Visitors to Canada urged to have proper ID at border

ALEXANDRIA BAY — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials are urging travelers to bring proper forms of identification when crossing the U.S.-Canadian border as the Labor Day weekend approaches.

"Generally, Labor Day weekend is one of the busiest weekends of the year. And both the CBP and the Canadian customs try to keep more lanes open over the holiday weekend," said Robert G. Horr, executive director of the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority. "And having proper documents available makes everybody's job easier and efficient."

CBP spokesman Kevin A. Corsaro said in a press release that travelers should anticipate periods of heavy traffic at the Wellesley Island crossing over the Labor Day weekend.

Mr. Corsaro also said the agency strongly encourages travelers to obtain a Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative-compliant, radio frequency identification-enabled travel document — including a passport card, an enhanced driver's license or a Trusted Traveler Program card, such as NEXUS, SENTRI or FAST — to expedite their entry.

The closest NEXUS enrollment center to Watertown is at the Hill Island Tourist Center, 662 King's Highway 137, Hill Island, Ontario.

NEXUS card applicants must undergo background checks and submit to face-to-face interviews with U.S. and Canadian authorities at a NEXUS enrollment center, where they are fingerprinted and photographed.

The processing fee for the five-year membership is $50.

Children under age 16 can present a copy of their birth certificate as proof of citizenship. A green card also is an acceptable form of identification.

Travelers can check local border traffic conditions at the CBP Website.

ON THE NET

WHTI website: getyouhome.gov

U.S. Customs and Border Protection: http://apps.cbp.gov/bwt