Residents returning to Canada
Acceptable documents to denote identity and/or citizenship
You should carry a valid Canadian passport for all visits abroad, including visits to the United States (U.S.). A passport may be required by your airline or alternative transportation authority, as it is the only universally-accepted identification document, and it proves that you have a right to return to Canada.
Upon arrival at a Canadian port of entry, travellers must satisfy a CBSA border services officer (BSO) that they meet the requirements for entry into Canada. For Canadian citizens, permanent residents and Registered Indians under the
Indian Act, this can be done through questioning and through verifying documentation such as a Canadian passport, a Canadian birth certificate, a permanent residence card, a citizenship card, or a Secure Certificate of Indian Status (SCIS) card.
If you do not have a passport, and are returning to Canada, the following documents can denote
identity and/or citizenship:
- NEXUS card, held by a Canadian citizen, when entering Canada by air (when coming from the U.S.), land, or marine modes
- FAST card (Free and Secure Trade), issued to a Canadian citizen (when arriving by land or marine modes only)
- Canadian Emergency Travel Document
- Canadian Temporary Passport
- Certificate of Canadian Citizenship (issued from 1954 to present)
- Enhanced Driver's License issued by a Canadian province or territory
- Enhanced Identification/Photo Card issued by a Canadian province or territory
Permanent residents of Canada who are members of the NEXUS or FAST programs must travel with a passport and proof of permanent residence, and may be asked to present these documents to the officer upon arrival at the border.
Other acceptable documents for establishing Canadian citizenship
The following documents may be used to establish
Canadian citizenship. Upon presentation by travellers, the documents should be supported by other government issued photo identification:
- Certificate of Canadian Citizenship (large form issued between January 1, 1947 to February 14, 1977)
- Certificate of Retention (issued between January 1, 1947 and February 14, 1977)
- Certificate of Naturalization (issued before January 1, 1947)
- Registration of Birth Abroad Certificate (issued between January 1, 1947 and February 14, 1977 by Canadian citizenship authorities)
- Provincial or Territorial Birth Certificate (individuals born in Canada)
Other acceptable documents to support identity
The following documents may be used to establish
your identity.
- CANPASS card (Air, Corporate Air, Private Air, Boats, Remote Area Border Crossing), held by a Canadian citizen
- Commercial Driver Registration Program card, held by a Canadian citizen
- Provincial and Territorial Driver's License
- Employment or student card with photo and signature
- Provincial Health Insurance Card
- Provincial identity card
- Canadian Forces Identification
- Police Identification
- Firearms Acquisition Certificate
- Social Insurance Number Card
- Credit Card
- Vehicle Insurance Certificate
- Vehicle Registration
