Cross-Border Vehicle Permission Letter

Using a Cross-Border Vehicle Permission Letter is simple. Follow the steps below to help ensure a smooth crossing experience.

Before You Travel

• Make sure the name and signature on your letter match those on the vehicle ownership or registration.
• Bring an extra copy of the letter in case one is retained or damaged.
• Carry the vehicle ownership, registration, and insurance documents.
• If driving a company vehicle, bring proof that you’re an employee or director

At the US-Canada Border

You don’t need to automatically present the permission letter when you reach the border. As with any border crossing, keep the following in mind:

• Only answer the questions you’re asked
• Have the letter and supporting documentation ready
• Only present the letter if the border officer requests it

An officer may conduct a secondary inspection if they have concerns about the vehicle or the driver’s authority to use it. At that point, officers may:

• Closely review the vehicle ownership
• Review the permission letter in detail
• Reach out to the vehicle’s owner directly

Note: It’s helpful for the vehicle’s owner to be reachable by phone while the driver is crossing the border.

A Cross-Border Vehicle Permission doesn’t legally need to be notarized or commissioned in the U.S. or Canada. That said, Canadian border officers strongly recommend commissioning consent letters.

You can meet with a notary online to have your Cross-Border Vehicle Permission Letter commissioned in 7 minutes.

Commissioning adds credibility to the letter and helps confirm the authenticity of the owner’s signature. As such, a commissioned letter can avoid delays for time-sensitive trips and reduce questioning, especially in the following situations:

• The vehicle is financed or leased
• The trip is long or repeated
• The driver and owner have different last names
• The vehicle is a company or fleet vehicle.

A Cross-Border Vehicle Permission Letter should be clear, concise, and include all relevant details. Ensure that you include the information below in your letter:

Vehicle Owner’s Details

• Full legal name
• Phone number and/or email
• A statement to confirm that they’re the legal owner or authorized representative

Driver’s Details

• Full legal name
• Relationship to the vehicle’s owner

Vehicle Information

• Year, make, and model
• Vehicle identification number (VIN)
• Licence plate number

Authorization Details

• Departure date
• Return date
• Clear statement granting permission to take the vehicle across the Canada–U.S. border

Signature and Date

• Owner’s signature
• Date of signing

Recommended Commissioning

• Commissioning or notarization by a notary public or commissioner of oaths
• Company letterhead if the vehicle is owned by a business