I thought American citizens needed a passport to enter Canada

[Ponga]

My parents have enhanced drivers and I have a passport. My friend had asked about it prior to my wedding in Canada as she had neither and they said you need one or the other.

Also as a note they told me that my son (2 months old) can use his birth certificate until he was 16 ( although he has a passport for his citizenship certificate)

But that's not what the CBSA website states.

Gotta love the consistency of information!

 

[Alurra71]

But that's not what the CBSA website states.

Gotta love the consistency of information!

It's getting BACK into the US that is the problem Ponga, not getting into Canada CBSA is pretty easy going. They'll let you in with just about anything, however, CBP is a bunch of hard a$$es

 

[Ponga]

Oh I know, but when the previous poster stated that "...they said you need one or the other.", I thought the `they' was CBSA.

Seems crazy that U.S. CBP would deny a person born in the U.S. from returning, but...

 

[blueangel371115]

Yup, my friend said that's what they told her but the person she talked to could be wrong. She had no trouble getting in but they were concerned about her getting back due to proper ID for citizenship as all she had was a temporary one. However, I trust my friend implicitly others not so much

 

[MilesAway]

Oddly enough, something like that happened to one of my students. He was visiting New York with his cousin (who immigrated there and became a US citizen). The student is Russian and has a visa.
They crossed the bridge at Niagara Falls, walked around, and then came back. The Russians had no problem coming back, but because the Americans did not have their passports, it took them over an hour to convince the border guards to let them back in.

 

[blueangel371115]

That's really weird but it makes sense, post-9/11 . We don't want anyone just walking in here and disappearing. Sad really that it has to be that way.

 

[Mariac819]

I don't even know if this is an option - but just a thought. If you really are "stuck" in a foreign country because you decided to leave the USA with out a passport (silly move). Can't you go to a U.S. embassy and figure something out? I mean if your passport is lost or stolen you can go to the embassy. So maybe they can help in cases where someone doesn't have one but needs proof of citizenship.

 

[keesio]

I don't even know if this is an option - but just a thought. If you really are "stuck" in a foreign country because you decided to leave the USA with out a passport (silly move). Can't you go to a U.S. embassy and figure something out? I mean if your passport is lost or stolen you can go to the embassy. So maybe they can help in cases where someone doesn't have one but needs proof of citizenship.

Probably. I renewed my US passport at the US embassy in Toronto. I'm sure they can give you some certificate.

 

[Mariac819]

Probably. I renewed my US passport at the US embassy in Toronto. I'm sure they can give you some certificate.

Good to know! Was it like the USA process. Fill out the application - hand in your old one, pay the fees etc?

 

[fugaziosbourne]

I don't even know if this is an option - but just a thought. If you really are "stuck" in a foreign country because you decided to leave the USA with out a passport (silly move). Can't you go to a U.S. embassy and figure something out? I mean if your passport is lost or stolen you can go to the embassy. So maybe they can help in cases where someone doesn't have one but needs proof of citizenship.

You can get a passport at the embassy. I came to Canada without one. It's pretty much the same process as if you're applying for it in the states.

http://toronto.usconsulate.gov/service/passports-and-citizenship.html

 

[keesio]

Good to know! Was it like the USA process. Fill out the application - hand in your old one, pay the fees etc?

I think so. I can't remember for sure but the process was similar.

 

[truesmile]

I don't even know if this is an option - but just a thought. If you really are "stuck" in a foreign country because you decided to leave the USA with out a passport (silly move). Can't you go to a U.S. embassy and figure something out? I mean if your passport is lost or stolen you can go to the embassy. So maybe they can help in cases where someone doesn't have one but needs proof of citizenship.

Ya and that's why we're all supposed to travel with copies if our passport, let alone the original. To make it easier to "figure something out", if it's stolen or whatever.

 

[GustavesF]

I've been a Nexus card holder for 2 years now and twice the USA has asked for my passport. So I always carry it as well. YOU NEVER KNOW!!

First time I ever crossed to the USA with my Nexus card they asked for my passport and since I didn't have it with me I got pulled into secondary inspection, was almost denied entry, and almost lost my Nexus card.

Read the Nexus terms and conditions, you need to have your passport with you at all times. It's not for the convenience of not having a passport with you, it's to use expedited processing lanes.

 

[keesio]

It used to be that for US or Canadian citizens crossing via land border, a NEXUS card is all that you need (non-US/Canadian citizens need it). I was explicitly told this when I had my interview. I remember clearly since I asked the question like 3 times.

I'm not sure if things have changed since then. But many people seem to say everyone needs a passport now.

 

[GustavesF]

It used to be that for US or Canadian citizens crossing via land border, a NEXUS card is all that you need (non-US or Canadian citizens need it). I was explicitly told this when I had my interview. I remember clearly since I asked the question like 3 times.

I'm not sure if things have changed since then. But many people seem to say everyone needs a passport now.

The problem is that no matter who you ask, there's always a chance that whomever you were talking to was just plain wrong, or were just commenting on what "typically works".

Technically you are supposed to be able to fly between Canada and the US with a Nexus card and an Enhanced driver's license. Just don't try that anywhere too far from a land border because no one will even know what a Nexus card is.

Always have a passport.