Proper Identification to Enter US
What Documents You Now Need To Show When Crossing the Border
New immigration laws went into effect on Thursday. So what documents do you need to show now when you cross the Canada/U.S. border?
A new U.S. law stating that anyone entering the United States by land or sea must show proof of citizenship took effect on Thursday January 31, 2008.
Under new rules adopted after the September 11 terrorist attacks, citizens of both countries traveling to Canada or the United States must show proper identification, however, these rules won’t be strictly enforced until June 2009.
Despite the tough new law, U.S. Customs Officials say they won’t turn away Canadians crossing the border, even if they don’t have proper identification. Instead Customs will give these travellers a pamphlet describing the proper identification necessary for entering the U.S. as a means to educate the population.
Proper Identification To Enter The U.S. or Canada by Sea or Land
- A valid US or Canadian passport
- U.S. Passport Card (spring 2008)
- NEXUS, SENTRI, or FAST traveller cards
- Government issued valid driver’s license
- Enhanced Tribal Cards
- U.S. Military Identification accompanied by Military Travel Orders
- U.S. Merchant Mariner Documents
- Native American Tribal Photo Identification Card
- Form I-872 American Indian Card
- Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) Card
Other Documents
Canadian or U.S. Citizens unable to produce any of the above identification documents have another option. They can show one identification document and one citizen document from the lists below.
Identification Documents
- Valid government issued driver’s license or identification card
- Military identification card issued from the U.S. or Canada
For an identification document to be valid, it must include a photo, full name and date of birth.
Citizenship Documents
- Canadian Citizenship Card
- Canadian certificate of citizenship without photo
- Valid government issued U.S. or Canadian birth certificate
- U.S. Consular report of birth abroad
- U.S. Certificate of Citizenship
- U.S. Citizen Identification Card
- U.S. Certificate of Naturalization
Since January 2007, anyone entering the United States or Canada by air must have a valid Canadian or US passport.
Canadian citizens do not need a visa to enter the United States under the Immigration and Nationality Act (section 212(a)(7).), however must be able to both identity and citizenship. In the past an oral declaration of citizenship was accepted according to the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol website, but that has become a thing of the past.
The Canadian Government strongly recommends that any Canadian travelling to the United States for a day or a summer long road trip, present a valid passport at the border to ensure a smooth crossing,
Canada and the United States share the longest and friendliest border or any two nations in the world. More than 800,000 people enter the United States either by land or by sea every day.
Sources:
CBC News, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol
