Can a Canadian kid travel to the US without a passport?

As of 2024, Canadian passport processing times have stabilized. Processing times are now 10 business days if you submitted the application in person, and 20 if you did it by mail. However, there are always those spur-of-the-moment trips that can be ruined if your kid doesn’t have a passport. 

But what if we told you that your kids could travel from Canada to the US and back again without a passport of their own? 

Here’s what you need to know.

Entering the US with a kid

Any Canadian child under the age of 16 can arrive in the US without a passport and still get into the country, according to the US land and sea border rules (to be very clear, 16-year-olds are not eligible: it is for those under 16). 

Those kids can travel to the US without a passport, but they will need to have one of these documents:

• a Canadian birth certificate (original or a copy)
• a Canadian Citizenship Card 
• a Consular Report of Birth Abroad
• a Naturalization Certificate
• a NEXUS card

Entering the US by land or Sea

However, this passport-free travel rule only applies if you enter the US by land or sea. 

So this means kids under 16 don’t need a passport if entering by:

• Driving across the border
• Taking a bus or train
• Taking a private boat, a ferry, or a cruise 

Other exemptions for kids to enter the US without a passport

There are some exceptions that offer even more flexibility, as they have fewer limitations.

Entering the US with a NEXUS card

The NEXUS card is a handy alternative to a passport for Canadian children entering the United States. This trusted traveler program allows cardholders of any age to cross the U.S.-Canada border without a passport. Unlike the passport exemption for under-16s (which only works for land and sea travel), the NEXUS card is good for air travel, too.

Here are some important points about using a NEXUS card:

• It works for all ages; even babies need their own NEXUS card
• You can use it for land, sea, and air travel to the U.S
• It’s valid for 5 years

However, there are a few conditions to keep in mind:

• At land borders: Children can only use NEXUS lanes if all adults with them also have NEXUS cards
• For air travel: You must fly between airports that have NEXUS kiosks
• Remember: While great for U.S. trips, the NEXUS card doesn’t replace a passport for other international travel

(The NEXUS card can replace the passport, and every savvy traveler should definitely have it to avoid almost all wait times during their travels — Flytrippers will have more details and a video in the 2^nd part of that guide.)

Entering the US as part of an organized group

While individual travel typically requires a passport, there are specific circumstances under which Canadian children can enter the United States without one. These exceptions apply to organized group travel and come with a set of strict requirements.

Here are the key points to understand about this exception:

1. Organized group travel: This exception is limited to travel with organized groups, such as school trips, sports team events, or outings arranged by religious or cultural organizations. It does not apply to family trips or individual travel.
2. Age requirement: The exception covers Canadian citizens under 19 years of age. This extends the age range beyond the standard under-16 rule for individual travel.
3. Documentation requirements: In lieu of a passport, travelers can present either an original or a copy of their birth certificate or naturalization certificate as proof of citizenship.
4. Adult supervision: The group must be accompanied by at least one adult chaperone who possesses the appropriate identification and travel documents, including a valid passport.
5. Mode of travel: This exception is applicable only to land and sea travel. It does not extend to air travel, where passports remain mandatory for all ages.
6. Additional paperwork: The group leader must carry a comprehensive list of all children participating in the trip. Furthermore, each child must have a letter of consent from their parents or legal guardians authorizing the border crossing.

It’s important to note that while these exceptions provide flexibility for certain types of group travel, they are subject to change. We strongly recommend verifying the most current information on the official U.S. Customs and Border Protection website before planning any trip to this country.

Entering the US by plane (without a NEXUS card)

The bad news is that your kid will still need a passport if you plan to enter the US by plane.

The good news is that there is a workaround to still be able to fly anywhere in the US once you’re inside the country: under-18s can fly domestically within the US without a passport, according to official TSA rules. 

So, if you want to head somewhere further from home, you can get across the land border using a birth certificate if your kid is under 16. Once you’re in the US, grab a domestic flight within the US, and your kid won’t need a passport to fly. By the way you can refer to our list of US airports near the Canadian border.

This is the same trick many have been using to:

• Avoid the US vaccination requirement for those 18 and over (the requirement is only for entry and applies at the land border too, but is not often enforced there)
• Avoid having to wear a mask on planes (the US has removed this requirement at the beginning of 2023, along with most European countries too)
• Avoid the current airport chaos (Canada is #1 worldwide for this, based on the data)
• Find cheaper flights with more generous change policies (it depends on the dates/destination and is obviously not guaranteed, as for all flights)

As a small reminder, there are no Covid restrictions to enter the US anymore.

Entering back Canada with a kid 

Of course, if your child is a Canadian citizen, you can also use his or her birth certificate and other documents we mentioned above to get back into Canada. Again, this only applies to land and sea travel. You won’t be able to fly back to Canada because the US won’t let them board an international flight without a passport. 

For older children and adults, a provincial driver’s license can also be used to cross the border back to Canada, if you were to lose your passport during your trip to the US, for example.

If you plan on crossing the US border with a minor, you may need to prove that you have legal custody to take the child out of the country (or back into Canada). Border agents are always on the lookout for missing children, so if you are traveling with someone else’s child, you will need written permission from their legal guardian.

Learning how to travel for less

Join over 100,000 savvy Canadian travelers who already receive Flytrippers’ free newsletter so we can help you travel for less!

Summary

Canadian kids can travel to the United States without a passport if they are under 16 and if they enter by land or sea. And while they can’t enter by plane, they can fly domestically once they’re in the US. Entering Canada by land or sea is not an issue either, but again, they can’t fly back to Canada from the US if they don’t have a passport.

What would you like to know about traveling without a passport? Tell us in the comments below.

See the flight deals we spot: Cheap flights

Discover free travel with rewards: Travel rewards

Explore awesome destinations: Travel inspiration

Learn pro tricks: Travel tips

Featured image: Roadtripping in the USA (photo credit: Peter Amende)

Share this post to help us help more people travel more for less: