Temporary Passport Requirement Changes
Friday June 8, 2007
So you applied for that passport and have had recurring nightmares that it won't arrive in time for your big trip to Mexico? Now you can sleep easy - you will be able to take that trip after all!
Since new passport requirements came into effect in January, passport offices have been unable to keep up with the demand, and the wait for passports, usually about six weeks, stretched out into months, leaving many would-be travelers stranded. So, the U.S. Departments of State and Homeland Security have decided to allow folks who have applied for but not yet received their passport to travel within the Western Hemisphere until September 30th, 2007, presenting their official photo identification and official proof of application for a passport.
U.S. Department of State Web Site: U.S. Citizens with Pending Passport Applications Allowed Temporary Travel Flexibility
What about entry into Mexico? I don’t see any corresponding relaxation on the side of Mexican authorities. Thanks for any additional light you can shed on this — I’m stuck in this pickle as we speak!
The Mexican authorities don’t require U.S. and Canadian citizens to present a passport for entry. You can check out the Web Site of Mexico’s National Institute of Migration where it states:
Under an agreement with Canada and the USA, those countries’ citizens may prove their nationality with a passport or other public documents, such as: certified copy of birth certificate, voter registration card, or naturalization certificate…
Have a good trip!
What about a previously cancelled passport, does that count as proof of citizenship to the Mexican authorities? Moreover, what about my minor children? How can I prove their citizenship as I had to submit the original copies of their birth certificates when I applied for their passports, and of which are still in the possession of the US dept of Homeland Security, pending issuance of their passports.
I suggest you contact the Mexican consulate nearest you (directory of Mexican Consulates) for precise information.
Returning to the U.S. won’t be a problem for your kids, as long as you have the proof of passport applications, as stated in the State Department’s Web Site: “Children under the age of 16 traveling with their parents or legal guardian will be permitted to travel with the child’s proof of application.” However, gaining entrance to Mexico may be stickier. You may be asked to prove your relationship to your children and it seems the best way to do that is with a birth certificate. Your best bet may be to apply for new birth certificates.
Check with the Mexican embassy nearest you to be sure you meet the requirements.
My daughter will be traveling to Mexico with her father. His name is not on her birth certificate or on her passport. will he have a problem entering into or leaving Mexico wit her?
If your name is listed on the birth certificate but her father’s name is not, a letter of authorization from you giving him permission to travel with her should be sufficient. See an example authorization letter.
We are traveling to Mexico, my husband received his renewal passport, however I had to apply for a new one… which means I gave my ORIGINAL birth certificate w/ my application. I don’t have my passport yet and I”m traveling this week?!?! It specifically states that Mexico requires an original birth certificate which I currently don’t have… help… asap!!!
I am Canadian living in US. Applied for passport in Mar. still waiting. Leaving for Cancun Mexico Sat.June 23. Do I need a passport? I have a green card. Birth certif. was sent with passport appl. Help! wILL I be able to enter Mex. and back to US???
According to the Web Site of the Mexican embassy to the United States: “In accordance with dispositions by the National Immigration Institute, in order to enter Mexico US citizens should show any US official ID. Passports are not required.”
In case of any special circumstances you should contact the Mexican embassy or consulate nearest you, or your airline, to be sure you can meet the entry requirements.
I am a us citizen and so are my 2 kids, ages 7 and 9. We are driving down to mexico in december, Do we each need a passport, or will we be ok with our birth certificates ?
Thank you !
For travel by land or sea passports are not required. Adults should show 2 pieces of ID – birth certificate and drivers license will do, and kids should be ok with just the birth certificate. If you’re traveling without your childrens’ other parent you should have a notarized letter of consent authorizing you to take them into Mexico.
I am getting married October 5th and we were planning on heading to Mexico on October 7th for our honeymoon. I have lost my passport and have not yet applied for a new one. What are our options? Can I still apply and get in with proof of application or am I too late?
The temporary flexibility for travel without passports ends on September 30th.
“Beginning October 1, 2007, all U.S. Citizens traveling outside the United States will be required to present a valid passport to enter and depart from the United States.”
Supposedly, the backlog on passports that the State Department was suffering has now ended and you may be able to get an expedited passport in about 3 weeks time – so get that passport application in RIGHT AWAY!
Read more info on expediting a passport.
My mother was born in mexico, and my grandfather is in mexico and in the hospital (He just had a stroke). We are trying to get him back over here and he is a US ciztien and my mother is not but lived here since she was about 5 years old. Her card did expire about three years ago. Can she come back to the US with a ID her SS card and other info that she lives here and just pay a fee at the border. This is an emergancy!!!! HELP
My mother is 73 years old and has applied for a passport, but has been advised to provide additional information regarding her birth certificate, because of information entered at birth. She is currently in the process of making the necessary corrections, however the cruise is scheduled for 07-03-08 thru 07-07-07 to Mexico. Will she be able to travel with her drivers license and passport application?
My husband is a permanent resident, my children and I are USA citizens and we want to travel by land to mexico to see his parents, does he need a passport to return to the USA? can he present his green card only? He has an appointment for his passport August 18th, but he wants to leave sooner if possible. Please let me know. We can also obtain the passport in mexico to return if we need to do that. Whhat documentation does he need to take with him to process passport in Mexico?
Thank you
are passports required for driving to alaska through canada?
We are wanting to go to Mexico, by land, drive ourselves, but do we need passports, my husband is from Mexico, he is a legal resident of US, but is still citizen of Mexico, he has passport, do I need one & 2 of my kids hae different dad we can not locate for permission what can we do? And do the kids need passports, or will birth certificates & ID work??
What does Mexico require for entry into their country via Air from the US? I’m a permanent US resident, but live in Mexico. I am returning to Mexico via air and have my US resident card and Mexican matricula (ID),no passport. Will I have problems w/ the airlines/authorities and should I present US or Mexican ID?
My famiy friend is traveling to Mexico via plane. She has a Permanent Resident Card from the US which was issued in the early 70’s and an expired Mexican Passport. Two years ago she went to the Mexican Consulate to get a new passport and the issued her a Consular Card (similar I think to the Passport Card). Will this work for re entry into the US??
MY WIFE AND I ARE TRAVELING TO MEXICO BY AIRLINE . I HAVE A US PASSPORT AND ALL SHE HAS IS A PERMANENT RESIDENT CARD DOES SHE NEED ANY MORE DOCUMENTS TO ENTER INTO MEXICO ?