Drive across part of Canada, do I need a passport?

Question

I'm moving from Detroit to Boston and would like to take the short cut across Canada, will I need a passport? Will they inspect the moving truck? I'm not transporting illegal goods, but will have a puppy along.

Answer 1

no, all you need to cross back and forth by land is a birth certificate and drivers license.  Passports arent required until 2009 to get back to the US by land.

They may or may not inspect your vehicle.. its the luck of the draw.   Your puppy if over 6 months old will require vacinnation certificates against rabies.

With border line ups (perhaps 1-2 hours) at each point and the slightly higher gas prices we have here in canada ($4.50-$5/US gallon) you may want to consider just heading around the south side of Lake Erie instead ?

Answer 2

You will need your original birth certificate and government issued photo id( ex drivers license) to cross the border. If you have a passport you can use that, but it is not required as of yet for land travel into Canada.

For the puppy under 3 months you do not require the rabies certificate for proof of vaccination but if you have had the puppy at the vet it is a good idea to get the international health certificate from the vet stating the puppy is free of diseases and such, it is not necessary but is always handy to have. Over 3 months you need valid rabies vaccination with certificate and also good to have the international health certificate.

As for the moving truck Customs will let you cross over and cross back, they may inspect it and they may not.

But you should check with the company you are renting the moving truck from, some have stipulations that it is not to be taken out of the country due to insurance reasons and such. And as well you may need to get extra insurance in order to travel out of the country.

Answer 3

A birth certificate and picture id will suffice if you're driving.

Yes, they may inspect the vehicle - both entering Canada and entering USA.

You'll need to check rules re dog health, too ... maybe a rabies shot needed for both Canada and US border?

Some immigration and animal transport links below ...

Have a great trip!

Answer 4

i think you can still use a birth certificate or liences im not sure probably not