citizens identity-cards
edited Aug 22 '16 at 5:15
hippietrail
46k41209535
asked Aug 21 '16 at 15:41
randyrandy
1111
I am a Canadian citizen. In Canada, our driver license can be used as a primary photo ID almost everywhere.
If I don't want to show my passport, can my British Coloumbia driver license be used as primary photo ID in US?
PS: I will be studying in the US and I plan to put my passport in the security box at the bank and decide not to carry it around with me.
Even going to Universal Studios might require a valid piece of photo ID. What are the IDs I can use in US?
usa canada paperwork canadian-citizens identity-cards
usa canada paperwork canadian-citizens identity-cards
edited Aug 22 '16 at 5:15
hippietrail
46k41209535
asked Aug 21 '16 at 15:41
randyrandy
1111
edited Aug 22 '16 at 5:15
hippietrail
46k41209535
asked Aug 21 '16 at 15:41
randyrandy
1111
edited Aug 22 '16 at 5:15
hippietrail
46k41209535
edited Aug 22 '16 at 5:15
hippietrail
46k41209535
edited Aug 22 '16 at 5:15
hippietrail
46k41209535
46k41209535
asked Aug 21 '16 at 15:41
randyrandy
1111
asked Aug 21 '16 at 15:41
randyrandy
1111
asked Aug 21 '16 at 15:41
randyrandy
1111
1111
closed as off-topic by DJClayworth, Jan, Some wandering yeti, Rory Alsop, Greg Hewgill Aug 21 '16 at 20:17
This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:
- "Questions about immigration or moving for extended periods of time (studies or employment, among others) are off-topic. Our sister site, Expatriates Stack Exchange might be a better place to ask. See also the meta post Is it OK to ask questions about immigration?." – DJClayworth, Jan, Some wandering yeti, Rory Alsop, Greg Hewgill
closed as off-topic by DJClayworth, Jan, Some wandering yeti, Rory Alsop, Greg Hewgill Aug 21 '16 at 20:17
This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:
- "Questions about immigration or moving for extended periods of time (studies or employment, among others) are off-topic. Our sister site, Expatriates Stack Exchange might be a better place to ask. See also the meta post Is it OK to ask questions about immigration?." – DJClayworth, Jan, Some wandering yeti, Rory Alsop, Greg Hewgill
How long are you going to be studying in the US?
– DJClayworth
Aug 21 '16 at 16:26
@DJClayworth, about two years
– randy
Aug 21 '16 at 16:45
1
Can you please edit that into the question. For future reference, we have an Expatriates site which is better suited for this kind of question about long-term residence. I will flag the question to be moved there.
– DJClayworth
Aug 21 '16 at 17:41
BTW, Universal Studios does not require a photo id, but does create a biometric using a finger scan.
– Giorgio
Aug 21 '16 at 17:47
@randy In most states, you're required to get an in-state Driver's License after being resident in the state for more than six months. It's an easy process, as your Canadian ID will just be converted to an American one (no test)
– Matthew Barclay
Mar 2 '18 at 20:43
add a comment |
How long are you going to be studying in the US?
– DJClayworth
Aug 21 '16 at 16:26
@DJClayworth, about two years
– randy
Aug 21 '16 at 16:45
1
Can you please edit that into the question. For future reference, we have an Expatriates site which is better suited for this kind of question about long-term residence. I will flag the question to be moved there.
– DJClayworth
Aug 21 '16 at 17:41
BTW, Universal Studios does not require a photo id, but does create a biometric using a finger scan.
– Giorgio
Aug 21 '16 at 17:47
@randy In most states, you're required to get an in-state Driver's License after being resident in the state for more than six months. It's an easy process, as your Canadian ID will just be converted to an American one (no test)
– Matthew Barclay
Mar 2 '18 at 20:43
How long are you going to be studying in the US?
– DJClayworth
Aug 21 '16 at 16:26
How long are you going to be studying in the US?
– DJClayworth
Aug 21 '16 at 16:26
@DJClayworth, about two years
– randy
Aug 21 '16 at 16:45
@DJClayworth, about two years
– randy
Aug 21 '16 at 16:45
1
1
Can you please edit that into the question. For future reference, we have an Expatriates site which is better suited for this kind of question about long-term residence. I will flag the question to be moved there.
– DJClayworth
Aug 21 '16 at 17:41
Can you please edit that into the question. For future reference, we have an Expatriates site which is better suited for this kind of question about long-term residence. I will flag the question to be moved there.
– DJClayworth
Aug 21 '16 at 17:41
BTW, Universal Studios does not require a photo id, but does create a biometric using a finger scan.
– Giorgio
Aug 21 '16 at 17:47
BTW, Universal Studios does not require a photo id, but does create a biometric using a finger scan.
– Giorgio
Aug 21 '16 at 17:47
@randy In most states, you're required to get an in-state Driver's License after being resident in the state for more than six months. It's an easy process, as your Canadian ID will just be converted to an American one (no test)
– Matthew Barclay
Mar 2 '18 at 20:43
@randy In most states, you're required to get an in-state Driver's License after being resident in the state for more than six months. It's an easy process, as your Canadian ID will just be converted to an American one (no test)
– Matthew Barclay
Mar 2 '18 at 20:43
add a comment |
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
My experience, first and second hand, is that it depends. Some places in the US, especially those used to dealing with foreigners, will accept a foreign (especially Canadian) drivers license as ID. However there are likely to be quite a few that won't. I've even been in restaurants where the only allowed foreign document to prove age for alcohol purchase was a passport. (We weren't in there long.)
Assuming you are enrolled in an official course of study, this shouldn't be a problem however. Almost all education establishments issue student ID cards, which should suffice as photo ID. If that's not the case, you might consider looking into some other form of government ID. Some states issue cards purely for the purpose of identification.
If you are staying in the US for two years, you might want to consider getting a drivers license for the state you are going to be studying in.
answered Aug 21 '16 at 16:34
DJClayworthDJClayworth
34.6k790126
2
In my experience, student ID cards are generally not accepted as photo ID by anyone except the institution itself. Particularly not for alcohol purchases.
– Nate Eldredge
Aug 21 '16 at 18:11
I agree. Student ID cards aren't usually considered to be "government ID" even when issued by a public university.
– Dennis
Aug 21 '16 at 18:40
"foreign driver's license": from what country? In many contexts, Canadian licenses are acceptable where those from other foreign countries are not, including when passing the TSA security check to board an airplane.
– phoog
Aug 23 '16 at 16:10
add a comment |
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
My experience, first and second hand, is that it depends. Some places in the US, especially those used to dealing with foreigners, will accept a foreign (especially Canadian) drivers license as ID. However there are likely to be quite a few that won't. I've even been in restaurants where the only allowed foreign document to prove age for alcohol purchase was a passport. (We weren't in there long.)
Assuming you are enrolled in an official course of study, this shouldn't be a problem however. Almost all education establishments issue student ID cards, which should suffice as photo ID. If that's not the case, you might consider looking into some other form of government ID. Some states issue cards purely for the purpose of identification.
If you are staying in the US for two years, you might want to consider getting a drivers license for the state you are going to be studying in.
answered Aug 21 '16 at 16:34
DJClayworthDJClayworth
34.6k790126
2
In my experience, student ID cards are generally not accepted as photo ID by anyone except the institution itself. Particularly not for alcohol purchases.
– Nate Eldredge
Aug 21 '16 at 18:11
I agree. Student ID cards aren't usually considered to be "government ID" even when issued by a public university.
– Dennis
Aug 21 '16 at 18:40
"foreign driver's license": from what country? In many contexts, Canadian licenses are acceptable where those from other foreign countries are not, including when passing the TSA security check to board an airplane.
– phoog
Aug 23 '16 at 16:10
add a comment |
My experience, first and second hand, is that it depends. Some places in the US, especially those used to dealing with foreigners, will accept a foreign (especially Canadian) drivers license as ID. However there are likely to be quite a few that won't. I've even been in restaurants where the only allowed foreign document to prove age for alcohol purchase was a passport. (We weren't in there long.)
Assuming you are enrolled in an official course of study, this shouldn't be a problem however. Almost all education establishments issue student ID cards, which should suffice as photo ID. If that's not the case, you might consider looking into some other form of government ID. Some states issue cards purely for the purpose of identification.
If you are staying in the US for two years, you might want to consider getting a drivers license for the state you are going to be studying in.
answered Aug 21 '16 at 16:34
DJClayworthDJClayworth
34.6k790126
2
In my experience, student ID cards are generally not accepted as photo ID by anyone except the institution itself. Particularly not for alcohol purchases.
– Nate Eldredge
Aug 21 '16 at 18:11
I agree. Student ID cards aren't usually considered to be "government ID" even when issued by a public university.
– Dennis
Aug 21 '16 at 18:40
"foreign driver's license": from what country? In many contexts, Canadian licenses are acceptable where those from other foreign countries are not, including when passing the TSA security check to board an airplane.
– phoog
Aug 23 '16 at 16:10
add a comment |
My experience, first and second hand, is that it depends. Some places in the US, especially those used to dealing with foreigners, will accept a foreign (especially Canadian) drivers license as ID. However there are likely to be quite a few that won't. I've even been in restaurants where the only allowed foreign document to prove age for alcohol purchase was a passport. (We weren't in there long.)
Assuming you are enrolled in an official course of study, this shouldn't be a problem however. Almost all education establishments issue student ID cards, which should suffice as photo ID. If that's not the case, you might consider looking into some other form of government ID. Some states issue cards purely for the purpose of identification.
If you are staying in the US for two years, you might want to consider getting a drivers license for the state you are going to be studying in.
answered Aug 21 '16 at 16:34
DJClayworthDJClayworth
34.6k790126
My experience, first and second hand, is that it depends. Some places in the US, especially those used to dealing with foreigners, will accept a foreign (especially Canadian) drivers license as ID. However there are likely to be quite a few that won't. I've even been in restaurants where the only allowed foreign document to prove age for alcohol purchase was a passport. (We weren't in there long.)
Assuming you are enrolled in an official course of study, this shouldn't be a problem however. Almost all education establishments issue student ID cards, which should suffice as photo ID. If that's not the case, you might consider looking into some other form of government ID. Some states issue cards purely for the purpose of identification.
If you are staying in the US for two years, you might want to consider getting a drivers license for the state you are going to be studying in.
answered Aug 21 '16 at 16:34
DJClayworthDJClayworth
34.6k790126
edited Aug 23 '16 at 16:11
answered Aug 21 '16 at 16:34
DJClayworthDJClayworth
34.6k790126
answered Aug 21 '16 at 16:34
DJClayworthDJClayworth
34.6k790126
answered Aug 21 '16 at 16:34
DJClayworthDJClayworth
34.6k790126
34.6k790126
2
In my experience, student ID cards are generally not accepted as photo ID by anyone except the institution itself. Particularly not for alcohol purchases.
– Nate Eldredge
Aug 21 '16 at 18:11
I agree. Student ID cards aren't usually considered to be "government ID" even when issued by a public university.
– Dennis
Aug 21 '16 at 18:40
"foreign driver's license": from what country? In many contexts, Canadian licenses are acceptable where those from other foreign countries are not, including when passing the TSA security check to board an airplane.
– phoog
Aug 23 '16 at 16:10
add a comment |
2
In my experience, student ID cards are generally not accepted as photo ID by anyone except the institution itself. Particularly not for alcohol purchases.
– Nate Eldredge
Aug 21 '16 at 18:11
I agree. Student ID cards aren't usually considered to be "government ID" even when issued by a public university.
– Dennis
Aug 21 '16 at 18:40
"foreign driver's license": from what country? In many contexts, Canadian licenses are acceptable where those from other foreign countries are not, including when passing the TSA security check to board an airplane.
– phoog
Aug 23 '16 at 16:10
2
2
In my experience, student ID cards are generally not accepted as photo ID by anyone except the institution itself. Particularly not for alcohol purchases.
– Nate Eldredge
Aug 21 '16 at 18:11
In my experience, student ID cards are generally not accepted as photo ID by anyone except the institution itself. Particularly not for alcohol purchases.
– Nate Eldredge
Aug 21 '16 at 18:11
I agree. Student ID cards aren't usually considered to be "government ID" even when issued by a public university.
– Dennis
Aug 21 '16 at 18:40
I agree. Student ID cards aren't usually considered to be "government ID" even when issued by a public university.
– Dennis
Aug 21 '16 at 18:40
"foreign driver's license": from what country? In many contexts, Canadian licenses are acceptable where those from other foreign countries are not, including when passing the TSA security check to board an airplane.
– phoog
Aug 23 '16 at 16:10
"foreign driver's license": from what country? In many contexts, Canadian licenses are acceptable where those from other foreign countries are not, including when passing the TSA security check to board an airplane.
– phoog
Aug 23 '16 at 16:10
add a comment |
How long are you going to be studying in the US?
– DJClayworth
Aug 21 '16 at 16:26
@DJClayworth, about two years
– randy
Aug 21 '16 at 16:45
1
Can you please edit that into the question. For future reference, we have an Expatriates site which is better suited for this kind of question about long-term residence. I will flag the question to be moved there.
– DJClayworth
Aug 21 '16 at 17:41
BTW, Universal Studios does not require a photo id, but does create a biometric using a finger scan.
– Giorgio
Aug 21 '16 at 17:47
@randy In most states, you're required to get an in-state Driver's License after being resident in the state for more than six months. It's an easy process, as your Canadian ID will just be converted to an American one (no test)
– Matthew Barclay
Mar 2 '18 at 20:43