Maine-New Brunswick Border: Open Or Shut?

The border between Maine and New Brunswick is open, with several land border crossings available for travellers. However, rigid US security measures have deterred some visitors from crossing in recent years. The new international bridge between Edmundston and Madawaska, which opened to car traffic on June 6, 2024, is expected to improve cross-border relations. This bridge cost about $135 million and features two lanes for vehicles, as well as room for ATVs and snowmobiles.

Crossing requirements

The border between Maine and New Brunswick is open, with a new bridge between Edmundston and Madawaska opening to car traffic on June 6, 2024. The old bridge, which had been in use since 1921, has been closed to traffic and is awaiting dismantling.

Crossing the international border between Canada and the U.S. requires an inspection by Immigration and Customs, which can include a vehicle inspection. Different regulations apply to pedestrians and motor vehicles than to boats and aircraft. Depending on the mode of transportation, different ports of entry may be required.

U.S. citizens entering Canada must have proof of U.S. citizenship, such as a birth certificate, a certificate of citizenship, or a naturalization certificate and valid photo identification. Permanent residents of the U.S. must also carry proof of residency. U.S. children entering Canada must have identification and be accompanied by an adult. If only one parent is travelling with the child, they must have a letter of permission and contact information for the other parent or legal guardian.

Canadian citizens entering the U.S. must have proof of Canadian citizenship, such as a valid Canadian passport or other acceptable proof as outlined on the CBP's website.

All travellers must carry proof of identity and citizenship, and are required to have a valid passport until the end of their stay. Visitors must also have the necessary travel documentation and be in good health. They may be asked questions by an immigration officer, such as:

• Where are you from?
• Where are you going?
• Where will you be staying?
• How long will you be in the country?
• What is the purpose of your trip?
• Do you have any alcohol, tobacco products, or firearms?

Persons can be denied entry across a border on the basis of suspicion alone. Other reasons for denying entry include criminality, health, and financial reasons, as well as misrepresentation of identity or having an inadmissible family member.

For those travelling by car, U.S. law requires even U.S. citizens to carry a passport when re-entering the U.S. American passport holders do not need special visas for an ordinary tourist visa. Canadian gun control laws also require that firearms be declared at the border.

Border inspection

The border between Maine and New Brunswick is open, with several land border crossings available for use. However, rigid US security measures have deterred some visitors from crossing.

When crossing the international border between Canada and the US, persons and their vehicles are subject to inspection by Immigration and Customs. All travellers are required to carry proof of identity and citizenship, such as a valid passport, until the end of their stay. Citizens of other countries may also be required to have a visa.

US citizens entering Canada must provide proof of US citizenship, such as a birth certificate, certificate of citizenship, or naturalisation certificate along with valid photo identification. Canadian citizens entering the US must provide proof of Canadian citizenship, such as a valid Canadian passport or other acceptable documentation as outlined on the CBP's website.

In addition to the above, visitors may be asked to answer standard questions to the satisfaction of an immigration officer, including:

• Where are you from?
• Where are you going?
• Where will you be staying?
• How long will you be in the country?
• What is the purpose of your trip?
• Do you have any alcohol, tobacco products, or firearms?

It is important to note that persons can be denied entry at a border crossing based on suspicion alone. Other reasons for denying entry include criminality, health, financial, or misrepresentation reasons, as well as having an inadmissible family member.

Identification requirements

The border between Maine and New Brunswick is open, but there are specific identification requirements to cross it. The state of Maine and the Canadian province of New Brunswick share a 611-mile (983-kilometer) border with 24 land border crossings. Crossing the international border requires a passport and an inspection, which can include a vehicle inspection. Depending on the situation, a visa may also be required.

Different regulations apply to pedestrians and motor vehicles than to boats and aircraft. Depending on the mode of transportation, different ports of entry may be required. For example, ferries and small boats are processed like land border crossings, and an I-68 form is not sufficient documentation for entry.

Persons crossing the border must carry proof of identity and citizenship. In most cases, this is a passport. Examples of additional documentation include a birth certificate, naturalization certificate, citizenship certificate, or a government-issued photo ID (such as a driver's license). If you are unsure about the acceptability of your identification, you can contact the border service agency of the country you are entering.

Canadian citizens entering the U.S. must have proof of Canadian citizenship. This can include a valid Canadian passport or other acceptable proof of Canadian citizenship as outlined on the CBP website.

U.S. citizens entering Canada must have proof of U.S. citizenship. This could include a U.S. birth certificate, a certificate of citizenship, or a naturalization certificate and valid photo identification such as a driver's license. Permanent residents of the U.S. must have a permanent resident card. U.S. children entering Canada must have identification, regardless of age, and be accompanied by an adult. Parents entering Canada with their child must have the child's proof of citizenship, such as a certified birth certificate. If only one parent is travelling with the child, they must have a letter of permission containing the contact information of the other parent or legal guardian. An adult with legal or shared custody of the child must have copies of the relevant legal documents, such as custody rights. For a non-parent or non-legal guardian travelling with a child, a letter of permission or authorization of custody, including contact information for the child's parents or legal guardian, is required.

History of the border

The border between Maine and New Brunswick has a long history of disputes and contested claims. The Treaty of Paris (1783), which ended the Revolutionary War, did not clearly determine the boundary between British North America (Quebec and New Brunswick) and the United States. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts began issuing land grants in its District of Maine, including areas to which the British had already laid claim.

The Treaty of Ghent, which ended the War of 1812 in 1815, re-established the boundary line of the 1783 treaty. However, the question of the exact border remained unresolved, with both sides conducting surveys and censuses of the disputed areas. The matter was referred to the King of the Netherlands, who, in 1831, proposed a compromise border along the St. John River. This proposal was rejected by the United States, and tensions continued to escalate.

The situation came to a head in 1838-1839 with the Aroostook War (also known as the Pork and Beans War or the Madawaska War). This conflict involved military and civilian forces from both sides and centred around disputes over lumbering rights in the Aroostook Valley. While there were no major battles, there were minor skirmishes and arrests, and both sides mobilised militias. The United States Congress approved $10 million for military expenses, and nearly 50,000 troops were readied for action.

The Aroostook War was resolved through negotiations between U.S. General Winfield Scott and New Brunswick Lieutenant Governor James Harvey, who had a positive relationship from the War of 1812. A truce was arranged, and a joint occupancy of the disputed territory was maintained until the final border was settled.

The Webster-Ashburton Treaty of 1842 finally established the official boundary between Maine and New Brunswick, giving most of the disputed area to Maine while preserving an overland connection between Lower Canada and the Maritime colonies. This treaty ended the long-running border dispute and prevented a potential third Anglo-American war.

Border crossing locations

The border between Maine and New Brunswick remains open. Maine shares a 611-mile (983-kilometer) border with the Canadian provinces of Quebec and New Brunswick. There are 24 land border crossings between the US and Canada in this area. Here is a list of some of the border crossing locations between Maine and New Brunswick:

• Coburn Gore / Woburn: This border crossing is located in the western part of Maine, near the town of Coburn Gore.
• Armstrong-Jackman / Ste Theophile: This border crossing is situated in the northwestern region of Maine, close to the town of Armstrong.
• Estcourt Station / Pohénégamook: Found in the northernmost area of Maine, near the town of Estcourt Station.
• Edmundston-Madawaska Bridge: This border crossing is on the Edmundston-Madawaska Bridge, which spans the international border.
• St Leonard-Van Buren Bridge: The St. Leonard-Van Buren Bridge connects St. Leonard, New Brunswick, and Van Buren, Maine.
• Hamlin / Grand Falls: This border crossing is located in Hamlin, Maine, close to the Grand Falls area.
• Limestone / Gillespie Portage: Found in Limestone, Maine, this border crossing is near the Gillespie Portage area.
• Fort Fairfield / Perth-Andover: Travellers can cross the border in Fort Fairfield, Maine, when travelling to and from Perth-Andover, New Brunswick.
• Easton / River de Chute: This border crossing connects Easton, Maine, and River de Chute, New Brunswick.
• Bridgewater / Centreville: Travellers can cross the border between Bridgewater, Maine, and Centreville, New Brunswick.
• Monticello / Bloomfield: This border crossing is located between Monticello, Maine, and Bloomfield, New Brunswick.
• Vanceboro / Ste Croix: Travellers can cross the border at Vanceboro, Maine, when travelling to and from Ste. Croix, New Brunswick.
• Calais / International Avenue: This border crossing is situated in Calais, Maine, and connects to International Avenue in New Brunswick.
• Milltown / Saint Stephen: Found in Milltown, Maine, this border crossing leads to Saint Stephen, New Brunswick.
• Ferry Point Crossing / Calais: Travellers can cross the border at Ferry Point in Calais, Maine.
• Calais/ St. Stephen, International Avenue Ferry Point International Bridge: This is a major border crossing located on the International Avenue Ferry Point International Bridge.
• Houlton / Richmond Corner: This border crossing is situated on the Houlton, Maine, and Richmond Corner, New Brunswick, connecting the I95 and Highway 2.
• Vanceboro / Saint Croix: Travellers can cross the border at Vanceboro, Maine, on Route 6, leading to New Brunswick's Route 4.
• Edmundston-Madawaska: The Edmundston-Madawaska Bridge connects US Highway 1 and New Brunswick's Highway 120.

These border crossings vary in terms of traffic volume and specific requirements, so it is advisable to check the relevant websites for detailed information on each crossing, including wait times, real-time traffic, contact information, and maps.

Frequently asked questions