Crossing the US Canadian Border by Land - Do I Need a US Passport?

The rules and regulations for crossing the US/Canadian border by land have changed over the years. It can be difficult to determine what kind of documentation (i.e. US passport), if any, is required for a routine, short-term US/Canadian border crossing. Knowing the facts before crossing the US/Canadian border by land will help save you time and trouble on your trip and lead to fewer delays at border patrol.
 
The US Department of Homeland Security, in cooperation with Canadian, Mexican and other Western Hemisphere country officials, has made a number of changes to border crossing regulations and requirements in recent years. The changes have been implemented in stages, with grace periods allowing some lenience for certain types of travel and travelers. The department has used media campaigns as well as word-of-mouth education to inform travelers of the most recent changes in regulations regarding crossing the US/Canadian border by land, which went into effect on January 31, 2008. These changes were made in anticipation of the full implementation of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative on June 1, 2009.
 
Current regulations for crossing the US/Canadian border by land state that all adult visitors (ages 19 and up) must present the following documentation at the border:
 
* A current, valid US passport OR
* One form of government-issued identification which bears a photo PLUS
* Proof of citizenship (i.e. birth certificate or naturalization certificate.)
 
Travel visas are not currently required for short term land travel across Canadian/US borders.
Children (ages 18 and under) who cross the border with a verified adult will need to have either a current US passport or documentation verifying citizenship (i.e. a birth certificate or naturalization certificate.)
 
When the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative becomes fully operational on June 1, 2009, all citizens over the age of 15 will be required to supply one of the following forms of identification when crossing the US/Canadian border by land:
 
* A valid US passport.
* Government-issued proof of identity with photo AND proof of citizenship.
 
All governments involved in the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative are strongly recommending that citizens apply for and carry a US passport when crossing the US/Canadian border by land. A US passport is the only universally accepted form of travel documentation. Carrying a US passport will greatly reduce your chances of being delayed at the border, whether crossing into Canada or back home to the United States. Travelers who do not possess a US passport may be looked upon with suspicion, even if other documentation is in order. Border officials on both sides reserve the right to detain travelers or refuse entry altogether if they feel that something is amiss. This is why the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is urging all citizens to obtain a US passport. In the end, it ensures smooth border crossings both for travelers and for border agents.

Canadian Passports - Be In The "Know" Or Prepared To Be Frustrated

If you are planning to apply for a Canadian passport, you need to know the application procedures and the time required to get a passport in order to get it before your upcoming trip. With heightened international security passports are required for travel into territories that once only required valid I.D.

While in-person applications are usually processed in two weeks (this excludes delivery delay), your applications sent via mail or through a receiving agent (Canada Post or Services Canada) may take up to ten weeks. While this is best case scenario, passport application requests are at an all time high and you need to ask your local issuing office what the turnaround time is.

For applications sent through mail from the U.S. will require about twelve weeks to process them. Sometimes, there may be a delay in getting your passport due to the rapidly growing volume of passport applications that the passport office receives each day.

It is obvious from the time frame mentioned above that you wouldn't want a further delay in getting your Canadian passport, which you may badly require to go on a holiday or a business trip.

Use the checklist listed below to rule out the possibility of making common errors that lead to delay in getting your Canadian passport:

Have you sent your application well in advance before your scheduled trip?

It's your responsibility to ensure that you have filled the Canadian passport application form correctly. Incomplete or incorrect forms can be rejected and ruin your chances of going abroad.

If you are applying for a new passport because you lost your old one or it was stolen, you need to submit a Statutory Declaration form (PPT 203) along with your application. You can download this form from the website http://www.passportcanada.gc.ca and avoid delay in processing your application.

Have you filled in the date of travel box on the application form? Since this filed cannot be left blank, you must either enter your date of travel or mark it as "unknown".

Before submitting your form, make sure that your personal and citizenship information has been filled. Often, people forget to fill up important details such as height, weight, hair color, and phone number(s).

When applying for your Canadian passport, you need to attach a legal document to prove your Canadian citizenship. While enclosing documents, please be aware that you cannot send a photocopy of the documents.

One reason why passport application may not be accepted is that the photos furnished are not identical. Make sure that you get your photos from commercial photographers who understand the specific requirements. Before submitting the photographs, make sure that your guarantor signs the back of one photo. Your passport photo must be clear and must show a neutral facial expression.

Another important document to be enclosed with your application form is the identification document. You need to either send an original copy of your Identification documents or send clear and legible photocopies (of both the sides) of the documents. If you are planning to send photocopies, your guarantor must certify them. It is important that the name on the identification documents matches the name you have mentioned in your passport application form.

You need to ensure that your guarantor has completed the section 2 (Declaration of Guarantor) of the application form before you submit your passport application.

And last but not the least, don't forget to sign the Canadian passport application form and enclose the fees with your Canadian passport application form.