Can i travel to canada with us citizenship certificate

So, you've prepared everything for your trip to Canada. Your flight is booked, your suitcases are packed, accommodation is well-planned out. But before you get too excited about riding the famous Maid of the Mist boat, you need to ensure the other essential details, such as your passport, are catered for. It is crucial to consider all the requirements and documents needed to travel to Canada. In this blog, we'll discuss whether a US citizen needs a passport to have a safe and successful trip to Canada.

• Do I need a passport to travel to Canada?
• Do minors traveling to Canada need a passport?
• What other entry documents do I need to present to Canada Customs?

Do I need a passport to travel to Canada?

Canada and the United States have been good neighbors for so long that most Americans forget that they are separate countries with different laws. US passport holders traveling to Canada by air must show proof of citizenship and identity at the customs section of a Canadian airport. A current valid passport proves both identity and citizenship; no other document carries as much weight as a passport. A valid US passport with at least three months' validity is mandatory for all American passport holders flying to Canada.

Not only is a passport required for entry into Canada, but it is also needed for re-entry into the United States. If the traveler is a permanent resident of the USA, but not a citizen, they must present their green card or alien registration card. The Canadian government also requires you to purchase an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) before traveling. To get one, you will need a valid passport.

If you are entering Canada by land or sea, it is not mandatory to bring your passport. You may require other forms of identification, such as a US birth certificate, permanent resident card, naturalization certificate, or certificate of Indian status. This means your passport is not the only acceptable piece of identification, but it may speed up the process of crossing the border.

Do minors traveling to Canada need a Passport?

US citizens under the age of 16 may also not need a passport to fly to Canada but must present other proof of American citizenship, such as a copy of their birth certificate, a citizenship card, or a naturalization certificate. However, this is not recommended by the US Department of State. If there is an emergency and you need to fly back home, you will not be allowed to board an airplane without a passport.

If traveling with children and both parents are not present, the customs official will ask for the children's identification. Grandparents or guardians traveling with children under the age of 18 must present proof of custody or letters from the child's parents, permitting the child to go on the trip, together with evidence of the child's citizenship. Parents who share custody of their children must present copies of the legal custody documents.

Children under the age of 19 traveling in an organized group such as a church group, sports, or a volunteer club, can use birth certificates. The group must be supervised by an adult and he should carry a letter from the organization. The message in the letter must contain the name of the group, names of the supervising adult and the children's names, as well as a signed statement by parents granting permission for all children to go on the Canadian trip.

It's summer travel season. And if you're a metro Detroiter looking for a quick trip out of the country, a drive to Canada may be on your agenda. Here's what you need to know before making the trip.

Do I need a passport to drive to Canada?

Canadian law requires that all persons entering Canada carry both proof of citizenship and proof of identity, according to the U.S. Department of State website. 

For U.S. citizens and permanent residents, you must carry proof of citizenship, such as a passport, birth certificate, a certificate of citizenship or naturalization, a U.S. permanent resident card, or a certificate of Indian status, along with photo identification. A NEXUS card also meets the requirements.

Children under 16 need only present proof of U.S. citizenship.

If you are a permanent resident of the U.S., you must carry proof of your status, such as a U.S. permanent resident card, according to the Canada Border Services Agency.

While a U.S. citizen's government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, and proof of U.S. citizenship, such as a birth certificate or naturalization certificate, are sufficient to cross into Canada, you'll need additional documents to re-enter the United States, according to Liz Jones of Leaf Group. 

Do I need a passport to re-enter the U.S. from Canada?

According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. citizens entering the United States by land or sea are required to present a valid Western Hemisphere travel initiative-compliant document, which includes:

• U.S. passports
• U.S. passport cards
• Enhanced driver's licenses
• Trusted Traveler cards (Global Entry*, NEXUS, SENTRI, or FAST)
• Military identification cards
• * The Global Entry (GE) card is only an ENTRY document and may not be used to enter Canada, Mexico or adjacent island.

A Michigan enhanced driver's license meets driving, identification and border crossing needs, according to the state of Michigan website.

"It is a federally approved document that allows you to re-enter the U.S. when traveling by land or sea from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean," according to the site.

U.S. citizen children, ages 15 and under, arriving by land or sea from Canada may present an original or copy of his or her birth certificate (issued in the state where he or she was born), a consular report of birth abroad, or a naturalization certificate, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. If the child is a newborn and the actual birth certificate has not arrived, a hospital issued birth certificate will be accepted.

What if my passport has my old name on it?

If you're a U.S. citizen and your name has changed due to marriage, divorce or another reason and your passport has your old name on it, you can still use the passport, but you'll need to bring proof of the name change, according to U.S. Customs and Border Control. Acceptable documents include a marriage certificate, divorce decree or court documents showing a legal name change.

What does it cost to go to Canada?

It'll cost you $5 to cross the Ambassador Bridge into Canada if you're in a passenger vehicle or on a motorcycle, according to AmbassadorBridge.com. Add a trailer to either of those and it'll cost you $10.

If you opt for the Detroit-Windsor tunnel, it costs $5 for automobiles and RVs, according to dwtunnel.com. On the way back, it's only $4.50.

You could also take the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel Bus. The bus runs seven days a week and will cost you $5 each way, according to the City of Windsor website. 

Can my dog or cat travel to Canada?

Furry friends joining your Canadian road trip can enter Canada if they're accompanied by a rabies vaccination certification, according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

If your dog is less than three months old, a rabies certification is not required, but proof of the dog's age must be provided if requested. Cats less than 3 months are exempt from the requirements.

However, it's against the law to bring pit bulls into Ontario, according to Ontario's Ministry of the Attorney General website. The law does allow certain pit bulls to enter Ontario for recognized dog shows and flyball tournaments under limited circumstances.

Can I enter Canada with citizenship certificate?

Can I cross the Canadian border with my citizenship certificate?

Can U.S. citizen travel to Canada without passport?

Can I travel with citizenship certificate?