Crossing the border?

what do you need to cross the border from california to vancouver on a bus? like passport? id? birth certif?

Some of the answers above are wrong, all you need is a government photo identification, plus proof of citizenship (eg Birth certificate). A passport satisifies both of these requirements, but it is not mandatory to have a passport unless you are flying. More information at www.cbsa.gc.ca

look on canadian gov website for immigration/visiting rules

You should bring your passport to get back into the US you will need it.

You need a passport. I went there last year and they stoped taking your state ID's as far as I know but I know it doesn't hurt to have your Birth Cerif if you have it but an official copy. Just don't lose it its a pain the butt if you do either one. Photo copy them both and but them in different place's.

Iv crossed into canada a few times already. Bring two forms of picture ID, and your social security card. So for the ID bring driver's license/state ID and passport. Might I also recommend that everything you put in your suitcase or luggage, account for on paper and keep it handy with you, its always nice to show on paper what you have in your luggage incase of a custom's check. Hope you have fun on your trip.

The rules regulating travel by land have confused a lot of people simply because regulation changes have been proposed with tentative dates put into place. These dates have then been changed which have caused a lot of confusion. A passport was to have been required as of January, 2008 for all travel. This was then delayed until July, 2008 and has been further delayed by Congress until sometime in 2009 (I have heard anywhere from March to July).

The best form of ID for international travel is your passport however it is not required for travel by land or sea into Canada presently. Currently, government regulations require one piece of government issued photo ID (i.e. Driver's License) and your birth certificate. In the case where an individual was born outside of the US and is now a US Citizen then your citizenship card should also be brought.

That being said if you have your passport bring it. I use mine (going the other way, from Canada to the US) and it speeds up the process over the other ID requirements as it can be scanned at the border rather than visually reviewed.

Note that if you are a US resident but not a citizen then you need to bring your passport from your country of citizenship and the rules relating to that country will apply. To return to the US be sure to bring your Green Card.