Is a passport required to drive across canada to Alaska?

Question

I am moving to Anchorage from San Jose, Ca. I will be driving with my dog. I do not have a passport but have plenty of photo id's, drivers lic., military id, student id, etc. Any advice?

Answer 1

Currently you do not need a passport for land travel between these borders. Just a birth certificate and backup form of ID (driver's license, etc.) However, the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (P.L. 108-458) requires the Department of Homeland Security to create and implement a plan to require both U.S. citizens and foreign nationals to present a passport or other document to prove identity and citizenship when entering the United States. The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) was established to implement this plan. In order to strengthen border security and smooth the entry process into the United States, the WHTI will require all travelers entering the United States to present either a valid passport or, for U.S. citizens only, a valid Passport Card.

The implementation date for the WHTI was January 23, 2007, for all air travel from within the Western Hemisphere for citizens of the United States, Canada, Mexico and Bermuda. The deadline for means of travel by land and sea has been extended to as late as June 1, 2009. Because the WHTI will generate a great change in the travel industry, the deadline was extended to ensure that all entities affected by the change are prepared. Particularly, the extended deadline will ensure that the technology used for the new Passport Card is adequately shared with and understood by Canada and Mexico, that the new technological infrastructure necessary for processing the Passport Cards has been installed in the Nation's ports of entry, and that the employees at these ports of entry have been properly trained to handle the new procedures.

Updated regulations have exempted children aged fifteen and younger with parental consent to travel will be allowed to cross the borders at land and sea entry points with certifiied copies of their birth certificates rather than passports. Additionally, children aged sixteen through eighteen traveling with school, religious cultural or athletic groups and under adult supervision will also be allowed to travel with only their birth certificates.

Answer 2

You don't need a passport if you're driving across - only flying. You will, however, need your birth certificate and additional photo ID - driver's license, student id, etc. Anything to show you are an American citizen. Plus, it should be a breeze since you are only driving through.

Answer 3

You will be fine. Make sure you have a copy of your birth certificate or other proof of citizenship ... military I.D. may work, but I still would take birth certificate if you can. Also, have proof of rabies vaccination with you for your dog.

If you have a carload/truckload of personal belongings, esp. if you also have some furniture and/or electronics, make a list of everything you have with you, in detail. Be aware of how much alcohol, cigarettes, and such you can take across with you without paying duty on them.
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/newsroom/factsheets/2004/0816duty-e.html

Enjoy the scenery!!

Note: Passports for land/sea travel become requirement as early as Jan 2008, but not scheduled date as yet.
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html

Answer 4

This is the last year that you will be able to enter Canada without a passport when driving -