Do you need a passport to get from Canada to the United States by car?

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mycathouse

Yes and no. They don't always check, but it's a good idea to have one. If you have a driver's licence you MIGHT be okay. We were just in Canada a couple weeks ago and we actually all were asked for passports, including passports for the kids. Luckily, we had them. I know other people who travelled across the boarder this summer and said they weren't asked for anything at all. I'd say it's better to be safe than sorry. Apparently by June 2009 passports will be required. See quote from source below.

Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)
The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) enforces rules regarding identification requirements for U.S. citizens and international travellers entering the country. This final rule and first phase of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative establishes four forms of identificationâ€”a valid passport, Alien Registration Card, NEXUS Air card, or U.S. Military Ordersâ€”required to enter the US by air.[10][11]

Requirements for all persons arriving through land and sea ports-of-entry (including ferries) are not finalized, but DHS has announced that as of June 2009 all individuals crossing the border via land will be required to present a valid passport or other documents as determined by DHS. The final rule relating to land and sea travel will be addressed in a separate, future rule making.

knight of the Kings Kingdom

Not until next year

Kalverye

If you're typically white looking in an expensive car, generally they let you through without checking, but take your passport with you.

BryanC

it is recommende d that u have one

TheRedNekCanadian

NO! Not if you are a Canadian Citizen, it is not a requirement until NEXT summer. However if you are a Citizen of another country living in Canada, a passport will be required. Get a passport anyway if you can. It can only help matters and make border-crossing much easier!

jake.jakebson

not yet, but it's good to have one

Carl_the_Truth

You need a passport to enter the country.

SPLNTR

Canadians, Mexicans to need passport to enter US

Agence France-Presse
First Posted 10:09am (Mla time) 11/23/2006

WASHINGTON -- Citizens of the United States, Canada and Mexico, along with Bermuda residents, will need to present passports on entering US territory by air starting January 23, the Homeland Security and State departments announced Wednesday.

Until now, identification such as a driver's license was sufficient for these nationals to enter US territory.

Limiting the types of documents accepted "will result in a more efficient border," they said in a statement.

"The ability to misuse travel documents to enter this country opens the door for a terrorist to carry out an attack. We cannot continue to allow loopholes that could facilitate access to the United States through false claims of citizenship or fake identities," said Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff.

"This initiative strengthens our border security by designating verifiable secure documents that may be used at our air ports of entry," Chertoff said.

The only alternative documents to a passport for air travel will be the Merchant Mariner Document (MMD) and the NEXUS Air card, they added.

Another proposed rule on land and sea travel will be published later, with requirements for travelers entering the United States through land and sea border crossings.

"As early as Jan. 1, 2008, US citizens traveling between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda by land or sea will be required to present a valid US passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security," the department said in a statement.
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/contacts/

xfashionplate

Its good to have one, but as of right now its not necessary.
It will be necessary in January of next year however. If you do not have one right now, other personal identification will do (birth certificate, drivers lisence, etc).

Gbx

yea u do

crowwecall

Yes you need a passport to get back into the United States by car. You can get a passport at your local courthouse or some post office sell passports. You will need to have your photo taken before you buy your passport at the courthouse and bring your picture with you. The post office will take your picture there but there will be a extra charge. Most passports are about $75 - $160 depends on how fast you want your passport. Expedited service costs more.

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