Most answers above quote regulations that apply only when flying into Canada, and/or bearing a non-US passport.
The US strengthened land border regulations after 9/11 via the WHTI, but Canada never followed suit. As a result, if:
- you are a US Citizen, and
- you enter Canada through a land border, then:
- you must prove your identity and citizenship to CBSA
- a naturalization/birth certificate, or any other document which clearly indicates your US citizenship is sufficient for proof of citizenship
- you do not require a passport.
In principle, you need a US passport (or other WHTI-compliant document) to get back into the US, even at a land border.
In practice, a US citizen cannot be denied entry to their own country. You may encounter varying degrees of delay and hassle however.
Last edited by Algorithm; Sep 28, 2019 at 9:02 am