I am 18 years old and I will be traveling to Canada will I need a passport or can I use my birth certificate?

Answer 1

It depends how you're planning to travel. If you're flying you will need your passport, or other documentation proving your citizenship. To drive in it's probably simplest with passport, although birth certificate (assuming you were born in the US) and photo ID will probably be sufficient. It's good that you're over 18, otherwise you'd have to have proof of a guardian's permission to travel into another country (I faced this hassle trying to fly to Canada with my grandparents at 16)!

Answer 2

here's what I found when I put the question in www.askjeeves.com

Canada has an open border with the United States, so crossing the border into Canada will be easy, but youll need to plan ahead. Passports are not required for native-born citizens of either country, but proof of citizenship will be required. If you have a passport, bring it or bring a certified copy of your birth certificate along with a photo ID issued by a government agency (such as a drivers license if it has your picture on it). Alien residents of the United States should have a passport and Alien Registration Card (green card; U.S. Form 1-551), but are not required to obtain a visitors visa before traveling to Canada. Citizens of countries other than the United States who are not alien residents of the United States must have a passport and may also need visitors visas. For further information, please contact the nearest Canadian Consulate or the Canadian Embassy at 1-202-682-1740, prior to departure . You can also find information about travel in Canada at http://gocanada.about.com/library/weekly/aa02198.htm.

Answer 3

Depends on where you are coming from. Normally, if you're a US citizen, a birth certificate would do, but because you are 18, you are still a minor and you would need papers from your parents giving permission for you to cross the border. If you are from another country, you will need a passport and if you are travelling by yourself, you, too, will need papers from your parents.
Check with the Canadian consulate first, so you won't have any unpleasant surprises at the border.
PS: Canada isn't the one insisting on passports for Americans coming in to Canada, it's Bush who is trying to make passports mandatory for Canadians going into the US.

Answer 4

Right now you can get through without a passport, but they will be required as of December 31. (both for canada and mexico)

I picture ID, such as a drivers license is better than birth certificate. You'll still need something to prove that's actually you on the certificate.

Happy travels!

Answer 5

If you don't have a passport, a photo ID like a Driver's license will suffice along with your birth certificate or SS card. However, the border guards may give you some grief over it. When I crossed with a passport, I had no trouble. But the people behind me had license and birth certificate, and the guard was asking them questions about where they lived and who the 16th president was a stuff like that, so I recommend a passport.

Answer 6

U need a passport now or you will soon. The laws are changing. In the past, a birth certificate was enough. Contact a travel agent, they can usually give you the most current information.

Answer 7

this year a pic id and borth cert. next year passport
No. Americans do not a passport to visit Canada. However, the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) will require American citizens to present a passport to cross the Canadian border beginning January 1, 2008.

For now, if you are an American citizen crossing the border into Canada, you need ID that proves two things: 1) Citizenship, and 2) Identity by way of a photo.

A driver's license on its own or a Social Security Card on its own are not valid ID to cross the Canadian border.

The following pieces of identification will serve as satisfactory proof of American citizenship to enter Canada:
US passport

OR


Birth certificate,

OR


Certificate of citizenship or naturalization,

AND


Photo ID, such as current driver's license

Answer 8

I was told tonight by my CPR instructor who's wife is from canada and he used to be a cop that as of july 2006 you need a passport AND a card that cost 50 bucks. The card is some other ID you have to buy. Contact your local immigration office (and i am talking about US citizens need both passport and ID card (not a license) a special new card that the government wants you to pay extra money for).

Answer 9

A birth certificate or license will work now; by 2007 a passport will be required.

Answer 10

From the consular sheet:

ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: All persons entering Canada may be required to present proof of citizenship and identity. U.S. citizens are encouraged to show a U.S. passport. If they do not have a passport, they should be prepared to provide a government-issued photo ID (e.g. Driver’s License) and proof of U.S. citizenship such as a U.S. birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or U.S. passport.