Ny State citizens can apply for an enhanced drivers's license by going to NYS DMV with additional documents that allow us Canadian access similar to that of a passport... it helps cross border workers and frequent bridge crossers get easier passage...

Expired Passports are not acceptable for return to the US...

remember, you are crossing two International Borders... the requirements for ID into Canada may be less strict, but coming back into the US, YOU WILL NEED PASSPORTS... valid ones... a lack of documentation could cause needless delays or flat out reentry....

Since passports are now required for U.S. citizens to re-enter the U.S., enhanced driver's licenses are not needed. U.S. citizens are required to show their VALID, unexpired passport. Just state that you're tourists on a limited visit, answer all questions honestly, be polite and respectful and U.S. citizens will have absolutely NO trouble visiting Canada nor re-entering the U.S. What's all the drama regarding this very simple procedure? I have traveled from the U.S. to Canada and back again 4 times a year for 30 years and have never had a problem before passports were necessary nor since.

Well, you're not paying attention - two of the people in this group only have expired passports and the OP thought that would work.

I stopped in to see my car insurance agent today to pick up my Canada non resident insurance certificate. Tomorrow I will drive my 2003 Honda Civic into and back out of Canada. The certificate even has the VIN listed on it.
We each will have our US Passport with us. Just recently, the Oregon Dept. of Transportation started issuing drivers licenses to illegal aliens.

gary22,

The real rule is CBP can never deny entry to a US citizen, regardless of what they say - ask an agent.

You have to prove citizenship, which an expired passport does as well as a current passport - but a driver's license doesn't unless it's enhanced. Enhanced DLs are offered by some border states with a lot of cross border traffic, they offer one in Washington State now. I'm not sure of the details, I left Washington before they came online, but you pay more for a license that also "proves" you are a citizen.

I advised the Senate Transportation chair, in WA state, against creating an enhanced ID, because it cost tens of millions to implement. The passport is available. I encouraged Senator Haugen to take the same money and help low-income people buy passports.

So why does CBP publish rules they can't enforce? Probably to encourage people to get secure ID's - or just wishing they could enforce stricter rules. CBP is a law enforcement agency, and they see the world through that lens.

I am paying attention. A tempest in a teapot when all is said and done. I am always amazed that people still don't have valid, current passports. It's such an easy thing to take care of and the proper i.d. makes life so easy.

And no American citizen needs any kind of certificate from a U.S. insurance agent to drive into or out of Canada!

PUBL... I think you missed the point... it's much easier to get into Canada ... rules are less strict

It's coming back to the US that requires the passport...

There are TWO sets of border agents... the friendly Canadians who welcome you to explore the "Great White North"

and

the Homeland Security US Border Patrol that respond to 9/11, ask serious questions, use bomb sniffing dogs and require Passports or other approved documentation...

I recommend staying inside the walled gate of Quebec. We loved it there. Also, we liked Niagara on the Lake for a day trip to visit wineries but there is not much to do there unless you're going to Shaw. I would think you would want to take advantage of all that there is to do in Niagara Falls. Cave of the Winds on the American side on Goat Island, also a great place to walk around, you are so very close to the Falls! and then stay on the Canadian side, we stay at the Embassy Suites with Falls view, they are lighted at night and you would have two rooms with a great complimentary breakfast in the morning. Take Maid of the Mist for sure. Actually one long day and one night would probably do it. From Niagara On The Lake you can take the Whirlpool Ride.

A tempest in a teapot: a small event that has been exaggerated out of proportion

Fact: US citizen needs valid passport to reenter US from Canada
Fact: These two US citizens don't have valid passports

I'd consider it a pretty big event and not at all blown out of proportion if they get detained trying to re-enter the US.

The solution is Not a big deal, sf7307. The solution is very straightforward: Get a valid passport! It's that simple! They have plenty of time.

Here's the link for passport applications/process for U.S. citizens. You can print the application online and send in the check. Couldn't be more straightforward.

http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html

Saturday March 9th is National Passport Day, although federal passport offices will not be open due to sequester, there are thousands of city halls, libraries and communities participating...

Think of it: Getting your passport could prevent an international incident between Canada and the U.S.! ;)

Just to add to this a few days late: If you are driving or entering on a ferry, you can also choose to get an official US passport card. You have to obtain all the same documents as you do for a full passport, but it costs far less. It is NOT good for any other countries, and it is NOT good for entering the United States by airplane. It was far cheaper, however.

Oh, and one possible destination for your list:


If you have a high school student and are visiting the Finger Lakes, you might consider visiting Cornell University. It is a beautiful campus. I enjoyed seeing the pulpit where Dr. Martin Luther King spoke. They have tours all summer; check their website for details.

We stayed at the Country Inn and Suites at the edge of Ithaca. Nice place, and the hotel pool was actually warm enough to swim in and very clean. Although we didn't have time to view it, the hotel was right near the entrance to Buttermilk Falls State Park.

it is absurd not to get a passport.

I would encourage all US citizens that have any thought of going to Canada or Mexico to get a passport or at least a NEXUS card.
Last Friday afternoon my DW and I went into Canada past the Peace Arch (north end of I-5). We presented our Passports to the nice friendly Canadian lady. She asked if we had any tobacco or firearms (no). Apparently they don't care if you have fruits or vegetables anymore. From the first stop in the line to being cleared took 5-6 minutes. We spent 2.5 hours in Canada before entering the line back to the US. This line took 25-28 minutes. The US officer had us pop the trunk and rummaged through our luggage. Then he gave us back our car key and Passports and said welcome back.
While it is true that I didn't "need" the insurance certificate, it would have been much more of a hassle with the Canadian police if we had any type of accident in Canada.
On Saturday morning we went back into Canada to White Rock. We walked out the pier and then measured the white rock (glacial erratic) and found another geocache. DW went in to the Duty Free while I hiked down to the Peace Arch so I crossed the border twice more than my wife. It was an hour from the time stamp on the duty free receipt until we were clear of US Customs.
My Oregon CDL good for 8 years which I showed my US Passport to get, cost more than my US Passport which is good for 10 years. Next year I may get a NEXUS card.

<Apparently they don't care if you have fruits or vegetables anymore. >

That's just California, right?