what documents are essential for entering canada from united states?

Proof of US citizenship which is really more important for returning to the US than for entering Canada. A passport is best but a birth cert. or naturalization card combined with picture ID is a minimal requirement. a driver's license is not enough.

I think Gary's response is right on the mark!! And it is very concisely stated.<BR><BR>Let me expound in my normal long-winded fashion just a little. To a large extent, there are two sets of rules for US citizens going to and returning from Canada. <BR><BR>In returning to the USA from Canada by automobile, I have yet to have a border official actually look at my documents.<BR>Once, when driving a Hertz car out of Calgary into the US to visit Glacier NP, I got quizzed. Why is an American driving a Canadian car? I had pulled my passport out so that it was visible, but still in my hand, and my wife had pulled the Hertz contract when he waved us on. <BR><BR>When returning to the USA at airports, I have found that the situation is different to the extent that I take my passport. Although legally it is not required, presenting upon re-entry makes the whole process much easier. The US immigration official scans the machine readable code and I go on my way to the departure gate with little conversation. <BR><BR>The documents that Gary so accurately described are fine, but the last time I flew out of Calgary without my passport, I had my birth certificate and my driver's license. I still got quizzed. My wife had only her voter registration card and her driver's license. She got quite a barrage of questions, so much so I was getting edgy. A friend of ours, an MD who has a large share of Navajo ancestry, got a royal going over from US Immigration in Vancouver. She did not have the necessary documents to prove anything. I think she was detained while an official called her employer.<BR><BR>Entering Canada is usually less of a procedure. At highway crossings, I have never been asked to show any kind of document. The only incident I recall was at a highway crossing near Glacier National Park on the road to Waterton. A man driving a wildly painted van gave the Canadian officials a series of smart remarks in response to the normal questions about firearms, liquor, and tobacco. He got a thorough inspection, with the insides of the van piling up on the pavement as four officials methodically worked their way through his vehicle.<BR><BR>Entering at the airports in Calgary and Toronto, I showed my passport the last two trips, and I went right on through with minimal delay. <BR><BR>When crossing by car, I was asked once to remove my sunglasses. I complied, and the border official waved me on.<BR><BR>I got a little static from my loving wife that at least I was not too ugly to enter Canada. With reinforcement like that, you can see why I suffer from an inflated ego. <BR><BR>

I've visited Toronto 5 times this year, always arriving & departing by air. I show my US passport, they stamp it and it works like a charm.<BR><BR>When I leave Pearson Airport, I go through U.S. customs there so that when I arrive back in NY, I get my suitcase and go home. No waiting on long lines in NY.<BR><BR>If you don't have one, get a passport. It's the best thing to have anywhere.

We are going to be flying into Toronto -our children (ages 9 and 11) do not have passports. Is there any special documentation other than a birth certificate that is required for our children to enter/exit Canada?

My family is planning a trip to Niagara Falls in just a few weeks. We do not have passports. Please pardon my ignorance, but I had no idea that passports might be required, since years ago, my wife and I drove into Canada many times and were never asked for identification. I have heard that it is a good idea to bring Birth Certificates for the kids, but I assumed that driver's licenses would be adequate for my wife and I. I'm glad I read these posts. Are you sure Driver's licenses and Birth Certificate for my wife and I and Birth Certificates for the kids will be adequate, or should we apply for passports? To obtain passports in less than 6 weeks requires "Expedited Service" for an additional $35 per person.

Birth Cert. combined with an official picture ID, (e.g. a US driver's license), should be just fine. Anecdotally the border guards at the highway borders are a lot less formal than the ones at the airports. For example you don't have to fill in the form when you drive accross but it's esssential when you fly into either country. I never quite understood why that is. Can someone enlighten me.

For Ace:<BR>What Gary says is accurate, at least in my experience, because our findings agree 100%.<BR><BR>No one said passports were required.<BR><BR>At airports we simply find them to be a great convenience. <BR><BR>I am going to Calgary next week, and I will take my passport. If I did not have a passport, I would take my birth certificate and a photo ID, e.g. driver's license.<BR><BR>When I cross the border to visit Glacier National Park, I doubt very much if I will have to show anything, unless I get Mr. Grumpy again who wants to know why an American is driving a Hertz rental car that he got at the Calgary airport. It is to safeguard against guys like him that you need some official documents.<BR><BR>A driver's license alone will not cut it, if you are asked. Who knows, some terrorist sneak might have the border patrol all torqued up. <BR><BR>Anybody out there try to drive back to the USA from Canada on 9/12??<BR><BR>I was in a position where I couldn't have gotten home if I had wanted to.<BR>

Ok - thanks gary and Bob for the advice.

Are photocopies of birth certificates accepted? (We would feel better traveling if our originals were safely secured.)

I would suspect not but you can find out for sure by calling US & Canadian Immigration services. Look it up in your phone book.

Hi, I just traveled to Niagara Falls via car in early June. I was asked for my license both entering Canada and the US, but they never asked for my birth cert.

I'm taking a train from Toronto to Niagara Falls. Would anyone know if I would need documentation (besides a driver's license)?

I assume you're talking about Niagara Falls USA not Ontario in which case the rules still apply. You need proof of citizenship combined with picture ID. A driver's License is not proof of citizenship.

Just wanted to repeat and clarify what others have said--although you MAY only be asked for a driver's license, you MIGHT be asked for proof of citizenship.<BR>A driver's license is NOT proof of citizenship so if you want to be sure you have the correct required documents, have a passport, or birth certificate (certified, not copy) plus photo ID for each person.<BR>Of course you might never be asked for such documentation, but if you are and don't have it, you might very well be turned back. If you're comfortable with that possibility... well, that's up to each traveler to decide.<BR><BR>Here is a link to the Canadian Embassy in Washington DC's website:<BR><BR>http://www.canadianembassy.org/immigration/visit-e.asp<BR><BR><BR> See especially section entitled<BR>"INFORMATION FOR U.S. CITIZENS AND U.S. RESIDENT ALIENS WHO WISH TO VISIT CANADA" <BR>It specifically excludes a driver's license as acceptable ID for proof of citizenship.<BR><BR>Those traveling with children should also read<BR>"FOR THOSE BRINGING CHILDREN TO CANADA:<BR><BR>http://www.canadianembassy.org/immigration/visit-e.asp<BR><BR>

Bobbi--thanks very much on the links to the Canadian Embassy website! Especially helpful was you r mention of the section on those bringing children to Canada.

The birth certificate you take to get back into the United States has to be an original, with the raised seal. I believe you can send for more than one "original" at your city of birth.

topping

We just returned from a visit to Niagara Falls. We entered Canada via the Rainbow Bridge - a family of five, husband, wife and three boys, ages 16, 12 and 10 in a 2000 Plymouth Voyager. The first thing the official said was, "May I please see everyone's identification?" We were surprised since we have heard many times that entering Canada presents barely a question while entering the US is where they are so careful. I gave the man my Drivers License and as my wife was getting all of our birth certificates and her Drivers License together he asked us to open the side door of the van so he could see inside (the windows are tinted). We did so and he proceeded to ask, "Are these your children? Where are you going in Canada? Where are you staying? How many days? Do you have any firearms with you? Do you have any tobacco or alcohol with you? (I told him we had a few beers in the cooler.) Then he was silent as he took a moment to inspect each of the ID's. Then he handed them back and said thank you and allowed us to proceed.<BR>Four days later, we crossed back into the US via the Peace Bridge at Buffalo. The man said hello and asked us what our citizenship was. I replied, "Pennsylvania...US" and he asked, "are you bringing anything in with you?" I replied, "Just a pair of sunglasses and a chocolate bar that we bought at the duty free shop." He said, "Have a nice day" and that was it.<BR>Go figure.<BR>

My wife and I drive to Canada at least once a year. We just got back from Toronto. No ID was required getting in to Canada. There was a 55 minute wait at the Lewiston Bridge getting back into the US. My NY driver' license was all the ID I needed. My wife had her passport out. I told her to put it away when I saw the guard rifling through the passport of the driver in front of us, checking visas. He must have gone through the passport three times. We have visas for Turkey and Egypt, and I didnt want to have to answer any questions about them. The drivers license was all I needed. Of course, we are a couple in our 60's, driving a Buick, so I doubt if we fit any of their profiles.