Canada and the US have a long tradition of being good neighbors to each other. At one time, US citizens could cross the border with nothing more than a driver’s license. However, in recent years the laws have changed, leaving many confused.
Do you need a passport to go to Canada? In all likelihood, yes. Since June 1, 2009, the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) has required that Americans traveling to Canada by land or by sea carry one of the following documents as proof of citizenship:
- A US passport book
- A US passport card
- A NEXUS, SENTRI or FAST card
- An enhanced driver’s license (only available in certain states)
The only exceptions are for children and people on “closed-loop” cruises. Children under the age of 16 can use their birth certificates, naturalization certificates or certificates of citizenship instead of a passport if they are traveling by land or by sea.
Children under the age of 19 can use birth certificates, too, provided they are traveling with an organized group such as a school group, church group, sports team, volunteer group or cultural organization. The group must be supervised by an adult and carry a letter on organization letterhead that contains the name of the group, the names of the supervising adult and the children, and a signed statement certifying that parental permission has been obtained for all children on the trip.
Americans traveling to Canada on a closed-loop cruise (one that begins and ends in the same US port) can travel with their driver’s licenses or state -issued ID cards and their birth certificates or naturalization certificates.
Now, if you traveling to Canada by plane, the rules are different. You need a passport book (the passport card won’t cut it), and there are no exceptions, even for children. Even if you are traveling by land or by sea, it’s a good idea to use a passport book in case you have to fly home unexpectedly.
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Tags: Canada, Canada travel, FAQ's
[...] New passport laws for Canada are now in effect as of June 1, 2009. Please see this updated post for the latest [...]
January 17th, 2010 at 11:19 pm[...] At 5,525 miles long, the US/Canadian border is the longest border in the world. Not all of that border is paved-some is mountain wilderness, some of it empty prairie, and some of the border runs along the Great Lakes. If you are crossing from Canada into the United States at a border crossing in a populated area, you need a US passport, passport card or another document that’s compliant with the World Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). For more details, see Do I Need a Passport to Go to Canada? [...]
March 21st, 2010 at 3:53 pmMy U.S. passport expires 12 July 2011. We are travelling to Canada on April 15, 2011. Will we be ok?
April 12th, 2011 at 7:28 pmHi Karen,
Yes, you should be fine. Have a great trip!
April 13th, 2011 at 1:15 pmDO I NEED A PASSPORT FOR MY KIDS UNDER 16?
May 27th, 2011 at 12:16 pmWE ARE TRAVELLING FROM THE US TO CANADA BY CAR.
THANKS.
Hi Charles,
As long as they are under 16 and you are traveling by car, you can bring their birth certificates with you instead.
Have a great day!
May 27th, 2011 at 10:11 pmi am traveling by train from DC to ont canada will i need a passport and what eles?
May 29th, 2011 at 3:41 pmDC = washington DC
May 29th, 2011 at 4:07 pmHi Michelle,
As long as you’re traveling by train, you can use a passport, passport card or an Enhanced driver’s license with an RFID chip (assuming they are offered in your state). If you’re a member of a trusted traveler program like NEXUS, FAST or SENTRI, you can also use those cards for land travel to Canada.
June 2nd, 2011 at 8:10 pmHi Mr/Mrs
June 16th, 2011 at 10:07 amI want to travel to Canada on Jul02,11. Can I use greencard to travel to Canada.Thanks
Tuan
Hi Tuan,
Yes, you should be fine with your permanent resident card. Have a great trip!
June 23rd, 2011 at 9:59 pmHello!
I want to surprise my parents with an Alaskan cruise in June 2012. The ship leaves from Seattle and returns to Seattle. Will they need passports?
Thanks!
July 4th, 2011 at 8:41 amKimberly
Hi Kimberly!
You are an awesome daughter! If the cruise stops in Canada, Your parents should be okay without passports, so long as they have driver’s licenses and certified copies of their birth certificates, with raised seals. That said, you should double-check with the cruise line to make sure you know what their boarding requirements are.
July 6th, 2011 at 8:32 pmwe are traveling from Vermont to Michigan via canada & wish to bring a friend w/us. She does not have a passport and her state, N.H.does not offer an enhanced driver,s liscense. She has a copy of her birth certificate and a current New Hampshire driver,s liscense. Can she travel with us?
July 21st, 2011 at 2:59 pmHi Kate,
Technically, she needs a passport or a passport card. She will probably be able to cross into Canada with her birth certificate and license but could possibly be detained temporarily when trying to re-enter the US.
August 4th, 2011 at 11:19 amWe are going to travel from US to Canada by car at Buffalo, New York tomorrow 08/12/11. My 2 kids at age 6 and
10 ( less than 16). Their passport just expired in june, 2011. Can I bring their birth certificates to cross the border with us. Thanks for your quick response.
VT
August 11th, 2011 at 8:59 pmYes, since they are under 16. You and your wife will need a passport, passport card, NEXUS card or enhanced driver’s license in order to return to the US.
August 13th, 2011 at 12:17 pmHi, We are driving to Canada from our home in the US and then driving back do we need a passport?
August 21st, 2011 at 5:54 pmHi Alan,
To avoid delays at the border, you’ll need either a passport, a passport card, an enhanced driver’s license (if available in your state) or a NEXUS frequent traveler card. I hope this helps!
August 21st, 2011 at 8:55 pm[...] For more information on passport requirements for Canadian travel, see Do You Need a Passport to Go to Canada? [...]
August 21st, 2011 at 9:26 pmGoing on vacation to montreal this friday and realized my passport is expreired…should I cancel or bring extra documentation and wing it. (Husband and kids have valid passports–we are driving through vermont)
August 30th, 2011 at 4:07 pmthanks!
Holly
Hi Holly,
If you’re a US citizen, you actually don’t need a passport to enter Canada as long as you bring a driver’s license and your birth certificate. They’ll let you in with just that. However, getting back into the US is where you may run into problems. Under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, you’re supposed to have a passport, a passport card, and enhanced driver’s license or a NEXUS card to get back into the US. We can’t recommend that you enter Canada without the documentation the law requires. However, if you don’t have a valid passport, they can’t block you from entering the US since you are a citizen. What they may do is detain you while they verify your citizenship, so if you choose to go that route expect delays on the way back.
It’d be better if you had a valid passport or a passport card. Are you passing close to St. Albans? There is a passport agency there that might be able to help, though you will need an appointment and they do have quite limited operating hours: http://travel.state.gov/passport/npic/agencies/agencies_5345.html We also have an option for 24 hour processing. Whatever you decide, good luck, and I hope you and your family enjoy your vacation!
August 30th, 2011 at 9:44 pm[...] Do You Need a Passport to Go to Canada? [...]
October 20th, 2011 at 10:22 pm[...] Do You Need a Passport to Go to Canada? [...]
November 27th, 2011 at 8:22 amI want to plan a trip to Canada in May 2012, to visit Niagara Falls. I want to ride the Amtrak. My son will be 13 at the time. What will we need? If I understand you right. I will need a passport or Nexus card, which is better? And my son wont need anything but birth certificate? my son has a state issued ID however I do not think it is the enhanced one you described.
December 15th, 2011 at 11:32 pmHi Amanda,
You’re taking Amtrak, so you can actually get either a passport or a passport card. The passport card is cheaper- $55 vs. $135. However, it’s only valid for land or sea travel to Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. You cannot use it for air travel. So, really, a passport book is better because there aren’t any restrictions on where you can go with it, but if you’re short on funds a passport card will work for the itinerary you’ve described.
A NEXUS card is another option but it requires a background check and a personal interview with border control officials, so unless you’re planning to drive back and forth from Canada frequently it’s probably not worth the extra hassle.
Hope this helps!
December 16th, 2011 at 10:32 pmThanks so much. What will my 13 year old need?
December 17th, 2011 at 10:39 pmHi Amanda,
Sorry, I neglected to answer that part of your question, didn’t I?
You just need to bring his birth certificate and he should be fine. Have a great trip!
December 18th, 2011 at 8:42 pmAmanda,
December 27th, 2011 at 3:38 pmWe are planning to drive to Canada from the US as we have done for years. We thought only our kids 18 and over needed passports. Dad is US Citize; Mom is Canadian Citizen with green card, we both have passports. Kids are 14 and 17 with birth certificates and photo ID. Will we be okay with that?
Hi Douglas,
The 14-year-old will definitely be OK. The 17 year old technically should have a passport to return to the US, though he or she won’t need one to get into Canada. Crossing back over the border, CBP can decide whether to let you through with just the birth certificate or hold you temporarily while they verify the 17-year-old’s citizenship, but they cannot refuse to let a US citizen cross the border.
Hope this helps!
December 28th, 2011 at 6:50 pmHi! I want to travel to Canada this weekend. But i only have philippine passport, do i need my greencard to get in too? Thank!
January 9th, 2012 at 7:02 pmHi Michelle,
Yes, you’ll need your green card as well. Have a great trip!
January 11th, 2012 at 10:47 pmDoes my 17 year old daughter need a passport? We are going from the U.S. to Canada by car.
January 24th, 2012 at 1:27 amThank you
Hi Tanya,
Technically, since she’s over 16 she needs a passport, a passport card, an enhanced driver’s license (if your state offers them) or membership in a trusted traveler program like NEXUS, FAST or SENTRI to get back into the US from Canada. Thanks, and have a great trip!
January 25th, 2012 at 9:09 pm