BORDER CROSSINGS
In general, US citizens and permanent residents should carry a birth or baptismal certificate or voter’s registration card. A US driver’s license is NOT accepted as proof of citizenship. Naturalized citizens should carry documents proving citizenship, such as a green card or a passport.
UPDATE March 27, 2008
The WHTI Final Rule requires travellers "to present a passport or other approved secure document denoting citizenship and identity for all land and sea travel into the United States." The new requirements are effective June 1, 2009.
· In addition to the passport, acceptable documents include a valid NEXUS Air Card or Merchant Mariner Document (MMD) will be acceptable. Also, an Enhanced Drivers License is accepted (currently only Washington State and the Province of British Columbia is issuing them, however).
All goods must be declared. Wearing apparel and personal goods for use by visitors are permitted free of duty. Persons aged 19 years and older may bring into Canada up to 50 cigars, 200 cigarettes, or 220 grams of manufactured tobacco. Persons aged 19 years and older may also bring into Canada 1.14 litres of spirits or 1.5 litres of wine or 8.5 litres of beer or ale. Revolvers, pistols, and other firearms are prohibited entry into Canada. All weapons must be declared.
Important Dates
Air Travel:
A passport-only requirment will apply to all travelers - including returning US citizens - entering the US by air from the Western Hemisphere on January 23, 2007. This new requirement includes Canadians and others who have previously been exempt from having to carry a passport.
Sea & Land Travel:
The new requirement for a passport or other secure travel document will be enforced for Western Hemisphere travel into the US by sea (cruise) or land at some point prior to June 1, 2009.
Obtaining A Passport
For Canadian Citizens: Visit the Revenue Canada, Customs and Excise website or call 204-983-3500 (from outside Canada) or 1-800-461-9999 (from inside Canada).
For US Citizens: Visit the State Department’s travel website or call the US National Passport Information Center at 1-877-4USA-PPT or 1-888-874-7793.
Please remember to allow yourself sufficient time for application processing and mailing time of the actual document.