NEW INFO! Passports are not required to enter / leave Canada by land or sea until at least the summer of 2009. Verbal confirmation of citizenship will no longer be accepted when crossing a land border starting January 30, 2008. You will need identification, such as a drivers license and a proof of citizenship. (Government Pamphlet Available)
This information should act as a general guide and should by no means be viewed as authoritative. We recommend that you visit the relevant government website (e.g., US State Dept.) for official, up-to-date information.
To enter Canada from the US by land or sea, travelers need to have either a passport OR proof of citizenship AND proof of residency (explained below).
Flying in and out of Canada from the US requires a passport.
If you are flying and currently do not have a passport:
You should consider flying to a neighboring US city and crossing the border by land. This solution is win-win, because flights are cheaper to Plattsburgh / Burlington.
You should also visit the State Department's website for the information you need.
Proof of Citizenship
To enter the US from Canada, all travelers must prove their citizenship with either a passport, a birth certificate, a naturalization certificate, or a certificate of citizenship.
Driver's licenses, social security cards, voter registration cards, etc. DO NOT qualify as a proof of citizenship.
Visit the US State Department's website for more details.
Proof of Residency
The most common proof of residency is a driver's license, or any other state issued ID with the person's address on the card.
Visit the US State Department's website for more details.
