Travel Documents for US–Canada Land/Air Crossings

Travel Documents for US–Canada Land/Air Crossings

A birth certificate + driver’s license is not sufficient for most travelers crossing the US–Canada border today.

Entering Canada (by Land)

US citizens need one of:

• U.S. Passport book
• U.S. Passport Card
• Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL) — only MI, NY, VT, WA issue these
• NEXUS card
• FAST card (commercial drivers)
• SENTRI card
• Tribal ID (certain nations)

Entering Canada (by Air)

• U.S. Passport book required (Passport Card not valid for air).

Entering the US from Canada

• US citizens: Passport book, Passport Card, EDL, NEXUS, FAST, SENTRI, or Military ID + orders.
• Canadian citizens: Passport, EDL (BC, MB, ON, QC), NEXUS, FAST, SENTRI, or Enhanced Tribal Card.
• Other nationals: Visa or eTA (Canada) / Visa or ESTA (US) as applicable.

Why Birth Certificate + DL Doesn’t Work

• Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI, 2009) mandated secure, machine-readable documents.
• Birth certificates lack photo, biometrics, and anti-fraud features.
• Exception: Children <16 (or <19 with school/group) entering by land/sea may use original/certified birth certificate alone.

Check Before You Go

• travel.state.gov (US)
• IRCC (Canada)