I live in Buffalo and travel to Canada at both the Peace Bridge and Lewiston/Queenston Bridge often. I have never been asked for anymore than my drivers lisence and photocopied birth certificates for my children. If you have a passport bring it along, but it's not required from my experience.

Certified birth certificate is not the same as the certificate the hospital gave you. I just had to purchase a certified birth certificate from my son's county of birth and send it to him-because he was going to Montreal.

I also just had to purchase one for myself because my hospital birth certificate and my notice of birth registration were not sufficient to obtain a passport.

My understanding of the requirements is the same as dwoodden's

A driver's license might not prove citizenship but it is commonly accepted for US citizens, at least at the Rainbow and Peace Bridges. I can't speak to other border crossings.

Nw don't jump down my throat - I'm certainly not suggesting that the original poster should only bring a license. He should bring whatever is "officially" required. But there is a high likelihood that they could get across and back with just a license, in the event that they don't have a passport or birth certificate, if they want to risk it.

One more time - a drivers license, a birth certificate, etc may do just fine in most cases, however a passport is "all" you need to cross a border. It is the most acceptable document - no question. If you go onto government websites for overseas travel it is recommended a person have a passport, if for only getting back into your home country without problems.

I'd highly agree with Shea, if you don't have a Passport get one. No matter where you go outside the country absolutely nothing is more convenient and the ultimate proof of your citizenship. The drivers license is just a given because you'll be using a vehicle.

Oh my, this post is funny!

If you have a passport, that will do. Otherwise, you MUST have a certified birth certificate! If you are an American citizen trying to re-enter the U.S., you may very well have to prove yourself!

The chances of getting asked for it as you return to the U.S. are not all that great; however, if they do request it, you better darn well have it!

I live in Buffalo, cross a LOT, especially in the summer - I go to the beach almost every weekend and make several trips to Toronto. I have been asked for my birth certificate. I now have out my driver's license before I even get to the border because I know I'll have to show it when re-entering the US. As a matter of fact, I keep our birth certificates in the car all summer long. And don't just assume that if you're in a minivan with several kids that they won't choose to give you a hard time.

One time my brother, who lives in VT, decided at the last minute to leave work early, pick up his two boys at school, and drive up to Montreal (about a one hour drive) to meet my parents, who were on a bus trip, for dinner. In his rush, he didn't even think about birth certificates. He got pulled over at the Quebec border, all three of them separated into different rooms, and "interrogated."

Chances are you will cross the border with no problem, but I think people do a disservice to others by saying that you'll probably be OK with just a driver's license.

Have a great trip.

I agree with BuffalGirl. Read her post very carefully. "If you have a passport, that will do. Otherwise, you MUST have a certified birth certificate!"

We too go Ottawa and Montreal, not Toronto, very often and only twice we were asked for IDs. However we always HAVE it with us. Remeber if you don't have one and and are asked for it it will go on your record. Red Flag! The next time you want to travel abroad this may create a problem for you. So please don't listen if someone tells you here you should be fine just with a drivers license. That is not a point. The point is you are requiered to have a proper ID for yourself, your children and everybody else traveling with you. Be a smart and educated traveler.

So Randa, you do not need this kind of ID to check into a hotel but in order to get to that hotel you need proper documents. After all this hotel is in Canada and you need to cross the border to get there.

A news story moved on the wire this evening effecting this issue.

According to the story, US citizens reentering the country from other countries MUST present a passport or a federally issued ID linked to homeland security databases after Jan 1, 2008. Driver's licenses and birth certificates will no longer work.

If you don't already have one, best get that passport now and avoid the rush.

Hi dwoodon, you are talking about three years from now and Randa is going be there this year, I think.

<Does anyone know if this consists of anything more than our drivers licenses? And what about for our kids?

Yes and for kids too.

Here's an interesting situation I am currently in that people my find very interesting. You'll also find me very stupid for having let this happen, I know I'm feeling pretty stupid. I've traveled all over Europe, Africa, and to Japan and never forgot or lost my documentation, until now.

I live in Houston and have been travelling a lot for work, as a matter of fact, I had schueduled a brief trip to Michigan returning to Houston this last Tuesday (yesterday), and then had to schedule an emergency trip to visit a customer in Vancouver leaving the same day I return. It was just another short business trip, and like an idiot I didn't even think about the fact that I was leaving the country. So I arrive back at the Houston airport very tired yesterday, check in for my flight on the electronic kiosk, and when it is time, I board the flight. I enjoy the inflight movie, and then when the flight attendent hands me the Canadian customs form, I start to sweat, as I realize I have no passport, no birth certificate. I get off the plane, go through the line at Immigration, tell the officer I have forgotten both forms. He says "Tell you what, next time make sure you bring it," and lets me pass!

So I've visited my customer, and here I am in my hotel room wondering what will happen tomorrow. Will I be able to slip through the cracks the same way I did in Houston? When I get there, will US immigration be as nice as Canada? Will I be getting an all expense-paid trip to Guantanamo? I told my wife to be ready to come to the Houston airport with my passport - that is if they let me on the plane. If not, I guess I'll be sitting in Vancouver an extra day waiting for FedEx to bring my passport.

This is one of those stupid mistakes I'll only make once.

Reefmonkey - Since you clear US Immigration & Customs in Vancouver and not Houston, it won't help to have your wife bring the passport to the airport. Either they let you through and on the plane (and you're okay), or you're stuck there.

Make sure you get to YVR super early, as it's likely you'll be asked lots of questions, etc... which will take time.

Good luck.

Hi rkkwan, I don't understand your statement to Reefmonkey regarding "since you cleared US Immigration and Customs in Vancouver".

Would not that be Canadian Immigration and Customs in that Vacouver is in BC?

LoveItaly - For many flights from Canada (also a few places in the Carribean), one go through US Immigration and Customs while still in that foreign country. It's definitely true for Vancouver.

That Canada-US flight will then be just like a domestic US one, arriving at a regular gate in any US airport.

Reefmonkey has successfully entered Canada. His problem now is getting back to the US.

rkkwan, thanks for explaining. I did not know that as have always driven into Canada versus flying in. So I was confused. Take good care.

Well, here's the conclusion of my saga of stupidity. I got to the airport 3 hours before my flight to allow for the hassle. Rkkwan was right - US Customs/immigration is here in the Vancouver airport - a new one for me. I checked in, got my boarding pass no problems, then went through US C/I. When I told the first officer I had neither documentation, he didn't even look up, just stamped my declaration card and told me to wait in the secondary examination room. I waited, they called my name, and the customs officer opened up my bags, seemed surprised Canadian immigration didn't turn me back. Then I waited a little longer, an immigration officer called me up, and when I said I had neither document, said with surprise "where are you passport and birth certificate?" I told her just that I forgot them, and she asked me where I was born, and I said "in Houston". She said "Where in Houston?" I said "the methodist hospital." She said "ok" handed me my papers, and said "ok, you're good to go."

Fortune favors the foolish, at least this time.

I think the whole process, from the time I told the first immigration officer that I didn't have documents, until they said I could go, took about 10-15 minutes max.