Do U.S citizens need a passport to go to canada?

Question

I'm under 16, and going by bus on a mission trip to canada....Only problem, my birth-certificate is out-of-state, so I can't get a passport in time..But then I've been doing research, and it says that you only need a birth-certificate, and valid photo ID....Which is true? Please no stupid answers!

Answer 1

"If U.S. citizen travelers to Canada do not have a passport 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.

U.S. citizens entering Canada from a third country must have a valid U.S. passport."

You can also email the Canadian embasy and make sure they haven't changed the rules.

Now re-entering the US can be the problem (more if you are not a blue eyed 100% american blond). Most likely they'll let you enter but they wont be very nice to you and they can keep your laptop or digital camera or anything if they want (there are hundreds of complains about laptops and electronic equipment confiscated and never returned by custom agents).

Answer 2

you better get one or you might have a harder time

trying to Return to the US

its better to have it then not to have one

Answer 3

as of right now you do not need a passport to get into Canada.  I believe that at the end of this year you will need one to go anywhere out of the country.

Answer 4

For starters, as long as you're going by land, you'll be fine with just a birth certificate and photo ID card. My husband goes back and forth from Canada to the US . However, they will be changing the regulations on travel between Canada and the US. It was supposed to be early this year that a passport was needed for all travel, whether land, air, or water. Now it's looking like it might be late this year or early next year. If you want to just be sure, you can pay extra money to get your passport processed faster and therefore receive it in time. I did that for mine and it took less than two weeks. On the application for passports they ask you when you're going to travel. I've heard of people getting their passports in 3 days, so it's possible to get your passport in time, just might cost more.

EDIT:

I'm a Mexican American and travel both by land and air to the US since I moved to Canada (and no, I don't have papers saying I'm a Canadian resident). Customs on either side had never given me a problem while I was driving with my birth certificate and license. The only bad run-in I had with Customs, was on the Canadian side when they said my American passport was a fake and sent me back on the next flight out to where I came from. You won't have much trouble getting back into the US...That's the easy part, at least for me. I had a harder time with the Canadian Customs, where as my husband (a Canadian) had trouble with American Customs when the glove compartment to the car was stuck and wouldn't open.

Answer 5

I don't believe that you need a passport for Canada. I would try to double check some official website ( ask the person who's leading the trip to help you) because there may have been changes (you know, stricter rules to counteract terrorism).

Also, i don't understand why your passport would be delayed by being from another state--if you have an official copy, you should still be able to get it quickly--my drivers' license and birth certificate were from WI but I was living in illinois and still got a passport here.

Answer 6

If you are an American citizen, you don't need a passport when traveling by "LAND or SEA" (TILL JUNE 2009) You need a government issued photo ID such as a driver's license and birth certificate but you are required to hold a valid passport if you travel by AIR.