My g/f is a Canadian citizen who has been living here for several years. We are driving with our two kids to NY and then to Canada to see her family. I was doing a little research on what I would need to get across and came across this:

http://cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/security-securite/admiss-eng.html

Quote :

"Non-Canadians Requirements to Enter Canada When you enter Canada, a CBSA officer may ask to see your passport and a valid visa, if one is necessary. If you are a citizen of the United States, you do not need a passport to enter Canada. However, you should carry proof of your citizenship, such as a birth certificate, certificate of citizenship or naturalization, as well as photo identification. If you are a permanent resident of Canada or the U.S, you should bring your Permanent Resident Card with you."

Really? All I need is my birth certificate and photo ID and I can cross the border? I thought it would be more difficult than that...

9/14/2011 1:52:08 AM

you need to look at what's required to get back into the us -- pretty sure it's a passport if you're flying, not sure about driving...

[Edited on September 14, 2011 at 2:06 AM. Reason : passport]

9/14/2011 2:03:15 AM

Yeah and now another site says you CAN'T get in with just a birth certificate and driver's license

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g153339-s602/Canada:Crossing.The.Border.html

9/14/2011 2:26:34 AM

check the state dept's travel website: http://travel.state.gov/

search for canada, should be accurate

9/14/2011 3:24:04 AM

YOU MUST HAVE A PASSPORT.

The only slight exception to this rule, is that you can cross with an expired passport IF you also have a current driver's license (but you can still get hassled for this)

9/14/2011 3:38:18 AM

if you don't have a passport, you're going to have trouble...not saying they won't let you into canada, because they probably will, but getting back into the states might be a pain...not saying you won't get back in, either, but i strongly suggest getting a passport

9/14/2011 7:53:33 AM

GET A PASSPORT.

i'm pretty sure passports became the requirement for bordering countries a few years back.

9/14/2011 8:39:37 AM

To clearup all of the misinformation in this thread, directly from state.gov

Entry Into Canada:

Canadian law requires that all persons entering Canada carry both proof of citizenship and proof of identity. A valid U.S. passport, passport card or NEXUS card (see below) satisfies these requirements for U.S. citizens. U.S. citizens entering Canada from a third country must have a valid U.S. passport.

Return from Canada:

When returning to the United States from Canada, it is very important to note that all U.S. citizens are required to present a valid U.S. passport to enter or re-enter the United States via air. For entry into the United States via land and sea borders, U.S. citizens will need to present either a U.S. passport, passport card, NEXUS card, Enhanced Drivers License or other Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)-compliant document. The only exception to this requirement is for U.S. citizens under the age of 16 (or under 19, if traveling with a school, religious, or other youth group) who need only present a birth certificate (original, photocopy or certified copy), Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or naturalization certificate.

9/14/2011 10:02:16 AM

It won't help if my g/f is Canadian? She is planning on getting her Canadian passport while she is in Canada.

What kind of "hassle" can I expect if I try to get into the U.S. with only my driver's license and birth certificate? Am I going to sit at the gate for like 12 hours? Maybe have to wait on a Passport to be generated in the U.S. for me? I'm totally unfamiliar with this so I'm making some more phone calls. My g/f and I have been on the phone countless times with representatives of various border/immigration offices all assuring us my country would let me back in and it shouldn't be a problem.

9/14/2011 10:46:44 AM

a passport really is one of those things that everyone should get, even if they don't have a specific need for it at the time.

there's really no reason not to.

9/14/2011 10:48:52 AM

I agree and will be getting mine, but can't in time for this trip unfortunately.

9/14/2011 10:54:48 AM

when is it?

you can pay more to have it expedited.

but if you're leaving like, friday... you're kinda boned.

9/14/2011 10:56:18 AM

We're leaving tonight. Honestly I would've gotten my passport had we not been told specifically we would be okay to come back into the U.S by multiple people at multiple offices.

This is all pretty

9/14/2011 10:59:57 AM

Pretty sure you need a passport. Hopefully she has her US credentials ready too.

9/14/2011 11:09:15 AM

passport or passport card. card is good only if you are driving to canada or mexico.

9/14/2011 11:17:40 AM

Or on cruises. Anything except air travel.

9/14/2011 11:25:34 AM

Canada Border Services Agency says no passport needed to get into Canada.

Now to confirm whether or not I need mine to get back.

9/14/2011 11:57:15 AM

You don't need a passport. You're an American, and thus have rights others don't. You'll be let back into the country eventually, but you may have to deal with some bureaucratic headaches.

Passports for people in 2011 should be as common as a driver's license. Unless you're one of those numerous TWWians who treat leaving their own house like a terrifying adventure.

[Edited on September 14, 2011 at 12:16 PM. Reason : x]

9/14/2011 12:14:56 PM

It would be foolish to go into canada without a US Passport in hand. Word directly from the horse's mouth (State) has been posted in this thread already.

Will you eventually be let in to the United States if you choose not to get a passport, probably, but this will almost certainly take hours if not days.

If you are driving, you can always stop in DC and have a passport processed and given to you the same day.

9/14/2011 12:57:59 PM

The official word is no passport needed for land re-entry to the U.S.

So basically we can all drive to Canada and back with no passport.

I have my original, raised-seal birth certificate, original social security card, and driver's license, and I'm thinking that, despite some delays while they check my shit, everything should be just fine.

9/14/2011 2:17:44 PM

where did you find that? CBP and State websites state otherwise.

9/14/2011 2:34:06 PM

I called the CBP (877) 227-5511

Press 0 to talk to someone.

[Edited on September 14, 2011 at 2:38 PM. Reason : .]

9/14/2011 2:38:04 PM

have fun getting refused at the canadian border

9/14/2011 2:47:49 PM

Did you read what I posted?

9/14/2011 2:54:08 PM

yeah, but i've also been harassed for hours on end by the border patrol. hope you won't be.

9/14/2011 2:57:12 PM

I expect this. But with the documentation I have, and also having a child with a Canadian citizen, I'm thinking they'll be a little more lenient on me than if I pulled up on my own. Worst case scenario I vacation in NY

9/14/2011 3:00:37 PM

regardless of whether you do intend to do so or not, it is in your best interest to state a specific date you plan to exit canada. they are more and more frequently turning a suspicious eye to visitors from the united states (as potential illegal immigrants) and not having standard paperwork will not expedite things. What you heard on the phone is in direct contradiction to every published information about indentification requirements for entering the united states by land. I got held and harrassed by the united states even longer than I was in Canada and had my paperwork and vehicle confiscated while they spent hours trying to find out if I had just committed a crime and was trying to flee. this just for attempting to cross the border at night because there were no hotels available within a 2 hour radius of where I was, all of my paperwork was in order.


If you won't cut your vacation a day short to stop in DC and get a passport, you need to get a grip on what "some delays" will entail. hours and hours and hours of being questioned like you are a common criminal, having your vehicle and person searched, your identity confiscated, and being held in uncomfortable places with no word on how long you have to wait or why. It is likely to be a traumatic experience for your child.

9/14/2011 3:12:17 PM

Man I remember back when I lived in Vermont all you needed to get into Canada was being white. We used to go drinking up there all the time. Now I hear it's easier to get in and out of Mexico than it is Canada

9/14/2011 3:20:53 PM

I am prepared for hours of questioning, really I'm prepared for anything retarded when it comes to the United States and her precious borders. We have a specific date of exit and we're crossing in broad daylight with our family.

If you crossed in the middle of the night by yourself with no kids I'm sure they really didn't care about your documentation (I wonder how common are incidents of forged documentation?). Something you said or did, or maybe just something about your vehicle or even your personality tipped someone off there so they held you. They are trained to spot the suspicious and follow their instincts, just like cops. If their insincts tell them I smell like a terrorist or criminal or illegal alien then I'm sure I'll be sitting there talking until they are satisfied that I am not.

9/14/2011 3:30:02 PM

You'll have to let us know how it goes.

9/14/2011 3:43:06 PM

what's the problem with just getting a passport and not dealing with all of this?

oh leaving tonight. have fun with CBP. I'll be looking for you on Border Wars in a couple of weeks.

[Edited on September 14, 2011 at 4:06 PM. Reason : oh]

9/14/2011 3:57:56 PM

One of my buddies just found a dirt road a little ways down from a border crossing and got into Canada that way. Not that hard.

9/14/2011 4:20:12 PM

http://thenoelfamily.us/

9/14/2011 4:23:16 PM

^^ Not that hard, no, but not that safe either.

9/14/2011 4:40:07 PM

In July, we drove from Seattle to Vancouver...We were required to show our passport upon returning to the US from Canada

9/14/2011 4:53:02 PM

just get a passport.

If you have the means to go anywhere outside of the US, there's no reason to not have one.

9/14/2011 4:55:28 PM

yeah, it's obviously too late for the OP, but get a passport.

9/14/2011 5:12:42 PM

Getting into Canada was a breeze. I don't think the guy even looked at our IDs. Asked us what forms of ID we had, if we had anything to declare, and waived us through. Getting back should be easy according to everyone I've talked to. We shall see! I am thinking of taking the 401 west to the Welsley Island crossing, but was thinking maybe I should cross at the same place.

9/21/2011 4:16:29 PM

Oh we back.

Let me tell you this shit was simple. No passport needed.

[Edited on October 2, 2011 at 10:15 AM. Reason : .]

10/2/2011 10:14:31 AM

10/2/2011 10:23:24 AM

I didn't know they allowed an internet post as your single phone call now

10/2/2011 2:16:00 PM

10/2/2011 6:54:53 PM

Glad you're back!

Now's the time to get a passport for the future!

And go ahead and marry your girlfriend while you're knocking out your to-do list.

10/2/2011 7:08:20 PM