Assist me with a trip to Canada?

[Little_Nemo]

@suranyi

No, even a child needs his or her own passport nowadays. We had a get a passport to take our seven-month-old baby to Montreal in July.

Were you flying or driving into Canada? Because the requirements can be different.

According to the Canadian Border Services Agency website:

When you enter Canada, a CBSA officer may ask to see your passport and a valid visa, if one is necessary. If you are a citizen of the United States, you do not need a passport to enter Canada. However, you should carry proof of your citizenship, such as a birth certificate, certificate of citizenship or naturalization, as well as photo identification. If you are a permanent resident of Canada or the U.S, you should bring your Permanent Resident Card with you.

The United States Department of State website adds the following:

Canadian law requires that all persons entering Canada carry both proof of citizenship and proof of identity. A valid U.S. passport, passport card or NEXUS card (see below) satisfies these requirements for U.S. citizens. If U.S. citizen travelers to Canada do not have a passport, passport card or approved alternate document such as a NEXUS card, they must show a government-issued photo ID (e.g. Driver’s License) and proof of U.S. citizenship such as a U.S. birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or expired U.S. passport. Children under 16 need only present proof of U.S. citizenship.

…

When returning to the United States from Canada, it is very important to note that all U.S. citizens are required to present a valid U.S. passport to enter or re-enter the United States via air. For entry into the United States via land and sea borders, U.S. citizens must present either a U.S. passport, passport card, NEXUS card, Enhanced Drivers License or other Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)-compliant document. The only exception to this requirement is for U.S. citizens under the age of 16 (or under 19, if traveling with a school, religious, or other youth group) who need only present a birth certificate (original, photocopy or certified copy), Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or naturalization certificate.

So an adult can drive into Canada with just a birth certificate and a driver’s license. But an adult needs a passport or its equivalent to drive back into the United States. Somebody under the age of 16 can enter Canada and return to the United States via automobile with just a birth certificate.

[loshan]

I live 8 miles south of the border and had no problem at all taking my 12 yo Texan niece to Trail and Nelson, BC last month with nothing but her birth certificate (certified original) and a notarized note from her mother giving her permission to travel with me.

ETA: The border agent also told me that although they will tell you “must” have a passport to return to the US, they cannot deny entry to a citizen. Therefore, even though they don’t like it, they will let you back in with the same driver’s license and birth certificate that got you into Canada.

[Little_Nemo]

@loshan

The border agent also told me that although they will tell you “must” have a passport to return to the US, they cannot deny entry to a citizen. Therefore, even though they don’t like it, they will let you back in with the same driver’s license and birth certificate that got you into Canada.

I’ll admit I was wondering how that would work. (I have a passport and have never been tempted to try to call their bluff.) I sort of figured they would make you report to the nearest consulate and get some kind of emergency passport (at extra expense) before letting you back in.

[Waffle_Decider]

@loshan

ETA: The border agent also told me that although they will tell you “must” have a passport to return to the US, they cannot deny entry to a citizen. Therefore, even though they don’t like it, they will let you back in with the same driver’s license and birth certificate that got you into Canada.

Sure, but only after an intimate encounter with the rubber gloves.

[Cat_Whisperer]

I wouldn’t risk it - I’d just get a passport (and did!). You get the wrong agent on the wrong day who just had a fight with his girlfriend…

[suranyi]

@Little_Nemo

@suranyi

No, even a child needs his or her own passport nowadays. We had a get a passport to take our seven-month-old baby to Montreal in July.

Were you flying or driving into Canada? Because the requirements can be different.

We were flying, and for that a passport is definitely required. You are correct to note that a passport is not always required for crossing the border by car. But the rules are changing all the time, so I personally would just get the passport in that case too.

[Mahaloth]

@suranyi

No, even a child needs his or her own passport nowadays. We had a get a passport to take our seven-month-old baby to Montreal in July.

We enter through Detroit somewhat often(3-4 times a year, anyway) and no passports are required for anyone, even the baby.

They just ask a few questions, we answer honestly, and off we go. We’re only usually there on day trips though. Few days, maybe.

[chizzuk]

@suranyi

@Little_Nemo

Were you flying or driving into Canada? Because the requirements can be different.

We were flying, and for that a passport is definitely required. You are correct to note that a passport is not always required for crossing the border by car. But the rules are changing all the time, so I personally would just get the passport in that case too.

We drove into Canada (via I-81) this past weekend and used passports, but they didn’t ask for them and I don’t know what would have happened had we handed over something else. The sign just said “Have I.D. Ready.” We had no trouble coming or going with US passports (the Canadian border guys actually asked more questions than the American side), but two cars in front of us going into NY with Quebec plates really got hassled and we had to wait for almost 10 minutes behind them while the Border Patrol searched their cars and scrutinized their documents. I don’t know if it was because we were US citizens and they weren’t, but we were prepared to have a hard time seeing what happened to them and instead sailed through in 20 seconds.

[suranyi]

@Mahaloth

@suranyi

No, even a child needs his or her own passport nowadays. We had a get a passport to take our seven-month-old baby to Montreal in July.

We enter through Detroit somewhat often(3-4 times a year, anyway) and no passports are required for anyone, even the baby.

They just ask a few questions, we answer honestly, and off we go. We’re only usually there on day trips though. Few days, maybe.

Have you done it since June 1, 2009? Since then adults, at the very least, need a passport to cross into the U.S. by car.

Cite:

http://www.consular.canada.usembassy.gov/passport_requirement.asp