Since June 1st, 2009, most U.S. citizens traveling to Mexico are required to carry passports to get across the border. Here are the travel requirements for each of the circumstances below:
Flying Into/Out of Mexico
US citizens of any age flying to or from Mexico must have a US passport book, no exceptions. You should be aware that the US passport CARD is no good for air travel.
Traveling to Mexico by Land
If you are traveling to Mexico by land, under the new rules you must have one of the following documents to re-enter the US:
- US Passport Book
- US Passport Card
- Nexus, SENTRI or FAST card
- Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL)- Currently, only a small number of states offer Enhanced Driver’s Licenses
Traveling to Mexico by Sea
Traveling to Mexico by sea is about the same as traveling to Mexico by land, unless you are on a closed-loop cruise. A closed-loop cruise is a cruise that begins and ends at the same US port. American citizens on a closed-loop cruise can use a driver’s license or other government-issued photo ID AND an original or copy of their birth certificate, naturalization certificate or certificate of citizenship to re-enter the country.
Children
Children under the age of 16 traveling to and from Mexico by land or by sea can use their birth certificates, certificates of citizenship or naturalization certificates to re-enter the country.
Children under the age 19 traveling with an adult-chaperoned organization such as a school group, religious group, social or cultural organization, or sports team can also use their birth certificates, certificates of citizenship or certificates of naturalization.
However, children of any age traveling by air to and from Mexico must have a passport book.
If you need a passport to go to Mexico, RushMyPassport.com can help. We make getting a passport quick and easy by providing you with a helpful checklist and personal assistance with the application. Then, we hand-deliver your paperwork to the Department of State for super-fast processing, often as a quick as 24 hours.
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Tags: Mexico, Mexico travel, WHTI
[...] New travel regulations for Mexico are in effect. See this article on passport requirements for Mexico for up-to-date [...]
January 1st, 2010 at 6:01 pmIs there a 6 month limit for expiration on passports if traveling to
January 12th, 2010 at 11:20 pmMexico, the Caribbean etc.??
Not if you’re just going to Mexico, Canada or the Caribbean-although your passport needs to be valid when you return to the US. You might run into problems at the border if you try to reenter the US on an expired passport.
Many other countries do require that your passport be valid for 6 months beyond the date you enter the country.
January 13th, 2010 at 5:40 pm[...] return from Mexico by land or by sea, except in a few special circumstances, like for children. See “Do You Need a Passport to Go To Mexico?” for more [...]
February 17th, 2010 at 1:32 pm[...] Do You Need a Passport To Go To Mexico? [...]
February 21st, 2010 at 7:38 pm[...] Do You Need a Passport to Go to Mexico? [...]
February 27th, 2010 at 7:24 pm[...] Do You Need a Passport to Go to Mexico? [...]
March 25th, 2010 at 10:04 pm[...] regulations governing travel to Mexico have changed. You will most likely need a US passport-see Do I need a passport to go to Mexico? for the [...]
March 28th, 2010 at 9:55 pmMy passport & naturalization cert still have my maiden namebut my driver license has been updated with new last name. I’m going on a cruise next month (closed-end loop from san diego to southern mexico then back to san diego). I cant get any passport appt until next month to update it. Would they let me board with my old passport, original marriage cert and driver license?
July 15th, 2010 at 11:18 amHi Ana,
Call the cruise line and ask. It’s closed-loop, so you should be able to use a copy of your naturalization certificate and your driver’s license, but it’s up to the cruise line whether they’ll let you board or not.
July 24th, 2010 at 9:05 pmI am traveling to Cancun Mexico on April 23-30th 2011…My passport actually expires on May 15th, 2011..Do you think I need to get a new passport before I leave???
April 11th, 2011 at 9:58 amYour passport will be valid for your entire length of stay, so you should be fine. Mexico doesn’t have the “6-month rule” for US citizens. See their entry requirements here for more info: http://mexico.usembassy.gov/eng/eacs_sheet.html
April 13th, 2011 at 1:31 pmI’m planning on traveling to Tecate, BC, Mexico on May 20th for a wedding, do I need a passport since it’s just over the border? I don’t actually have a passport right now, so I would like to know if I do need one. Thanks
May 12th, 2011 at 10:26 pmHi Martha,
It depends on how you’re traveling. If you’re flying in, you must have a valid passport, full stop. If you’re driving, you won’t be asked to show one to get into to Mexico so long as you stay within the “border zone” (20 miles or less over the border) but you’re supposed to have either a passport, a passport card, or an enhanced driver’s license to get back into the United States.
So long as you’re a US citizen, they can’t keep you from re-entering the country but they can detain you while they verify your identity and citizenship. If you decide to drive across without a valid passport, passport card or enhanced driver’s license, you should at least bring your birth certificate or naturalization certificate and expect delays coming back. Also, remember that Mexico will require you to show a passport if you go more than 20 miles into the country.
Good luck!
May 18th, 2011 at 8:45 pmHi,
August 24th, 2011 at 9:52 pmI’ll be going on my honeymoon to mexico via plane. I have a green card but
but a passport from Sri lanka. will i be ok to reenter the US?
thanks
Hi Elmo,
Sure, as long as you have a valid green card. Just bring it with you, along with your passport.
Congratulations and enjoy your honeymoon!
August 25th, 2011 at 7:48 pm[...] For more about passport requirements for travel to Mexico, see Do You Need a Passport to Go to Mexico? [...]
September 2nd, 2011 at 11:51 pmDo i need a pass port to get into mexico?
October 12th, 2011 at 4:53 pmHi Tom,
You need a passport book if you’re traveling by air and either a passport book or a passport card if you’re traveling by land or sea. Have a great trip!
October 14th, 2011 at 9:34 pmI will be flying from tijuana airport to guadalajara with my my 10month daughter .DO I NEED A US PASSPORT BOOK OR CARD TO FLY WITHING MEXICO? WELL OUR BIRTH CERTIFICATES BE ENOUGH TO BOARD THE PLANE IN TIJUANA?
November 10th, 2011 at 1:25 amHi Cynthia,
Please contact your airline or the Mexican Embassy (phone is 202-736-1600) to confirm what type of identification is needed for US citizens taking domestic flights within Mexico. Really though, since passports are required for US citizens traveling beyond the border zone (max 20-30km inside the country), you and your daughter should have valid passports anyway, even if you can get on the plane in Tijuana without them. Also, if you are traveling alone with your daughter you should bring a notarized form showing that you have the other parent’s permission to travel. Have a great trip!
Have a great trip!
November 15th, 2011 at 3:44 pmHi, I’m suppose to go to Baja, Mexico with my friends this week. Some people tell me I need a passport, others say my driver’s license is fine. I live in Cali, so we don’t have enhanced driver’s licenses. I also have a birth certificate. So, is that enough to go and come back, it’s only for a couple days. If I need a passport then I won’t be able to go this weekend. Thank you.
November 17th, 2011 at 2:39 amHi Kwile,
Driver’s license and a birth certificate is fine for exiting the US, but you may experience delays at the border as border officials verify your identity and citizenship.
November 21st, 2011 at 11:13 pmHi,
December 4th, 2011 at 9:29 pmim 18 years old and am only going to mexicali, BC to drop off my cousin..do i need a passport to come back in? because my other cousin (shes 16) and goes in and out with her school i.d.
im traveling to Tijuana mexico on Decemeber 21, 2011 and my passaport expired on october. do i need my passaport im only going for 2 days?
December 15th, 2011 at 9:11 pmEvencio, you do need your passport. You will not be able to get on plane to Mexico, if you are flying, without one. If you are driving, they will let you across the Mexican border but since you are supposed to have your passport to get back in, you may be temporarily detained while they verify your citizenship. Hope this helps!
December 15th, 2011 at 10:12 pmHi,
December 20th, 2011 at 1:19 pmI’m planning on going on a cruise to Mexico in early January, but I’ve been told that you need a passport if the ship docks at any non-U.S. port. My husband does not have a passport nor is he a citizen, but he does have a valid greencard. Would he be able to get off the ship at Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas without any problems? We’re also taking our 4 month old daughter, would just a birth certificate be okay for her? Or do you think the Bahamas are a better bet? Thank you!
Oh, and it would be from Los Angeles to the two Mexico stops and then back to Los Angeles.
December 20th, 2011 at 1:20 pmHi Marie,
A green card should be fine for your husband to get back into the US, but do contact the Mexican Embassy and see what he needs to enter the country. Also, contact your cruise line to see what they require in terms of documentation, as some will require him to have a passport regardless. You should be fine with your driver’s license and an official copy of your birth certificate. Your daughter just needs a birth certificate. Both certificates need to have a raised or embossed official seal on them to be acceptable.
Hope this helps!
Alison
December 21st, 2011 at 7:50 pmI have to travel to chihuahua mexico in a few days, I’m visiting my family and i’m planning on staying in chihuahua for like three or four days. I have a permanent resident card (10 year green card) I haven’t been to mexico in like 5 years, I was wondering if I also need a passport to cross the border back to the US. I think I still have a passport from mexico, but i’m not sure. I got married five years ago so the name on my passport and my green card are different now. Is that going to be a problem??? Or do I need to show something else that proves I’m a permanent resident?? like a drivers license. Thanks
December 25th, 2011 at 2:34 amHi,
December 27th, 2011 at 12:10 amWe are thinking to travel to Cancun, but me and my husband have green cards, and passports of Russia (they are expired). Do we need to get travel passports in order to fly to Mexico?
Hello, my boyfriend and I Want to go celebrate new years in Juárez Chihuahua with my family. We are driving from Denver to Juárez but he does not have a passport he is a US citizen and he has his birth certificate and drivers liscence along with his student i.d from college do you think he should be fine to get back in ?
December 28th, 2011 at 3:54 pmHi Jacquie, Technically he is supposed to have a passport or a passport card. I can’t say what will happen if he tries to cross back into the US without one- it’s at CBP discretion whether they accept those documents or temporarily hold him while they verify his citizenship. They can’t keep him out if he’s a US citizen, but you should allow extra time because it may be a bit of a hassle. Hope this helps!
December 28th, 2011 at 6:47 pmHi Luzma,
You should be able to cross back into the US with just your permanent resident card. However, you may need your Mexican passport to enter Mexico; contact the Mexican Embassy to be sure. Hope this helps!
December 28th, 2011 at 6:58 pmYou don’t need a passport to get back into the US as long as you have your permanent resident card. However, you may need a valid Russian passport to enter Mexico. Contact the Mexican Embassy to confirm whether or not this is the case.
December 28th, 2011 at 6:59 pm[...] However, without a valid passport, these destinations could remain just out of reach, though there are some exceptions, like closed-loop cruises, for which passports are not required. To determine whether or not you need a passport, see Do You Need a Passport to Go to the Caribbean? and Do You Need a Passport to Go to Mexico? [...]
January 4th, 2012 at 11:00 pmWe are planning to take 4 days cruise to mexico from los angeles. My wife have permanent resident card. Dose she need a passport to enter mexico. Thank you
January 13th, 2012 at 1:57 amim planning to go to tijuana with my cousins to visit family memers who are in tj for a few days… and i have applied for my passport but im waiting for them to approve it… can i still go to mexico and return to the u.s with only my i.d. and dont have my birth certificate since i had to send when i applied for the pass port
January 13th, 2012 at 9:00 pmHi Fredrro,
If you’re driving, they should let you across the border with your ID, but you may be stopped temporarily on the way back into the US while Customs verifies your citizenship.
January 15th, 2012 at 10:33 pmHi Peter,
Yes, see below: http://portal.sre.gob.mx/was_eng/index.php?option=displaypage&Itemid=55&op=page&SubMenu=
January 15th, 2012 at 10:37 pm[...] Do You Need a Passport to Go To Mexico? [...]
January 16th, 2012 at 1:09 pmI’m a US citizen and I’m planning to go to mexico and I wanted to know if I need a mexican passaport to travel to mexico? If I do where do I get it?
January 25th, 2012 at 3:39 pmHi Francisco,
No, you don’t need a Mexican passport to travel to Mexico. Your US passport will work just fine. Have a great trip!
January 25th, 2012 at 8:58 pmI am planning to drive my children 11 and 9 down to Tijuana at the end of March. Is it true they will only need their birth certificates as long as a I have a passport card?
January 27th, 2012 at 9:57 pmThank you for any information,
Bethany
Hi Bethany,
Yes, that will be fine! Have a great trip!
January 28th, 2012 at 7:42 pmI Have a question, I need to travel to TJ this Wednesday to pick up my in-laws at the airport; however, i just realized my passport expired in November 2011 and they have no one else to pick them up. Will I get fined or have difficulties returning back to the US? I have a valid DL. Please let me know as soon as you can.. Thanks
January 29th, 2012 at 4:20 pmHi Fran,
You won’t get fined, and actually Customs can’t prevent you from entering the US. Legally, all they can do is pull you aside and make you wait while they verify your citizenship. You can reduce but not eliminate the chances of that happening by bringing as many documents that prove you are a US citizen as possible. I would bring both your expired passport and your birth certificate, if that’s available. You may still experience some hassles getting back across into the US, and you should renew your passport as soon as possible for future trips into Mexico, but once they verify your documents are legit they have to let you in.
Good luck, hope this helps!
January 29th, 2012 at 8:29 pmHello I need to go to tijuana with my kids, my kids don’t have a passport can they come back to the us with there birth certificate and my I’D
February 3rd, 2012 at 10:31 pmHi Erika,
Yes, if they are under 16 they just need birth certificates. Also, if their father isn’t coming with you, you should bring a notarized letter from him authorizing the trip, or proof that you have sole legal custody of the kids. Have a great trip!
February 5th, 2012 at 5:10 pmHi my grandmother is sick i have a passport for me and my eldest daughter my baby does not require one as far as i know and my husband doesnt would he be able to cross and get back with his id & birth certificate??
February 6th, 2012 at 2:33 pmHi me and my two boys a 1 yr. old and a 2yr. old are going to Mexicaly in two weeks neighter my kids or I have a passport will we have a problem on the way back or will we be fine with our birth certificate and my u.s id please respond as soon as possible i need to now in order to take my trip
February 7th, 2012 at 3:43 amI have another question is it true their fining people for not having a passport?
February 7th, 2012 at 3:50 amHi Janet,
I’ve not heard of people being fined for not having a passport, but you may be delayed when you try to cross back into the US while they verify that you and your children are US citizens. As long as they can verify that, they have to let you back in.
If you have two weeks, why not apply for your passport or a passport card either at the nearest passport agency or using our service (whichever makes the most sense for your situation)? That way, you’ll have everything you need to cross the border without any hassle.
February 7th, 2012 at 7:12 pmHi Shelby,
First of all, I’m so sorry about your grandmother and I hope she recovers quickly. Now, on to your question: As long as you are driving across the border (and not flying) you should be able to get back into the country, but give yourself extra time to get across as you may have to wait while Customs verifies that your husband is a US citizen. It would be better if he had a passport or a passport card, and you might want to call the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778 to see if you can get an appointment to get him an emergency passport, or call us and let us help you.
However, as long as he is a US citizen, they can’t turn him away. Also, bring your baby’s birth certificate-you’ll need that, as well. Good luck, and I hope everything works out!
Alison
February 7th, 2012 at 8:28 pm