According to Canadian travel website Nature and Outdoor Travel Ontario, any persons 18 years of age or older must have a valid passport, passport card or NEXUS card in order to travel across the border. The Canadian government also requires a valid visa for people entering the country from abroad. Anyone under the age of 18 will be required to show a valid birth certificate at the border. While a passport card and NEXUS card are valid, Nature and Outdoor Travel Ontario recommends using a valid U.S. passport to make your border crossing easier.
Border guards will ask simple questions that are designed to determine your place of birth, current country of residency, destination in Canada and how long you intend to stay, according to the website for Lockport, NY. In order to avoid problems at the border, you should answer these questions with concise and accurate answers. Any jokes made are taken very seriously and could result in detainment at the border for an extended period of time. The Peace Bridge Authority monitors activity on the Peace Bridge between the U.S. and Canada, and it recommends turning off your cell phone and radio when speaking to border guards. Do not attempt to enter the country under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
When you cross the border into Canada you are allowed to bring a certain amount of personal items, including alcohol, cigarettes and food, according to Nature and Outdoor Tourism Ontario. Some items will need to be declared at the border. Call the border patrol office in your area if you have any questions about how to properly declare an item at the border.
