Crossing Canadian Border With Baby
Border services officers are on alert for children who need protection and check very carefully for missing or runaway children. They may question you about children who come with you to Canada or question a child who travels alone. Make sure you have the proper documents with you.
Border officials have the right to ask for proof that all parents or persons with decision-making responsibility are giving permission for a childs travel. A signed consent letter is the recommended way to show this agreement. U.S.
citizens traveling to Canada with their family are required to have certain documents in order to cross the border. The primary document needed is a valid U.S. passport for each family member, including children.
Additionally, children traveling without both parents may need a notarized consent letter from the absent parent (s) to enter ... Know what to expect at the border and be prepared. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) offers useful information for travellers leaving the country, returning home or just visiting.
Before leaving on your trip, it would certainly be safest to make a call to the specific border crossing you will be using to give them a heads up and confirm that you have the proper documentation. We list the contact information for each U.S. Canada border crossing on individual pages.
According to the Canadian Border Services Agency, minors traveling with a birth certificate and a letter of consent from parents can typically enter Canada without complications. Minors crossing the US-Canada border typically require a valid passport or a NEXUS card for identification. If traveling without parents or legal guardians, a notarized letter of consent is often necessary to prove permission for international travel.
Any visitor arriving in Canada who is under 18 years of age is considered a minor or child under Canadian immigration rules. These individuals are subject to the same immigration rules as any other visitor, regardless of their age. Minors age 15 and under may travel with either their original birth certificates/citizenship certificates OR valid U.S.
passports. Both documents attest to the bearer's U.S. citizenship.
A passport is all you need to cross borders between Canada and the United States. If your baby is born abroad, contact the nearest Canadian embassy or consulate to find out how to apply for the child's Certificate of Canadian Citizenship and passport.
