Planning a family vacation or road trip that includes a visit to Canada involves more than simply driving across the border, as you used to be able to do in the 1990s. Customs officials are now treating travel to Canada just like they do travel to any other foreign country, although the state department has created a smaller and less expensive Canada-only passport card. The rules for traveling to Canada with children are a bit different than they used to be, and you may not have to go through the entire passport process if you do a little planning in advance.
All adults on your trip, as well as any children 16 years or older, will need a U.S. passport. There are no exceptions to this rule. Make sure anyone who falls into this category applies for and receives a passport before your trip. You may order a mini passport card if the only travel you will be doing is to Canada, but if there is a chance that you will be traveling to any other foreign countries, it is a good idea to get a regular passport.
Have with you a certified copy of the birth certificates of all children in your party 15 years old and younger. Make sure you have this paperwork before you leave on your trip. You will need to show them to the customs officials.
Be aware of the rules about taking children across the border. If both custodial parents are in the car, the child's birth certificate is all that you need. If the child has a custodial parent that is not in your vehicle with you, you will need a signed and notarized statement from that custodial parent giving permission for you to cross with the child. Married parents must follow the same rules as divorced or single parents, as customs officials have no knowledge of your marriage situation. All statements from the parents should include a cell phone number or other contact number, as well as dates of travel, parents’ names and photocopies of their state-issued IDs, according to the U.S. Department of State.
Prepare older children to answer questions. Customs officials may want to ask your children questions about their trip or travel plans; let the children know that it is all right to speak with this stranger and to tell the truth.
