US citizen visiting Canada without a passport

[EmilyS 11]

Hi folks,

Can anyone tell me whether or not a US citizen can cross the border without a US passport? Can they cross with their naturalization paper or their other foreign passport (non us)? please someone let me know ASAP, I need it for a friend of mine, thanks.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

If their other passport lets them travel visa free to Canada, they can go, but they won't be coming back to the US without a US passport.

[EmilyS 11]

If their other passport lets them travel visa free to Canada, they can go, but they won't be coming back to the US without a US passport.

Can they go back to the US with their naturalization paper?

[DC85 113]

Taken from CBP.GOV

====================================

Land or Sea Travel: U.S. citizens entering the United States by land or sea are required to present a valid WHTI-compliant document, which include:

U.S. Passports

U.S. Passport Cards

Enhanced Driver's Licenses

Trusted Traveler Cards (NEXUS, SENTRI, or FAST)

Military Identification Cards (for members of the U.S. armed forces on official orders)

U.S. Merchant Mariner Document (for U.S. citizens on official maritime business)

Military personnel traveling under orders may present photo ID and orders. Family members must present a passport (with the exception of children 15 and younger arriving by land or sea.)

Children: U.S. citizen children ages 15 and under arriving by land or sea from a contiguous territory may 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, or a Naturalization Certificate. If the child is a newborn and the actual birth certificate has not arrived from the Vital Records Department, we will accept a Hospital issued birth certificate.

Groups of Children: U.S. citizen children between the ages of 16-18 arriving by land or sea from contiguous territory and traveling with an adult supervised school group, religious group, social or cultural organization, or sports team, may also present an original or copy of his or her birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or a Naturalization Certificate.

[hikergirl 277]

*Myafi1985 posted the complete list of required documentation allowable and beat me to the punch

Edited March 15, 2013 by hikergirl

[EmilyS 11]

Land or Sea Travel: U.S. citizens entering the United States by land or sea are required to present a valid WHTI-compliant document, which include:

U.S. Passports

U.S. Passport Cards

Enhanced Driver's Licenses

Trusted Traveler Cards (NEXUS, SENTRI, or FAST

Military Identification Cards (for members of the U.S. armed forces on official orders)

U.S. Merchant Mariner Document (for U.S. citizens on official maritime business)

Does this mean they can show any 1 of the above mentioned documents to get back into the US when they are crossing a land border?

Edited March 15, 2013 by EmilyS

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Can they go back to the US with their naturalization paper?

Nope.

[EmilyS 11]

Does California's driver's license count as an Enhanced Driver's license?

[Hypnos 6,576]

Currently only Michigan, New York, Vermont and Washington offer EDLs.

http://www.getyouhome.gov/html/EDL_map.html

Edited March 15, 2013 by Hypnos

[NikLR 13,227]

No

http://www.getyouhom...ml/EDL_map.html

Plus a US citizen legally must leave and enter the USA with a US passport.

passport information here:

http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html

Edited March 15, 2013 by NikiR

[EmilyS 11]

Thanks guys I guess she won't be able to come for a visit now

[newacct 688]

.

Edited March 16, 2013 by newacct

[Rob & Monika 87]

Nope.

Not true, if you are a citizen and can prove it, they cannot deny you entry. You just get sent to secondary and have to wait for them to do background checks, which could take a while.

The issue is that Canada will not let you enter without having the proper US documentation listed previously in this thread. If they use a foreign passport to enter Canada, they will want to know where you will be going when you are done in Canada. If you say your going back to US, they will ask to see prove you can get back into US. Unless said foreign passport is a Canadian passport, then she might be able to pull it off.

Why do they have a valid foreign passport but not a GC or US Passport?

Edited March 16, 2013 by Rob & Monika

[hikergirl 277]

Why do they have a valid foreign passport but not a GC or US Passport?

They’re naturalized so they get their GC taken away when they are at the Oath Ceremony.

I would think they’d want their passport right away, but passport and photos are another expense right after paying for Naturalization. Perhaps that’s why.

[newacct 688]

The issue is that Canada will not let you enter without having the proper US documentation listed previously in this thread.

Not true.

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/security-securite/admiss-eng.html#s1

If you are a citizen of the United States, you do not need a passport to enter Canada. However, you should carry proof of your citizenship, such as a birth certificate, certificate of citizenship or naturalization, as well as photo identification.