Can you get into Canada with a birth certificate 2023?

Canada requires proof of citizenship or resident status to enter the country under §§14(3) and 14(4) of the Passport and Travel Documents section of the Immigration Regulations of Canada (enclosed). A birth certificate is one form of proof.



As of 2026, U.S. citizens can still technically use an original or certified copy of their birth certificate to enter Canada, but only when traveling by land or sea (car, bus, train, or boat). However, the birth certificate alone is not sufficient; it must be accompanied by a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license, to prove both citizenship and identity. If you are flying into Canada, a birth certificate is not acceptable; all air travelers, including infants, are strictly required to have a valid U.S. passport or a NEXUS card. Even for land crossings, Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) strongly recommend a passport or a Passport Card, as these are "WHTI-compliant" documents that speed up the process and reduce the risk of secondary inspection. Travelers using a birth certificate in 2026 should expect more detailed questioning from border officers and should ensure the document has a raised seal or is a certified "long-form" version to avoid being turned back at the border.

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To fly to Canada, you must have a passport or a NEXUS card, which is acceptable at 9 Canadian airports. To cross by land or water, you should present a passport, or instead, a passport card or NEXUS card.

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U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents may use their I-551 (Green Card) -- instead of a passport -- for travel between Canada and the United States, by air, land, or sea. The I-551 is accepted for entry to Canada, from the U.S.; a U.S. permanent resident does not require a visa to visit Canada, regardless of citizenship.

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Ensure that you have proper identification for you and your family readily available. Acceptable forms of identification for entry into Canada include a passport, a NEXUS card and an enhanced driver's licence.

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Submit your customs and immigration declaration online using Advance Declaration up to 72 hours before you arrive in Canada. If you choose not to submit your declaration in advance, you can complete it at an airport kiosk or eGate.

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Make An Appointment at a Passport Agency or Center We have two types of appointments: Life-or-Death Emergency Service and Urgent Travel Service. You cannot walk-in. We do not charge a fee to make an appointment. You can only make an appointment by calling 1-877-487-2778.

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You can travel to these countries with a three-month valid passport:
  • Albania*
  • Lithuania.
  • Austria.
  • Luxembourg.
  • Azerbaijan.
  • Malta.
  • Belarus.
  • Moldova.


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The Canadian government requires that most visitors have a valid passport that is at least six months old at the time of entry. This means that if your passport expires in three months, you will not be allowed to enter Canada.

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