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.

As of 2026, the rules for entering Canada for U.S. citizens remain consistent with the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). While a U.S. Passport Book is the gold standard and mandatory for air travel, there are several alternatives if you are entering by land or sea. A U.S. Passport Card is a cheaper, wallet-sized alternative valid for border crossings. Members of Trusted Traveler Programs like NEXUS or FAST can use their membership cards as a primary ID. Another highly effective option is an Enhanced Driver's License (EDL), which is currently issued by specific states like New York, Washington, Michigan, Minnesota, and Vermont; these contain a chip and proof of citizenship that satisfies border requirements. For minors under the age of 16, an original or certified copy of a birth certificate is often sufficient for land crossings. It is important to note that while Canada might allow entry with a birth certificate and a standard government-issued photo ID (like a regular driver's license), the U.S. government requires WHTI-compliant documents for your return. Therefore, relying on a simple birth certificate for adults is not recommended, as it can lead to significant delays and secondary questioning at the border.