Canadian Citizens do need to present a Canadian passport when entering the U.S.
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection now requires Canadians to present passports at U.S. ports of entry.
In the past, Canadians were not been required to show a Canadian passport when entering the U.S. from Canada. You used to be allowed to show any proof of Canadian citizenship (such as a birth certificate) along with your other U.S. immigration documents. That has changed.
In January 2007, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security started requiring all Canadian Citizens who enter the U.S. from Canada BY AIR after January 23, 2007 to hold a valid CANADIAN passport.
Additionally, Canadian citizens who will be entering the U.S. from Canada even by LAND (e.g. driving a car), ARE be required to have the Canadian passport
More Information:
More information on this initiative, called the "Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative" is available on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Website:
- New Requirements for entering the U.S. from Canada, Mexico and Bermuda
- New Documents To Be Required for International Air Travelers Entering or Returning to U.S.
Documents need for travel in general:
Click here for more information on documents needed for re-entry to the U.S. in general.