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Is a US passport required for infants to travel to Canada by car if the infant is accompanied by both parents?

David Hill, US Immigration Expert
Answered on September 14,2023

Please see customs and border crossing information from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website.

Children- Travel Documents for infants Each American citizen must possess his or her own passport. U.S. and Canadian citizen infants are not required to have a passport for travel by land or sea - although they are required to present a copy of a birth certificate and, if not traveling with both parents, the Department of State suggest a consent letter accompany the other parent(s) due to the rise in instances of child abduction in custody cases, and a growing number of children who are the victims of trafficking.

When U.S. citizen children under the age of 16 arrive by land or sea from Canada or Mexico they may present an original or copy of their birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or a Naturalization Certificate.

If traveling domestically, a passport is not needed but If you are driving into the United States (U.S.) and have not yet received a birth certificate for a U.S. or Canadian citizen infant, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officer will accept: the birth record issued by the hospital, a letter on hospital letterhead or a letter from the doctor who delivered the child providing details of the birth, including the name of the child, time and place of birth, and the parent(s) name.

If you're flying into the United States all children and infants will require a passport, with the exception of Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs), refugees, and asylees, who will continue to use their Migrant Registration Card (Form I-551), issued by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), or other valid evidence of permanent residence status or refugee or asylee status to apply for entry to the United States.

Is a US passport required for infants to travel to Canada by car if the infant is accompanied by both parents?

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