Hello Karlan,
According to this State Department site, updated November, 2004,
you do not need a passport to enter Canada from the US.
CANADA ? Passport or proof of U.S. citizenship such as a birth
certificate, naturalization certificate, and photo ID required. Minors
(under 16) traveling alone or in someone else's custody must present
written authorization, signed before a notary, from the parent(s) or
guardian. Visas are not required. Canadian immigration officials at
ports of entry will issue persons planning to stay longer than 180
days a visitor's record. Anyone with a criminal record (including a
DWI charge) should contact the Canadian Embassy or nearest Consulate
General before travel. U.S. citizens entering Canada from a third
country must have a valid passport. For student or business travel,
check with the Canadian Embassy, 501 Pennsylvania Ave., NW,
Washington, DC 20001 (202/682-1740) or nearest Consulate General: CA
(213/346-2701), MI (313/567-2085), NY (212/596-1700 or 716/858-9501),
or WA (206/443-1375). Internet: www.canadianembassy.org
http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/brochures/brochures_1229.html
Consular Services says the same thing. This site also covers customs,
and items that can and cannot be brought into and out of Canada:
?When entering Canada from the United States, U.S. citizens must show
either a U.S. passport or other proof of U.S. citizenship - such as an
original or certified birth certificate together with photo
identification. U.S. citizens entering Canada from a third country
must have a valid passport. A visa is not required for U.S. citizens
for a stay up to 180 days.
Special Circumstances
Traveling with Children Due to international concern over child
abduction, children traveling with one parent, grandparents or other
guardians should carry proof of custody or letters from the
non-accompanying parent/s authorizing travel. (This is in addition to
proof of the child's citizenship.) Travelers without such
documentation may experience delays when seeking admission to another
country. Any person under the age of 18 and traveling alone should
carry a letter from his/her parent or guardian authorizing the trip.
Travelers without such documentation may experience delays at the port
of entry. Criminal Record Anyone with a criminal record (including a
drunk driving conviction) may be excluded from Canada. A waiver of
exclusion may be issued but several weeks are required and a
processing fee must be paid. Contact the Canadian Embassy or a
Canadian Consulate in the U.S. or use the link below for more
information.
http://www.amcits.com/entry_ca.asp
This site recommends calling shortly before your trip to verify if any
rules/laws have changed. (I have posted contact numbers below)
?Crossing the Canadian / United States of America border
Rules governing the entry of foreigners are subject to change and you
should check with the relevant authorities close to the time you will
be making a crossing. Generally crossing this border is
straight-forward and will include going through immigration customs
both ways. The biggest hassle is usually the length of the queues, so
consider avoiding peak times such as public holidays and the start and
end of the working day.?
?Ensure you have the necessary papers. Identification papers such as
a passport or birth certificate are recommended over a driver's
license or voter registration card. You also may be asked to show a
return air ticket or proof of sufficient funds. Know the rules and
make sure your appearance is not cause for suspicion (probably not a
good day to be wearing your "legalize marijuana" t-shirt!). Customs
inspectors do have the power to ruin a vacation. If you come under
strong scrutiny for any reason, answer questions directly and
politely. Tempting though it may be, wise-cracking and rudeness will
only be to your own detriment.?
?Border officials are on the lookout for stolen cars, or people
attempting to avoid paying duties on bought cars. So you will want to
be carrying documentation to show you are not perpetrating such
scenarios.
Driving a rental car across the US-Canadian border is usually not a
problem, so long as you have made this arrangement with the car rental
company. Make sure you have a copy of the rental agreement with you,
and that is states you have permission to take the vehicle across the
border.
If you are driving a private car which isn't registered in the name of
someone going on the trip, bring written proof that you have the
permission of the owner to take the car into the other country.?
http://www.gonorthwest.com/Visitor/planning/border/border.htm
According to US Customs and Border Protection, you won?t need a
passport for entry to and from Canada until Dec. 31, 2007 if you
drive. If you are flying, you will need a passport by Dec. 31, 2006.
?Travel from within the Western Hemisphere (North, Central or South America)
U.S. citizens:
· Are exempt from passport requirements. However, it is highly
recommended that a U.S. Citizen be prepared to present documentation
such as valid or expired U.S. passport, U.S. birth certificate, or
Naturalization certificate to avoid delays.
· Exception?travel from Cuba, valid U.S. passport is required.
Important Note: The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative will soon
require all travelers to and from the Americas, the Caribbean, and
Bermuda to have a passport or other accepted form of documentation to
enter or reenter the United States. The program will be rolled out in
phases. The proposed timeline is as follows:
· December 31, 2005: Requirement applied to all travel (air/sea) to or
from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Central America and South America.
· December 31, 2006: Requirement applied to all air and sea travel to
or from Mexico and Canada.
· December 31, 2007: Requirement extended to all air, sea and land
border crossings.?
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/
?Millions of Americans will be required to show passports when they
reenter the United States from Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean by
2008 under new rules announced yesterday by the State and Homeland
Security departments.
The new policy, designed to thwart terrorists from exploiting the
relative ease of travel in North America, means that Americans who
lack U.S. passports will have to obtain them to travel between the
United States and neighboring nations. It also will require Mexicans
and Canadians to present either passports or another official document
to enter this country, with details to be determined.
Currently, U.S. citizens in most cases need to show only driver's
licenses to reenter this country from Mexico and Canada, though
officials said that since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, some officials
at border crossings at times have asked for additional documents.?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A28188-2005Apr5.html
A very detailed document on importing good from Canada from US Customs
http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/toolbox/publications/travel/knowbeforeyougo.ctt/knowbeforeyougo.pdf
Contact numbers (for verifying no rules have changed):
======================================================
For more information about going into Canada, phone the
border-crossing post directly. For answers to Canadian customs
enquiries, or to locate the nearest Canadian customs district office,
call the following telephone numbers: From within Canada, call:
(toll-free) 1-800 461-9999. From outside Canada, call: 204-983-3500;
or, 506-636-5064 (long-distance charges apply). Inquiries about visa
cases and the application process: 202-663-1225
http://www.gonorthwest.com/Visitor/planning/border/border.htm
This State Department page outlines all you will need to know for
getting a passport for the future.
http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/first/first_832.html
About getting a passport: ?This is the only official U.S. Government
website for passport information. If you have a travel emergency,
please call the National Passport Information Center to speak to a
Customer Service Representative. Website for Passport Information.
Telephone Number: 1-877-4USA-PPT (1-877-487-2778)
http://travel.state.gov/passport/about/npic/npic_898.html
Enjoy your trip to Toronto ? it?s a lovely city.
If any part of my answer is unclear, please request an Answer
Clarification, before rating. I will be glad to assist you further
through the Answer Clarification process.
Regards, Crabcakes
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