Entry stamps in US passports

[ryna 132]

I was reading a few posts regarding proof of legal entry into the U.S. (for AOS purposes) and that those who don't receive I-94s (i.e., Canadians) should use their entry stamp as proof of legal entry into the U.S. But, I noticed that some people said they don't get their passports stamped upon entry.

I remember in the old days when a USC could travel to some places with just a birth certificate and a picture ID they, of course, didn't stamp either of those, but ever since the passport rules went into effect, I've never returned to the U.S.from anywhere without getting a stamp placed in my passport.

Are there POEs that don't stamp passports? Just curious because it seems odd to me that a non-USC could enter w/o receiving a stamp when a USC always gets one. Well, I always have anyways....

[Not a Tailor 1,370]

I've never had my passport stamped at the land entry at either Buffalo or Detroit. (Canadian citizen)

[ryna 132]

Strange... Maybe it's just a ploy to fill up US passports faster so we have to pay for new pages more often.

[Not a Tailor 1,370]

So a US passport gets stamped by US border services when they enter the US?

[Pitaya 2,577]

So a US passport gets stamped by US border services when they enter the US?

My USC passport used to be stamped infrequently by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at my US POE after foreign travel. Lately, I have noticed that CBP has more routinely been stamping my passport at my US POE after foreign travel. A lot may depend on the mode of travel and the particular US POE.

YMMV.

Edited April 12, 2014 by A&B

[Not a Tailor 1,370]

Oh that's SO weird. I've never had Canadian border services do that to me. Man sometimes it's the little things that make me realize how different our two countries really are.

[Pitaya 2,577]

Or maybe because it is "the times they are a changin.'" I have visited Victoria BC on numerous occasions, by land (via ferry), and air, and usually found the respective countries' border agents pretty laid back. However, the last time to Victoria, I was GRILLED by a very strident female Canadian border agent for over an hour about my intending visit. I think that she was having a bad day, and I certainly wasn't going to let her ruin mine, at the start of a nice trip to Victoria. I was on my way in an hour or so... Was the difference in attitude due to a directive from Ottawa, or was it a personal thing? I would like to think that it was the latter, rather then the former.

I have heard the similar sort of story from Canadian friends encountering US CBP agents.... discussed over a pint or two of microbrews...

YMMV.

Edited April 12, 2014 by A&B

[Anonymous885 44]

I never got stamped on my US passport so I think it depends on the officer. It could be that they enter your info in the computer is enough without needing the passport stamp. You can ask officer to stamp your passport next time at Passport Control.

I requested my records from CBP last July and they sent me an email that says they denied my request. However, I received a package in mail from CBP that contains all my trips in and out of US.

[novedsac 355]

I haven't had a US stamp in my passport for the past few years, something like 40 entries or so. Good, I'd rather save the space for entry stamps into other countries.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

I think they are less likely to do it at a land crossing. Air crossing, yes.

[ryna 132]

I get one every time which is why I found it curious. I'd rather save some of my pages too, since each trip to Colombia sets me back an entire passport page -- 3 from Colombia (entry stamp, exit stamp and departure tax exemption stamp) and one when I get back to the U.S.

[CanGirl 95]

I (Canadian citizen) only have 1 US stamp in my passport from an air crossing. The other times both air and land I didn't get any stamps.

I suspect they see the stamps from Columbia and want to stamp it to show the date that you returned maybe.

[ryna 132]

I don't know... It did come in handy when I had to compile a list of all my foreign travel and all of my trips had entry stamps so I didn't have to piece it together through boarding passes, etc...

[novedsac 355]

Global Entry does not stamp passport with US entry stamps. One time years ago

US immigration stamped my passport and the date was incorrect by a few days - I pointed it out to the officer and his response wasn't pleasant.

[Citygirlbeachboy 4]

My experience has been: 1) driving across the border from Canada to US, no stamp ever entered and 2) flying out of Pearson airport - Toronto - sometimes stamped, sometimes not