Do I need a passport to travel by car to Canada from the US?

Question

Do I need a passport to travel by car to Canada from the US?

Answer 1

Presently the ID requirements for travel by land into Canada are less restritive than into the US.  However if you are planning on returning then the ID requirements for entering the US must be met.  In realitity, it is likely that unless you are a Canadian citizen you will be required to provide the same ID coming that you will need to return.

At present the ID required for travel by land is:

A valid Passport

OR

A valid government issued Photo ID such as a Driver's License AND an official birth certificate.

Although the actual date is still not set the Department of Homeland Security has announced that effective June 1, 2009 or shortly thereafter a passport or passport card will be required for all types travel.  There are other ID's being tested such as an enhanced Driver's License which will contain citizenship data similar to a passport that may be acceptable at that time.  However I would suggest that you apply for a passport if you do not already have one as it will meet all of the ID requirements.

Answer 2

Actually, your "Mister Roger's Fan Club" membership card will work just fine.

Answer 3

I believe so; though I think 2 other pieces of photo ID work too. Not sure though.

Answer 4

It all depends on what you have...are u a US citizen and do u have any of the following...

--Trusted Traveler Cards (NEXUS, SENTRI, or FAST)

--State Issued Enhanced Driver’s License

--Enhanced Tribal Cards

--U.S. Military Identification with Military Travel Orders

--U.S. Merchant Mariner Document when traveling in conjunction with official maritime business

--Native American Tribal Photo Identification Card

--Form I-872 American Indian Card

If not than u will need a passport. It's a law.

Here is proof:

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbp...

On the other hand, if you were Canadian coming here u will need a passport.

Answer 5

Not yet - they pushed back the deadline on that. You can just use official id like an drivers license. This is true if you are American, that is.

In 2009 you will need a passport.

Answer 6

Yes.

Answer 7

not really, but you definitely need one to get back into america!

Answer 8

yes and it takes awile so get them done atleast 2/3 months ahead you need pasport picture and if you have a pasport make sure it hasn't expired

Answer 9

ask the computer

Answer 10

yes you do and also take you citizenship cards or landing papers

Answer 11

Not right now.

Answer 12

yes,Starting June 1, 2009, Canadian citizens will be required to present a valid passport, a NEXUS card, or other acceptable document when seeking to enter the United States. Canadian citizens 15 years of age and under will only require proof of citizenship. Canadian citizens 18 years of age and under, who are travelling in approved adult-supervised groups, may also present proof of citizenship alone.

Answer 13

Not yet. That portion of the new law has been delayed until Summer 2009. (It's not Canada requiring the passport, but the U.S. requiring it for re-entry to the States.) You do now need the passport for air travel, however.

Answer 14

Birth cirtificate as of now if you travel by car- but its changing soon so you will need a passport

Answer 15

Yes, you do need to travel to the us. how do you travel to other countries ?

Answer 16

As you see, there is a LOT of misinformation and misunderstanding on this subject.  Those who said you do NOT need a passport to DRIVE between Canada and the U.S. are CORRECT. That requirement will not begin until June 2009.  Many people do not read the website carefully!  It says you need a photo I.D. and EITHER a passport OR a birth certificate.

Answer 17

technically yes, but they can be very lenient if you're an american citizen.. but i would have it just in case.

Answer 18

actually, you need a car

Answer 19

Yes, you need a passport from the US to Canada.  My son is going there in June and he was told he needed to get a passport.

Answer 20

the answer is NO, you need birthcertificate and a government issue photo id. this is what you need until June 2009.

My husband is a commercial driver as are 3 of our good friends and you do not need a passport to travel back and forth the Canadian/US border!!!!!!!!!

Answer 21

yes, but they might let you by with a license from US to Canada. On the way back, you might need a passport.

Answer 22

As of right now, you do NOT need a passport to get to Canada from the U.S.  The Canadian customs assume no liablity when you enter, but I'm here to tell you that even after knowing that, I could still get across (Windsor, Ont.) without any problems.

Answer 23

No.  But you might need it to get back into the U.S.

A birth certificate is sufficient as of right now.  I live on the Minnesota/Canada border.

Answer 24

You need either a passport or a government issued photo ID like a license and proof of citizenship such as a birth certificate.

You can find more information about international travel at this website: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbp...

Answer 25

Visa Requirements - Citizens of Canada, and Permanent Residents

Citizens of Canada traveling to the U.S. do not require a nonimmigrant visa, except for the travel purposes as described below. The below listed travel purposes require a visa. Additionally, Canadian citizens who have an ineligibility for a visa under immigration law, or have previously violated the terms of their immigration status in the United States, can Learn More about ineligibilities related to Canadians on the DHS Customs and Border Protection Website. Canadian citizens with ineligibilities also have the option of applying for a visa and a waiver at the nearest U.S. consulate if it is more convenient for them.

Canadians require nonimmigrant visas for temporary travel to the U.S. for these purposes:

Foreign government officials (A), officials and employees of international organizations (G) and NATO officials, representatives and employees assigned to the U.S. as needed to facilitate their travel

Treaty traders (E-1)

Treaty investors (E-2)

Fiance/es (K-1)

Children of fiancées (K-2)

U.S. citizen's foreign citizen spouse, who is traveling to the U.S. to complete the process of immigration (K-3).

Children of a foreign citizen spouse (K-4) described above

Spouses of lawful permanent residents (V-1) traveling to the U.S. to reside here while they wait for the final completion of their immigration process

Children of spouses of lawful permanent residents (V-2) described above

Permanent residents (aka landed immigrants) of Canada must have a nonimmigrant visa unless the permanent resident is a national of a country that participates in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), meets the VWP requirements, and is seeking to enter the U.S. for 90 days or less under that program.

Additional resources regarding procedures for Canadian visitors to the United States can be found on the U.S. Embassy and Consulate websites in Canada - See Entering the United States on the U.S. Embassy Ottawa website, as well as Business Travel to the U.S. webpages

Answer 26

I just found this site (cited below) that says NO.  You can have other forms of ID, such as a birth certificate and a government-issued ID card (or driver's license).

Answer 27

yes because once you get to the border you have to show your passport.

Answer 28

You must have a passport.

Details here:

http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_p...

Answer 29

yes you do,  you might get away with just a couple of pieces of ID, but they're gonna bust your balls about it.

Answer 30

No, you need a passport if you travel by air. The new law won't go into effect until early next year. My husband just went to the US last month with his birth certificate and drivers license. I have no idea what the people are talking about who said yes. If you travel by land you don't need one and your birth certificate and drivers license are just fine.

Answer 31

NO! I drove to Canada and got in and back without one.