do you need a passport for someone to travel from cananda to the us by land?

they will be traveling by car and have bc and ids

Yes, the policy went into effect this past February. However we are in a period of "soft enforcement". They will put you through the wringer and then probably let you through.

hello the answer is yes. simply one can not leave or enter the us without a passport. the good news is that the passport folks are pretty quick in renewals and new passports. if you are bringing beer back the limit is 24 bottles per person. hard liquor the rules are different. i love Canada so enjoy

You use to not have to, but due to recent law is it now required. So, yes.

You got 3 WRONG answers...notice none of them gave a source for their info? Passports are NOT needed for land travel to and from Canada yet...that will probably go into effect summer of 2009. For now, you need a gov't issued photo i.d. and a proof of citizenhip...EITHER a passport OR a birth cetificate. See site below for current info.

Don't pick me for best answer, I just want to say that CHARLIE is right and the other three are not.

The North American Travel initiative requires that travel between the US and Canada requires passport via AIR right now, and will for land travel only after some time in Summer 2009.

For land travel you DO need proof of citizenship and a government issued photo id, as Charlie says.

Charlie is right.You don't need a passport when traveling by land/sea until June 2009 You need a government issued photo ID such as a drivers license and your birth certificate.Passports are required when traveling by air

For Canadain citizens travelling by car do not need a passport. Citizenship card or Birth certificate is ok with one more photo ID or drivers licence.

I travelled just last week.

Another vote for Charlie here. You do NOT need a passport yet. Unfortunately we will soon but not yet.

If you want the official US government website that backs up what Charlie already told you, here is the link to the US Customs and Border Patrol website:

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/ready_set_go/land_travel/