Do Canadians need a passport?

Question

I am a 17 year old Canadian who wishes to travel to Chicago for a three day concert. Do I need a passport or are my birth certificate and health card/whatever enough?

I have looked elsewhere but apparently the answer changes depending on your age and why you're going, how long you're going, ect.

Answer 1

You ARE A MINOR and will need notarized permission from both parents and you will have to be escorted to the gate and have some adult waiting for you on the other end.

Likewise if you are driving.

You Do need a passport to fly and as of June 2009 you will need a passport for all entry points

Answer 2

Basically the type of ID you require varies depending on the method you are using to travel.  As stated in the previous answers, to fly you require a valid passport regardless of age.  If however you are being driven or travelling by land (i.e. bus) and are under 19 you require an official birth certificate and, unless you are travelling with both parents, a letter authorizing you to cross the border with whomever you are travelling with.  This letter must indicate the person taking you and be signed by both parents.  If you are travelling with both parents of course you do not require this however if you are travelling with only one, the parent not with you must provide the appropriate letter.  This is true even if one parent has sole custody of you although this can depend on the person at the border.  If you have a passport and are travelling with a parent (same last name though) you can generally go across without the letter (especially if it is your mother you are travelling with) however it is a good idea to have the letter just in case.  Note that once you turn 19 you do not require any letters however you do require a photo ID.

Tentatively new regulations are going into effect on or after June 1, 2009 to require a passport or acceptable alternative form off ID for all travel into the US.  Although still in the developmental and testing stage alternatives that may, or will, be accpeted are the passport card (US citizens only) or an enhanced drivers license.  There are other forms of ID available such as NEXUS cards however these are for frequent travellers and points of entry are restricted to certain locations.

Answer 3

It depends upon your method of travel.  If you're flying into the USA you'll need a passport as well as some form of notorized document from your parents.  If you're going into the States by car/bus you don't need a passport.  You'll still need the notorized document (assuming you're not going with your parents) as well as a birth certificate and some form of photo id.  Without a DL you need to get something, maybe a student ID or provincial ID.  In 2009 it won't matter what method of travel you choose to enter the States, you'll have to have a passport.  (Unless the new President changes their rules)

Answer 4

Not yet.... just birth certificate and driver's license... they have been talking about changing it forever.