Taking Kids To Canada No Passport
- Thread starter momtosam
- Start date
If you are driving across the border, then they are okay with birth certificates. If you are flying, they are not.
http://can-am.gc.ca/consular_services_consulaires/border-frontiere.aspx?lang=eng
For some reason, my Google skills are finding it easier to pull up the rules from the Canadian site (probably because I'm on that site more often - including earlier today). I'm sure the US site has a similar page.
ETA - The US website directs you to the Canadian one. http://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/canada-mexico-travel
http://can-am.gc.ca/consular_services_consulaires/border-frontiere.aspx?lang=eng
For some reason, my Google skills are finding it easier to pull up the rules from the Canadian site (probably because I'm on that site more often - including earlier today). I'm sure the US site has a similar page.
ETA - The US website directs you to the Canadian one. http://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/canada-mexico-travel
disney world dreamer
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 23, 2010
if you drive children under the age of 16 do not need a passport just a birth certificate.
tvguy
Question anything the facts don't support.
- Joined
- Dec 15, 2003
I will defer on the driving. Flying into Canada, never without a passport. Due to a very bad experience at Calgary airport with Canadian immigration and my then 2 year old. Short answer, a passport makes everything easier. But even if you never intend to leave the U.S., a Passport is soo handy with kids. For school, for sports, for getting their first driver's license. And then there are those surprise out of the country school/church/sports team trips.
Well, since it isn't allowed, that's rather a moot point.
tvguy
Question anything the facts don't support.
- Joined
- Dec 15, 2003
It wasn't required then. And checking, it does not appear children under age 16 need a passport to fly into Canada now.
Entry into Canada: Canadian law requires that all persons entering Canada carry both proof of citizenship and proof of identity. A valid U.S. passport, passport card, or NEXUS card satisfies these requirements for U.S. citizens.
Children under 16 need only present proof of U.S. citizenship.
http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/country/canada.html
bcla
On our rugged Eastern foothills.....
- Joined
- Nov 28, 2012
But the link you provided says that a passport book would be needed to fly back to the US regardless of age. I can't find anything that says a passport is strictly required for US citizens entering Canada by air, but it's highly recommended.
I suppose it might be possible to enter Canada without a passport book by air, then return to the US by land.
JanaDee
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jul 20, 2013
You need a passport to get back into the US by air.
You need one to get in Canada by air as well (technically, I could use my NEXUS card, but I was told to always also carry my passport. The two airlines I've travelled since getting my NEXUS demand it - they need to see my passport when I check in). The birth certificate works only for land/sea crossings and only for kids (from my link - bolding is NOT mine) -
Last edited:
Rules for entering the US (because you will have to on your way back home!), per US Customs and Border Protection (CBP):
https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/de...ens---documents-needed-for-entry-into-the-u.s.
"Children: U.S. citizen children ages 15 and under arriving by land or sea from a contiguous territory may present an original or copy of his or her birth certificate (issued by the Vital Records Department in the state where he or she was born), a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or a Naturalization Certificate. If the child is a newborn and the actual birth certificate has not arrived from the Vital Records Department, we will accept a Hospital issued birth certificate."
(for Air travel, everyone needs a passport)
For entering Canada, per Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA):
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/td-dv-eng.html
"Identification requirements for U. S. citizens and permanent residents
If you are a U.S. citizen, ensure you carry proof of citizenship such as a passport, birth certificate, a certificate of citizenship or naturalization, a U.S. Permanent Resident Card, or a Certificate of Indian Status along with photo identification. If you are a U.S. permanent resident, ensure you carry proof of your status such as a U.S. Permanent Resident Card.
For all modes of entry, we recommend you carry a valid passport for all travel abroad, including visits to Canada from the United States. A passport may be required by your airline or alternative transportation authority, as it is the only universally-accepted identification document.
Citizens and permanent residents of the United States who are members of the NEXUS or FAST programs may present their membership cards to the CBSA as proof of identity and as documents that denote citizenship, when arriving by land or marine modes only.
All visitors arriving from or transiting through the United States are encouraged to visit the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Web site for information concerning the U.S. Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, and the requirements to enter or return to the United States."
(they also have commentary about traveling with minors, especially when only one parent is with the child or you are traveling with children that are not yours, which does not appear to apply to the OP)
-SW
https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/de...ens---documents-needed-for-entry-into-the-u.s.
"Children: U.S. citizen children ages 15 and under arriving by land or sea from a contiguous territory may present an original or copy of his or her birth certificate (issued by the Vital Records Department in the state where he or she was born), a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or a Naturalization Certificate. If the child is a newborn and the actual birth certificate has not arrived from the Vital Records Department, we will accept a Hospital issued birth certificate."
(for Air travel, everyone needs a passport)
For entering Canada, per Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA):
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/td-dv-eng.html
"Identification requirements for U. S. citizens and permanent residents
If you are a U.S. citizen, ensure you carry proof of citizenship such as a passport, birth certificate, a certificate of citizenship or naturalization, a U.S. Permanent Resident Card, or a Certificate of Indian Status along with photo identification. If you are a U.S. permanent resident, ensure you carry proof of your status such as a U.S. Permanent Resident Card.
For all modes of entry, we recommend you carry a valid passport for all travel abroad, including visits to Canada from the United States. A passport may be required by your airline or alternative transportation authority, as it is the only universally-accepted identification document.
Citizens and permanent residents of the United States who are members of the NEXUS or FAST programs may present their membership cards to the CBSA as proof of identity and as documents that denote citizenship, when arriving by land or marine modes only.
All visitors arriving from or transiting through the United States are encouraged to visit the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Web site for information concerning the U.S. Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, and the requirements to enter or return to the United States."
(they also have commentary about traveling with minors, especially when only one parent is with the child or you are traveling with children that are not yours, which does not appear to apply to the OP)
-SW
Also useful, CBSA info for visitors to Canada:
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/ivc-rnc-eng.html
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/ivc-rnc-eng.html
ronandannette
I gave myself this tag and I "Like" myself too!
- Joined
- May 4, 2006
Which, quite frankly I resent as the latitude is not quid pro quo for Canadians crossing the U.S. border.
bcla
On our rugged Eastern foothills.....
- Joined
- Nov 28, 2012
There is.
http://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/whti-program-background
U.S. and Canadian citizens under age 16 may present only proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate or Naturalization Certificate.
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