Topic:VITAL STATISTICS; INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS;
Location:INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS;
February 25, 1998 98-R-0213
FROM: Chelsea Turner, Legislative Fellow
RE: Entering Canada
You asked what is the source of the rule that a birth certificate is required to enter Canada and who could be approached to request a change to that policy.
SUMMARY
Canada requires proof of citizenship or resident status to enter the country under §§14(3) and 14(4) of the Passport and Travel Documents section of the Immigration Regulations of Canada (enclosed). A birth certificate is one form of proof. A request to change this policy should be directed to either the Prime Minister of Canada or the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration.
VISITOR REQUIREMENTS FOR PERSONS FROM THE UNITED STATES
The requirements for entry into Canada are laid out in the Immigration Regulations of Canada's Immigration Act. §§ 14(3) and 14(4) of the Passport and Travel documents section address the entry requirements (enclosed). A complete version of these regulations may be accessed from the following website: http://canada.justice.gc.ca/cgi-bin/folioisa.dll/eregs.nfo/query%3Dentering+canada/doc/%7B113025%7D.
According to Sue Lopez of the Canadian Consulate, while the specific documents needed for entry into Canada are not clearly laid out in the Regulations, the documents required are implicit within the language. The U.S. Visitors Travel Information Guide prepared by the Canadian Tourism Commission states that United States citizens and permanent residents entering Canada must have proof of their citizenship or residence status. For U.S. citizens, a passport or visa is not required. Instead, a birth certificate and one photo identification card may be used; however, a photo identification card by itself is not enough. For permanent residents of the United States, “Green Cards” may be used in lieu of their passports.
CONTACTS TO CHANGE IMMIGRATION POLICY
A request to change the immigration policy should be directed to either the Prime Minister of Canada or the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration. Their contact information is as follows:
The Right Honourable Jean Chretien
Prime Minister of Canada
309 S Centre Block
House of Commons
111 Wellington Street
Ottowa, Ontario
Canada K1A0AZ
Phone: (613)992-4211
The Honourable Lucienne Robillard
Minister of Citizenship and Immigration
365 Laurier Avenue West
Jean Edmonds Towers
Ottowa, Ontario
Canada K1A1L1
Phone: (613)954-1064
Fax: (603)957-2688
Website: http://cicnet.ci.gc.ca
CT:pa
FAQs
Entry into Canada: Canadian law requires that all persons entering Canada carry proof of citizenship and identity. A valid U.S. passport, passport card, or NEXUS card satisfies these requirements for U.S. citizens. Children under 16 only need proof of U.S. citizenship.
What do you need to cross the Canadian border by car? ›
Ensure that you have proper identification for you and your family readily available. Acceptable forms of identification for entry into Canada include a passport, a NEXUS card and an enhanced driver's licence.
Do I need a Covid test to enter Canada? ›
Effective October 1, 2022, COVID-19 border entry restrictions were removed. In addition, testing, quarantine and isolation requirements were removed, regardless of citizenship and vaccination status.
Can I use my birth certificate to go to Canada? ›
Can I enter Canada with my birth certificate? While U.S. citizens used to be able to enter Canada with a birth certificate, the country now requires additional forms of photo identification. The following documents are generally accepted at the Canadian border: A U.S. passport.
What to know before traveling to Canada? ›
10 Things You Should Know Before Travelling to Canada in Your First Visit
- Get Travel Insurance.
- Be Weather-Ready.
- Check the Visa Requirements and Apply as Per Your Purpose.
- Plan an Appropriate Budget to Visit Canada.
- Canada Is Too Large to See in One Visit.
- Opt For Driving Through Destinations in Canada.
If you've been away 48 hours or more: You can claim goods worth up to C$800 without paying any duty and taxes, and you must have the goods with you when you enter Canada. If you've been away seven days or more: You can claim goods worth up to CAN$800 without paying any duty and taxes.
Can I buy groceries in the US and bring them back to Canada? ›
Travellers coming into Canada can carry food with them for their own personal use, provided the food is imported within the specified personal exemption limits of the Safe Food for Canadian Regulations and there are no restrictions in place under other federal legislation, such as the Health of Animals Act or the Plant ...
How much is the toll to enter Canada? ›
Toll Rates
| E-ZPass ($USD) | $USD |
|---|
| Autos+Trailer or 7'6" Tall | $8.00 | $12.00 |
| Commercial: | |
| 2 Axles | $7.00 | $9.00 |
| 3 Axles | $11.00 | $15.00 |
7 more rowsYou can bring your vehicle into Canada temporarily as a visitor or temporary resident. Your vehicle doesn't have to meet Canadian standards and must be only for your own use. You can also bring your vehicle for personal use while you're in Canada on a work permit or student visa.
Can I travel to Canada unvaccinated? ›
As of October 1, 2022, proof of vaccination is no longer required to enter Canada, or board a plane or train in Canada.
All travelers entering Canada by air, rail, road, or marine vessel, must provide their travel information through ArriveCAN. Only individuals with accessibility needs, asylum seekers, and refugees are exempt from using ArriveCAN.
Do you need a passport to enter the U.S. from Canada by car? ›
Travel by land or water
As per the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), Canadian citizens aged 16 years and older must present one of the following documents when entering the United States by land or water: a valid passport. a Trusted Traveler Program card.
What does a US citizen need to enter Canada by car? ›
Entry into Canada
If you are a citizen of the United States over the age of 16, you will need a Passport, a Passport Card or Enhanced Driver's Licence (only issued by certain states) to enter Canada.
Can I use my driver's license to get into Canada? ›
A valid U.S. passport or passport card is preferred, although a birth certificate, naturalization certificate, citizenship certificate, or another document proving U.S. nationality, together with a government-issued photo ID (such as a driver's license) are acceptable to establish identity and nationality.
Can I get back into the US from Canada with just my birth certificate? ›
United States and Canadian citizen children under age 16 arriving by land or sea from contiguous territory may also present an original or copy of his or her birth certificate (issued by the Vital Records Department in the state where he or she was born), a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, a Naturalization Certificate, ...
Can a US citizen enter the US without a passport? ›
You are not allowed to enter on your foreign passport, because U.S. law requires all U.S. citizens to enter and depart the U.S. on a valid U.S. passport.
Can you get into Canada with an enhanced driver's license? ›
Enhanced driver's licenses are recognized as valid travel documents for land and sea entry into Canada. Ensure that your temporary enhanced license clearly states it's enhanced and has a machine-readable zone.
What do I need to travel to Canada as a US permanent resident? ›
Lawful permanent residents of the U.S. must present these documents for all methods of travel to Canada:
- a valid passport from their country of nationality (or an equivalent acceptable travel document) and.
- a valid green card (or equivalent valid proof of status in the United States)
You can bring your vehicle into Canada temporarily as a visitor or temporary resident. Your vehicle doesn't have to meet Canadian standards and must be only for your own use. You can also bring your vehicle for personal use while you're in Canada on a work permit or student visa.
