Traveling to Canada: Border Requirements for U.S. Citizens

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Living less than 150 miles from the U.S.-Canadian border and having family on the other side, we travel to Canada several times a year.  I often have people ask questions about border documentation, especially since the passport requirements came into effect in 2007. There are several misconceptions when it comes to traveling with children.

So, what do you really need to take a road trip to Canada?

• If you’re over 16, you must have either
  a valid passport card or a passport book. They are quite easy to get–it just takes a little time and planning.  You need five items: the passport form (DS-11) which you can pick up at your local post office or download online here , proof of U.S. citizenship (certified birth certificate or naturalization certificate), a government-issued photo ID (driver’s license or state ID), a color passport photo, and a check or money order to pay the fee (no cash accepted). A new passport book costs $110 plus $35 execution or acceptance fee ($145 total) and is good for ten years. If you are planning to fly to another country, you will need the passport book. If you only plan to drive, you can get away with passport card which is only $30 plus the $35 execution fee ($65 total).  Once you have these items, go to a passport acceptance facility to apply.  That sounds official, doesn’t it? Check out the U.S. Department of State for a list of places near you. Many local post offices and county clerk of courts offices are acceptance facilities. Keep in mind that passports can take up 4-6 weeks to process. You’ll need to plan ahead. There are ways to get a passport faster (including same day), but it can be expensive. Same day passports are usually reserved for life or death emergencies.
• Now, what about kids? Children ages 15 and under who are U.S. citizens do not need passports to visit Canada by car.  They do, however, need certified copies of their birth certificates.  Single parents should bring custody agreements: if you don’t have sole custody, you need to have a signed and notarized letter of authorization from the other parent stating his or her approval of the trip, as well as his or her current phone number and address. If you do have sole legal custody, bring the paperwork with you. Likewise, if you have been widowed, bring a copy of your spouse’s (or ex-spouse’s) death certificate.

• Enjoying time at the lake

• Children who are not traveling with either parent need  a letter of authorization signed by both parents (it does NOT need to be notarized) including the following: the addresses and phone numbers of each parent, the address and phone number of the adult who will be looking after the child while in Canada, and photocopies of the parents’ signed passports. We took our two-year-old grandson to Canada for a wedding last summer and had no problems at the border–but we were prepared with the proper documentation.

• Excited about the Canada Day parade!

• Children under the age of 19 who are traveling with a school, scout, church, or other organized group can also use birth certificates instead of passports. There are special rules that apply to these situations, so do your research before you go.
• You can always purchase a passport card or book for your child to use in place of the certified birth certificate. The passport card costs $15 for each child plus a $35 execution/acceptance fee ($50 total). An actual passport book will run $80 plus the $35  ($115). A child’s passport is only valid for five years, so I don’t recommend purchasing a passport book for a minor unless you plan to fly to another country. The child’s passport card is an unnecessary expense.

Whether you want to visit Niagara Falls, fish in the Kawartha Lakes, or travel to Ottawa to watch the Changing of the Guard, it’s best to be prepared.

If you are ready to cross the border and visit the falls, check out my post on the Butterfly Conservatory at Niagara Parks here.

Enjoy visiting one of my favorite countries! Happy traveling!

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