Does my son need a passport to visit Canada?

Question

My son and his girlfriend are driving to Canada this weekend.(Windsor). Do they need a passport to enter Canada? I know that Canadians need one to enter the U.S. Any ideas?

We live in the U.S.

Answer 1

Regulations for entering Canada are less strict than the US however it is best to meet the requirements for entering the US when crossing the border since they will need to get back home.  These requirements apply to Canadian and US citizens.

The strictest regulations regarding crossing the border relate to crossing into the US from Canada.  These rules were put into place by the US Department of Homeland Security as a result of 9/11 and subsequent events.  The rules for crossing into Canada are not as strict however as these rules generally are adjusted to coincide with US regulations they can be taken as requirements for crossing both ways.  Currently the rules for border crossings are as follows:

By Air:  A valid passport is the only ID acceptable for entering the US by air.

By Land:  A valid passport; OR; valid government issued ID (i.e. a Driver’s License) and an official birth certificate.  If you are a naturalized citizen then you should also bring your Citizenship Card (if you do not have your passport that is).  If you are a landed immigrant then you should bring identification certifying that you are legally in the country.

By Sea: Same requirements as for land

If you have a passport this is the best form of ID and should be the only ID required to cross the border so, if you have one, I would suggest that you use it.

The Department of Homeland Security had proposed to make a passport the only acceptable form of ID effective as of January, 2008.  This regulation was postponed by them until July, 2008 and has been further postponed by Congress until 2009.  Although several dates have been proposed there is no set date for the implementation of this regulation.  Based upon various reports the likely implementation time period will be sometime from March to July, 2009.  In addition to this other forms of acceptable ID are in process or being tested.  This includes a passport card (in the US) and enhanced Driver’s Licenses (current being tested in parts of Canada) which may be acceptable in place of a passport for travel.

Answer 2

Man, wish I knew.

If not I'll find a way to get em in.LOL.

Keep giving me thumbs down!

I ENJOY IT!

Answer 3

You can still drive to Canada from the U.S. with a valid driver's license AND an original (stamped) birth certificate proving your are a natural U.S. Citizen if you don't have a passport.

Answer 4

INterestting I am canadian and last week I drove to the us with govt id and a birth certificate

.::HigHT is correct

Answer 5

At this time, you can still use proof of citizenship from US to Canada and back.  This includes a valid passport, new or expired or a birth certificate with a raised seal and a photo ID.  Hope this helps...and have a great trip, eh?

Answer 6

American citizens do not need a passport to visit Canada by land/sea till june 2009. Passports needed when traveling by air.Your son needs a government issued photo ID (e.g driver's license) and his birth certificate.

For your information,Canadians do not need a passport to enter the US by "land or sea"

Answer 7

It would be good to get one , but if you don't travel often then follow the above message.

Answer 8

You need a valid passport to get back into the U.S.

We visited Mexico with just a visa but had to show a passport to re-enter the U.S.

Answer 9

i know you dont need one but you need some other regulations