Can I cross the Canadian US border without a passport or birth certificate?

Show all answers

Just a friend.

You only need a drivers license to cross the US/Canadian boarder by car. There was never a requirement to show your birth certificate, and in fact it's not an acceptable form of ID. There was no need for you to carry it around in the first place. As you have found out, only bad things can happen from carrying your birth certificate on you.

marie9

Canadians only need a birth certificate and a valid I.D. ( drivers licence, medicare card) issued by the government, If you travel by car. You only need a passport if you are travellng by plane! In January 2008 you will need a passport to cross the border.
I have never been asked for a birth certificate anyway. You need two forms of official I.D.

Marshall

I live outside Detroit and go to Windsor all the time since the drinking age is 19. If you dont have a passport, you need an ID and birth certificate since your traveling by car. YOU DONT NEED A PASSPORT UNTIL 2008 so dont listen to anybody.

ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: All persons entering Canda by air are required to present a valid U.S. Passport when entering or re-entering the United States. Land and sea travelers are also encouraged to have a valid U.S. passport. If they do not have a passport, they should be prepared to provide a government-issued photo ID (e.g. Driver's License) and proof of U.S. citizenship such as a U.S. birth or naturalization certificate..

IMPORTANT NEW INFORMATION: As early as January 1, 2008, U.S. citizens traveling between the United States and Canada by land or sea (including ferries), may be required to present a valid U.S. passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security. American citizens can visit travel.state.gov or call 1-877-4USA-PPT (1-877-487-2778) for information on applying for a passport.

Brandi

I think you will need your birth certificate for sure for your ID. You could phone a passport office and ask them though, they would know that for sure. Good luck!

JuanB

It's funny how you say you have been crossing the border without a passport, THEN all the people who still insist on telling you that you can't do that.

The other thing is keep an eye on the recent announcement of only having to prove you applied for a passport. When first announced, it applied to AMERICANS ONLY. NO announcement on if they will extend such curtsies to Canadians yet.

The minimum standard is you need to prove your citizenship and identity. A passport does both. Your way, a drivers license (official photo ID) proves your identity. But it doesn't prove your citizenship. Just because most people that have an Ontario Driver's License are Canadian, does not mean ALL that have a License are Canadian. Your Birth Certificate proves citizenship. There are very few other things that will pass. You need to apply for it. I would recommend a passport as you will need that next year for the same trip, but the wait time is obnoxiously long and you have a better chance of getting your birth certificate sooner.

You use to get through with just a drivers license, but since they are stepping up to passports only soon, they tend to demand both dl and bc as minimum.

David Y

well it would be pretty hard.. myslef i got across with my baptismal certificate... but we got pulled over into the room.. i think you'd be fine with a drivers liscene or any other sort of I.D.

GatorHunterÂ®

immigration laws are changing all the time, here is the latest news

since january, you have had to have a passport only if you are traveling by air, but just a week ago, they suspended that becuase of the backlog of passports being issued. So now you can travel by air without a passport from canada to the US, as long as you have record that you have applied for one.

by ground travel, as of now you do not need a passport, all you need is a 2 proof of ID, such as your drivers license and another proof of canadian citizenship. this will soon change to needing a passport whenever you travel to the US, so i recomend geting a passport now

Marie

Hey ????, You do not need a passport to enter PEI. You still need just a photo ID to cross so your drivers license will do, to have your birth cert as well would be better.
Your safe until Jan, 2008.

Snagelfritz

Well, it getting to the point an American has to have a Passport to get back in, so .................... Think on this.
I ask the man at the Post Office here and he said, "You can go anywhere, the Passport is to get you back into the States".
I tried to find you something, I think this more for Americans entering Canada, but, they may be able to tell you something;
For further information on entry requirements, travelers may contact the Embassy of Canada at 501 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20001, tel. (202) 682-1740, or the Canadian consulates in Buffalo, Detroit, Los Angeles, New York or Seattle. The Canadian Embassy's website is: http://www.canadianembassy.org/

Travel_assistant

I think you should not go... With new regulations, you have to have at least birth certificate with government valid photo ID and/or passport (if fly into USA) to cross the border.

Bob s

Just this past week Pres. Bush waived all passports to Canada and Mexico to help alleviate the backlog of applications and to help the travelers going overseas get their passport without delaying their vacation plans.

johanne

No you can't. Since last January you have to have a passport to go to Canada or Mexico. The USA goverment has said last week that because of delays they are experiencing with the passports, you can go out of the United States without a passport as long a you have proof that you have applied for one. Other than that don't try it, you will be sent back...
Good Luck.

????

OK i know this for a fact you can cross with just your birth crtificit and a drivers licence or if you are a minnor a goverment issued ID. but in january they are changing things you need a passport and it is guarded!!!! if you are flying im not sure how that works im 99.9 percent sure its the same !!!!???? and if you are going to PEI you need a passport

peter j

Walk through were its not guarded.

Heather

the US just passed a law saying you had to have a passport. OR at least show papers that you've applied for one because it's taking them so long to get them back..

chris f

going from usa to canada or mexico and back to usa now requires a passport

schlouey

NO

because of new regulation, you absolutely need a passport, sorry.

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: