I'd like to visit New York from Toronto by car. What ID is needed to cross the border?

Question

I was wondering if you can cross with just a drivers license and birth certificate. It seems that a passport is required at the airport -- are they as strict at the land crossing? Do they treat you differently if you're a Canadian citizen or not (i.e. is it faster)? Do they have to know when you'll be leaving, or can I leave the return date open?

Thanks in advance.

I was wondering if you can cross with just a drivers license and birth certificate.

I'm a Canadian citizen, so if you've tried this before please include any details on exactly what they need / ask, and what problems you had encountered.

Thanks in advance.

Oops - sorry about the redundancy above. I didn't realize that pressing Add Details doesn't allow me to update previous details.

Answer 1

In spite of our special privileges as North Americans, after 9/11, the rules are changing. I don't believe that a passport is required until September, but this could change if "something bad happens" in U.S. or Canada. If I was driving to Canada, I'd undoubtedly carry my U.S. Passport. You should refer to the 3 links here.

http://www.voyage.gc.ca/main/before/faq/passports-en.asp
"Do Canadian citizens need a visa and/or a Machine Readable Passport to enter or transit the United States as part of the Visa Waiver Program?

A: As of October 26, 2004, the U.S. Visa Waiver Program requires visitors from various countries to have Machine Readable Passports to enter the U.S. This requirement does not apply to Canadian citizens even if the passport is issued abroad. Canadian citizens generally do not require a visa to travel to the United States. However, non-citizen permanent residents of Canada (and their children) as well as a list of other people (i.e. foreign government officials, officials and employees of international organizations, treaty traders and investors, fiancé/es and children of fiancé/es) do require a non-immigrant visa to enter the United States. Additional information is available from Passport Canada. The U.S. Customs & Border Protection agency of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security also provides information.

Please consult the update on the status of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative for information on the proposed requirement for passport or alternate secure document (still to be determined) for entry of all visitors, including Americans and Canadians, to the United States."

http://www.voyage.gc.ca/dest/report-en.asp?country=308000
Specific information about Canadians entering/exiting U.S./Canada border.

More from U.S. Homeland Security in 2006...
http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/publicaffairs/newsrels/031403_newrules.htm

Answer 2

You only need a drivers license until January 2007.

You are treated no differently.

You need to give a return date.

You will have a good time.

Answer 3

they say its not required. but bring one.... trust me... i was held up at the border for 2 fricking hrs... and im a US citizen for crying out loud!

Answer 4

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