Is a US passport required when driving up to Canada?

Show all answers

Shari

Funny you asked this. I was just talking with my sister who is going to Canada in a month and she is driving and doesn't need one. But, coming back, she is flying and will need one.

kitkat

I am surprised how many times this question is asked. No you don't need one to drive here, but as of January 23 if you fly into Canada you need one. Check out the following web site. :)

private_jet_charter

This site will explain:
http://privatejetcharter.spaces.live.com/
You don't need one if you are driving across the border.

Wifeforlife

It is the same requirement going either way by automobile across our mutual border - two pieces of photo, government-issued identification: drivers license, birth certificate - and they must be up-to-date - if your insurance or license have expired, you'll be turned away. It seems so sensible to always have a passport though. Such a small expense for such great convenience. Why not get one? What if an opportunity for a flight somewhere came up and the waiting times for passports was extensive? What if another national security crisis occured - God forbid - and your ID was necessary? Oh - and another thought - if any children in the car have different last names or are not in your legal custody on a permanent basis - you'd better have valid IDs for them PLUS notarized letters of approval for their travel with phone numbers for the other parental unit! Too many cross-border parental kidnappings. When we took our granddaughters (12 and 14) to Disneyland, the letters and ID were thoroughly checked out! If you're young and travelling with a female companion who may look under-age, her ID better be valid as well!

ā®Nikkiā®

No. Only when you fly over the border you need a passport. But when you drive you need a driver's licence/State I.D and birth certificate.

I'm going to Canada in April and that's what my teacher told my Choir class

Delicious Davey

Nope just ID. If you have kids also bring ID with them too!

KFB

driving - no passport required until 2008
(but you need more than just your driver's license - you should have two pieces of gov't issued ID - like drivers licence AND birth certificate)

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/alerts/whti/documents_needed.xml

# As of January 23, 2007, ALL persons*, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport, Air NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document.
# As early as January 1, 2008, ALL persons*, including U.S. citizens, traveling between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including ferries), may be required to present a valid passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security. While recent legislative changes permit a later deadline, the Departments of State and Homeland Security are working to meet all requirements as soon as possible. Ample advance notice will be provided to enable the public to obtain passports or passport cards for land/sea entries.

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: