Essential Travel Documents for Vancouver to Seattle Border Crossing

Vancouver, BC, is just an hour north of the U.S. border, making it easy to travel to the U.S. for a day trip to Seattle or a shopping spree in Bellingham. However, gone are the days when a regular driving license was the principal form of identification to cross the border. Therefore, it’s crucial to plan ahead and ensure that all essential travel documents are in order to save time and avoid stress at the border, allowing you more time to shop and explore in the States.

This guide will help you understand which travel documents you need for the Vancouver to Seattle border crossing and how to obtain them. Additionally, be mindful of local laws when considering bringing items across the border that may not be legal in the other country, including taxable goods. You may require special documentation for importing or exporting goods, even for personal use.

What Type of Documents Do I Need to Travel from Vancouver to Seattle?

No matter how you travel from Vancouver to Seattle—whether by car, train, or bus—you must possess the appropriate travel documents to enter the U.S. and return to Canada, or you could be refused entry, potentially impacting your future travel plans. Moreover, ensure you have the necessary documents for any children accompanying you.

Canadian citizens are required to carry either a Canadian passport, NEXUS card, Free and Secure Trade (FAST) card, Certificate of Indian Status, or an enhanced driver’s license (EDL) or enhanced identification card (EIC).

In contrast, Vancouver residents who are not Canadian citizens must have a passport along with any required visas or visa waivers for travel to the U.S. It is advisable to check the U.S. Border and Protection site for country-specific details and to allow ample time before your trip to acquire any necessary visas.

What About Children Under 15?

For air travel to the U.S. from Canada, children must, like adults, present either a passport or a NEXUS card. However, when traveling by car, bus, or train (the typical mode of travel from Vancouver to Seattle), Canadian citizens aged 15 years or under are only required to present proof of Canadian citizenship, such as an original or photocopy of a birth certificate or an original citizenship card.

Furthermore, the Canada Border Agency advises that divorced or separated parents should carry copies of legal custody agreements for their children. This documentation is essential in case disputes arise and proof of legal travel authority is required.

What is an Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL) or Enhanced Identity Card (EIC)?

Enhanced driver’s licenses (EDL) and enhanced identity cards (EIC) serve as alternatives to passports, allowing Canadian citizens to cross the U.S.-Canada border. To apply for an EDL or EIC, visit one of the 16 driver licensing locations in B.C. through ICBC. Consequently, for specific locations and instructions on how to apply, refer to the ICBC site.

What is a NEXUS Card and How Do I Get One?

The NEXUS card provides expedited travel for “low risk” travelers frequently crossing the U.S.-Canada border. When traveling from Vancouver to Seattle, the NEXUS card allows for use of a special lane, consequently bypassing longer lines, which reduces wait times at the border. Additionally, this card is beneficial during air travel, helping to decrease customs line wait times.

To obtain a NEXUS card, you must pay a $50 (Canadian or U.S.) application fee, schedule an interview with both Canadian and U.S. border officials, and successfully complete the interview process. Importantly, all passengers in a vehicle must possess their individual NEXUS cards to traverse the NEXUS lane. Therefore, each traveling family member, including infants, needs a separate NEXUS card.

Check your eligibility for a NEXUS card and begin the application process at the Canada Border Services Agency site.