Travelilng with Grandson

Now for clarification.

A US born child, who is UNDER age 16 does NOT need a passport to enter Canada, or re-enter the USA. The adult does need a passport.

"The child DOES need to have their US birth certificate with them.

A letter of permission from both parents, and contact phone numbers, is required, should the CBSA officer want to make a phone call to check information. It should contain dates of travel and destinations and return date.

CBSA has a duty to make sure that all minor children entering Canada are NOT being kidnapped or abducted. They take that very seriously, indeed. "

x2 I would recommend a State Issued photo ID also. We went ahead and got a passport for out Son. He is very proud to show it!

No personal experience, but a friend took their own kids plus some of their kids' friends into Canada. The border guard asked one of the little friends, "Does you mother know where you are?" The kid said, "No..." (which was accurate only in the hyper-literal sense that only children can muster), which then led to a delay while the guard called the parents to make sure everything was OK. Our friends laugh about it now, but it does illustrate the truth of the posting above that Canadian border guys take their jobs very seriously.

Now for clarification.

A US born child, who is UNDER age 16 does NOT need a passport to enter Canada, or re-enter the USA. The adult does need a passport.

The child DOES need to have their US birth certificate with them.

A letter of permission from both parents, and contact phone numbers, is required, should the CBSA officer want to make a phone call to check information. It should contain dates of travel and destinations and return date.

CBSA has a duty to make sure that all minor children entering Canada are NOT being kidnapped or abducted. They take that very seriously, indeed.

Jim B.

Toronto.

We always use a consent form when traveling with our Granddaughter and I'm sure our 2 year old Grandson will be doing the same. We get all the medical and consent forms needed. In Canada there is a federal government site that a person can go to print out the consent form. It can be Googled. Some forms want it to be notarized and others don't. We do camp a lot in the U.S.

He is one lucky boy!!

When my niece visited us a couple of summers ago, I ensured she had a notarized letter from her parents indicating their permission for her to cross borders.

When we crossed into Alaska, the border agent noted she was from a different location than I. He asked her a few questions. Where was she from? Where did she go to school? What grade was she in? What was her favourite subject? Why was she in Yukon? And for how long? How did she come up! How was she going back?

She answered them all on her own, and the agent didn't ask to see the letter. He waved us on.

I hesitate to disagree with helpful advice, but please DO get a notarized parental consent from both parents. I child will get "emergency life saving care" in an emergency from an emergency hospital, but many if not most urgent care facilities will not treat a minor without authorization. We live in too litigious a society. Have a wonderful time, we've taken our grandchildren on many a road trip and they have created wonderful memories for all. And yes, we have been to a few ER's over the years, always with happy endings.

Instead of a signed/notarized letter from the parents, I would suggest a limited power of attorney from them concerning medical decisions for the child. In an emergency, the child will be treated regardless. For routine or urgent care, you could have problems in the US or Canada.

A notarized parental consent executed by both parents that details the travel itinerary and includes absolute authority regarding the care and welfare of the child. Passport, birth certificate, evidence of medical insurance and prescriptions in original containers. The passport, as I understand the entry requirements, is absolutely required to expedite enter into the US. There may be some wiggle room here as the child is a minor however, better safe than sorry!

Don't be surprised if the customs officer asks the child a few questions. Don't try to answer for him unless the officer asks you to.