Important Due to Covid-19, processing times for passports are taking longer than normal for both standard and expedited services.

Can my 16 and 17 yrs olds drive to and from Canada without passports?

Question: Can my 16 and 17-year-old kids drive to and from Canada without passports if accompanied by parent and sister with passports? They each have birth certificates and valid driver's licenses.


Answer: According to the entry and exit requirements for Canada listed by the U.S. Department of State, all American citizens who travel to and from Canada are required to present a valid U.S. passport or other WHTI-compliant document.

The only exception are minors under age 16 who are only required to present a government-issued photo ID (e.g. Driver’s License) and proof of U.S. citizenship such as a U.S. birth certificate.

Since your children are 16 and 17, they both require valid passports to travel to Canada.

Note, it is also recommended that a parent traveling with minor children take a notarized consent to travel form from the non-traveling parent.

Also, a passport card is acceptable for land travel to Canada.

For complete instructions on how to get a passport for your children, click the link below.

How to Apply for a New Passport

Comments for Can my 16 and 17 yrs olds drive to and from Canada without passports?

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What is required
by: Anonymous

Question: If an 18-year-old who lives in Michigan wants to travel to New York through Canada, how would that work?

Answer: If he/she is traveling by air, a valid passport book is required. If traveling by land, a passport book, passport card or any other WHTI-compliant document like an enhanced driver's license should suffice.

Teenager traveling to the United States
by: Chloe

Question: I'm currently 17 and I was wondering if weather or not I can drive in the states where the driving age is correspondent. My dad tells me that I sadly cannot drive around the US with a Canadian permit without being major (21). Is that true?

Answer: Hi, Chloe. Please contact the CBP for answers to your questions.

Can he use the expired passport to travel to Canada
by: Anonymous

Question: My son is 20 years old. His passport is expired. Can he use it to travel to Canada and back with the birth certificate?

Answer: No, he cannot. If traveling by land or sea, U.S. citizens age 16 and older need a passport book, passport card or any other WHTI-compliant document to re-enter the United States even if he enters Canada with just proof of U.S. citizenship. If traveling by air, a passport book is required.

Can he use the expired passport to travel to Canada
by: Anonymous

Question: My son is 20 years old. His passport is expired. Can he use it to travel to Canada and back with the birth certificate?

Answer: No, he cannot. If traveling by land or sea, U.S. citizens age 16 and older need a passport book, passport card or any other WHTI-compliant document to re-enter the United States even if he enters Canada with just proof of U.S. citizenship. If traveling by air, a passport book is required.

Entry
by: Anonymous

Question: Can my 16-year-old enter Canada by themselves?

Answer: Yes. However, I recommend calling the Canada Border Service Agency to make sure their regulations have not changed.

16 yr old need updated passport for Canada?
by: Anonymous

Question: My daughter obtained a passport 2 years ago at age 14, but never used it. Now there is a family emergency and our entire family wants to drive to Canada next weekend. Will she have a problem using her old passport?

Answer: Your daughter should have no problem using her passport. Passports issued to minors are valid for 5 years.

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UPDATE: Mailing delays and high demand are impacting passport processing. The Department of State's processing times begin when applications are received at a passport agency or center and not when you mail them or apply at a local acceptance facility.

Standard service may take between 10 and 13 weeks. This timeframe does not include delivery time. Mailing times vary across the country.

Expedited service takes from 7 to 9 weeks excluding mailing times on the front and back end. Current mailing delays are significant. Requesting 1-2-day mailing service is recommended.

Regional passport agencies are offering two types of appointments: Life-of-Death Emergency Service and Urgent Travel Service.

Life-or-death emergencies are serious illnesses, injuries, or deaths in your immediate family (parent, legal guardian, child, spouse, sibling, and grandparent) that require you to travel outside the United States within 3 business days.

If you need to travel due to a qualified life-or-death emergency, please call the National Passport Information Center for an appointment.

For Urgent Travel Service, you need to call 14 days before your scheduled international travel or 28 days if you also need to secure a foreign visa.

If you need to travel urgently for reasons other than a life-or-death emergency, please call the NPIC.

A registered expedited passport courier can often assist in obtaining a passport as quickly as the same day. You can learn more about this service here.

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