Is a birth certificate all that is required to go canada and come back to the us by car?

Question

Is a birth certificate all that is required to go canada and come back to the us by car?

Answer 1

You DONT need a passport, if you're going by car, but you should bring our birth certificate and one another form of id. You only need passport if you're going by air.

Answer 2

Nope, as of 2006 you now need a passport.  

Answer 3

I heard that it used to be all you need but either last month or thi month they changed (or will change) it to where you need a passport to cross the border.

Answer 4

passport and birth certificate would be safest.

Answer 5

I think they usually want at least 2 forms of ID...so an a drivers license is good, with a birth cert.

Answer 6

Legally all you need a birth certificate and a state issued ID.  Now, the border control will generally hassle you for this - including pulling you over and searching your car - which is about a 45 minute pain-in-the-***.  It's really easier and more expedient to use a passport.  But if you don't have one just realize you have a much higher chance of getting searched and some border control officials won't accept your birth certificate and ID - they will say something to the extent of "You dumb kids, you think you can just thrust your ID and your birth certificate at me...mutter mutter mutter".  It's happened to me more than once.  To check out the official governmental position check the website below.

Answer 7

when i went to canada you only needed to have your birth certificate by car they might have changed the laws though.

Answer 8

Yes, my mom, brother and a few cousins are going next week by car and plane. My brother doesn't have a U.S. passport nor does my baby cousin who is only a couple of weeks old so they're both bringing their birth certificates. I can keep you updated about whether or not they had problems but I really don't think they will.

Answer 9

Boy, you got a lot of guesses, outdated info and just plain wrong answers.  The correct answer is that you need a birth certificate and a gov't issued photo I.D.  Passports will not be needed for LAND travel until June 1, 2009, as clearly stated on the State Dep't website...the official, always current site to use.

Answer 10

Ignore everybody else but Charlie.  He gave you the correct answer.  Here is the source:

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

And the relevant information is this (emphasis mine):

U.S. citizens need to present EITHER (a) a passport, passport card (scheduled to be in full production beginning in July 2008), or WHTI-compliant document; OR (b) a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, along with proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate.

Answer 11

A birth certificate is part of what you need to go to Canada and come back to the USA.  That will suffice for proof of citizenship.  The other part you need is government issued photo ID.  (eg drivers license)

A passport covers both of these aspects (citizenship and government issued photo ID) so it can also be used.  A passport is recommended because if it is lost, it is much easier to be replaced than the other two.  (esp when you are in Canada, waiting to be able to come home!)

A good place to check is not only the US border site, but also the Canadian border site.  It makes sense to check both, as each country will be updating their own sites more frequently.

Answer 12

I think all you need is some proof that you are a resident of the US. Like a driver's license or citizenship stuff, birth certificate.

Answer 13

2007 Update

The Departments of State and Homeland Security require citizens of the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Bermuda to present a passport to enter the United States when arriving by air from any part of the Western Hemisphere as of January 23, 2007.

A separate proposed rule addressing land and sea travel will be published at a later date proposing specific requirements for travelers entering the United States through land and sea border crossings. As early as January 1, 2008, U.S. citizens traveling between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea could be required to present a valid U.S. passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security

Answer 14

I am fairly positive that you need a passport to travel anywhere out of the country now. Even Puerto Rico...so my guess is that you need a passport.

Answer 15

You'll need a passport.