Do I Absolutely Need A Passport or Birth Cert. For Canada?

need a passport, yeah.

No, you shouldn't NEED a passport to travel between the US and Canada, but it certainly speeds things along. You probably need a birth certificate, though, if you don't have the passport, unfortunately.

If you are an American coming in from the US you do not need a passport to enter Canada.

Well, i'm in Seattle so i've driven across plenty of times with my passport but i'm not sure if the expired date will cause a problem. i can't get my birth cert. in time so i'm hoping what i've got will work.

Svend...is your info current? We used to not have to have a passport but since Bush has been in charge, they've been requiring a passport. When was the last time you entered Canada?

I go to Canada at least one a week from the US. Twice in twenty years they have asked for my drivers license. One time I didn't have it - I was on my bike. They still let me through. Coming back to the states I've had to produce my license a half dozen times.

Thanks Jim. I've always been asked (8 times) for my DL or Passport, both coming and going. Where are you crossing? I cross at Peace Arch in Washington State. I'm going to take my expired Passport and Drivers License and keep my fingers crossed.

thanks for all the responses. Not sure i've got the definitive answer i was looking for but i've heard enough to risk the attempt.

I cross most frequently at North Troy VT / Highwater Quebec which is the ruralest of rural ports of entry. I've never owned a passport.

Shows ya how much worldly traveling I've done...

I've taken friends and family with me many times and none of them has ever been asked for the passport or birth certificate thing either.

You're good to go.

Best of luck... If you're a US citizen, you don't need a passport to get into Canada and back, although customs "likes" passports a lot more. But you do need your real birth certificate and driver's license.

Just expect to be pulled over for quite a while and possibly get your belongings searched... I'd be a little surprised if they denied you entrance, but people with more legit id have been turned away before.

are you really going to canada from the US on a jet plane?

Mind you, most of my experiences have been at the Peace Arch between BC and WA state.. and also at the ports in downtown Victoria and downtown Seattle... which are supposedly the most polite and most thorough border crossings in the divide.

(That said, I've tried to get through the Langley crossing 30 miles east of the Peach Arch to avoid traffic, and I got the most horrific treatment by Canadian customs ever.. so YMMV)

What about my expired passport? It expired in December 2004. I don't have my birth certificate but i've got this spoiled passport and my DL. I'm still a bit concerned since i've been told i'll be left at the border if i can't get in. I've got some friends in Bellingham but i don't want to take a bus home.

I'm not leaving on a jet plane but i was thinking about that swine John Denver suing New Order over nothing!

Well, you'll be hassled but you'll probably get through.. they do scan your passport electronically, and they're going to know it's expired. So rehearse your sob story. just be prepared to get hassled on your way back in, too.

I can't guarantee you'll get in, but I'd be a bit surprised if you were turned away. If you have zero crime history, and you're employed, or you have some money in your bank account, you should be fine.

If you're NOT employed, say that you are, and call the boss at your last job and let him or her know what you're about to attempt, so he or she can play along in case customs calls him or her. (I've had Canadian customs call my GRANDMOTHER once to prove I didn't steal the car I was driving, just because my car had California plates on)

why don't you call the Dept of Homeland Defense? maybe there's something you could bring or do to facilitate the crossing.

I would recommend bringing a utility bill with your address and name on it. that seems to work as a proof of residence.

try looking like you're not semitic. i hear that helps speed travel.

That's what I was gonna say. If you look at all like an arab, even by way of the Mediterranean or Ukraine, it's probably best to have full documentation.

Follow Up: The Canadian's didn't ask for any documentation. Where are you from? Where are you going? How long are you staying? Why are you here? Have a nice day.

Fun was had in B.C.

US Border grabbed passports but only looked at one.

Fun was had in Bellingham.

I'm home, The End.

yay :)