Forget about the good old days when U.S. travelers to the Mexico border could just flash their driver’s license to get back into the United States. As of June 1 – this Monday- tourists to Mexico will need to start bringing their passports ( or other travel documents) to Mexico when they cross by land at places like the San Ysidro border.
The alternative to the passport include:
A passport card
A SENTRI card, A NEXUS card, or a FAST card
A driver’s license with radio-technology that is apparently not available in California.
****UPDATE: Go to this blog post for what happens if you forget your passport: http://acrosstheborder.wordpress.com/2009/06/19/answer-to-question-about-passport-requirements-at-the-border/ ****
I have been away from the border lately and forgot this date was coming up. I was glad to learn that I don’t have to drag around my passport on my border trips since I have a SENTRI card (I get to use the “faster” border lanes since I’m pre-screened and considered low-risk for bringing illegal substances into the United States) so I should be fine. I had no idea, or had forgotten, what a NEXUS or FAST card are so I did a search and found that NEXUS appears to be the Canada-traveller version of the SENTRI program and FAST is a pre-screened program for commercial border-crossers.
Go here to read more in a story written by reporter Leslie Berestein of The San Diego Union-Tribune
Go here to read to get the latest information from the U.S. government.
23 responses so far ↓
Felipe // June 16, 2009 at 3:49 am |
what happens if you try to cross the border into the united States without a Passport and or your citizen papers only having a drivers licens?
acearley // June 17, 2009 at 2:22 pm |
Hi, Felipe. Let me send a message to DHS to see if they have anything to say about this….
carmen // June 25, 2009 at 6:05 pm |
can you cross the border (by land) with an expired US passport?
acearley // June 25, 2009 at 6:41 pm |
Hi, Carmen. I believe the rules are that you need to have a valid (non-expired) passport.
Refer to this link regarding what happens if you don’t comply with the new regulations. http://acrosstheborder.wordpress.com/2009/06/19/answer-to-question-about-passport-requirements-at-the-border/
mich // June 26, 2009 at 12:30 am |
my passport expired a few days ago, and i need to cross the border, so can i do so with a birth certificate?
acearley // June 26, 2009 at 4:57 am |
Hi, Mich. Sounds like you and Carmen are in the same boat! If you can’t delay your trip, I would suggest you read this explanation from U.S. officials about what happens if you don’t have your passport (which I take to mean a VALID passport)
http://acrosstheborder.wordpress.com/2009/06/19/answer-to-question-about-passport-requirements-at-the-border/
You might want to bring it along as proof of having a former valid passport. At the worst, it sounds like you might encounter a delay at the border as they verify your information.
clara // July 11, 2009 at 4:54 pm |
me and my 2 sons are trying to make a road trip into mexico.. i was wondering can i purchase my passport cards here and have them mailed to mexico it would help alot since i have to leave in just a few days
acearley // July 11, 2009 at 5:09 pm |
Hi, Clara. That’s a good question. I guess it depends on how long you are going to be in Mexico and if you will be in a place to pick them up when they arrive. It sounds a little iffy in terms of logistics.
Check out this U.S. govt. site: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html
Note that if you are traveling with children there are some special instructions (here is a snippet from the site that I pulled on July 11, 2009)
“Effective June 1, 2009, all U.S. citizens are now required to present a passport book, passport card, or WHTI-compliant document when entering the United States.
Please Note: Children under age 16 will be able to continue crossing land and sea borders using only a U.S. birth certificate (or other form of U.S. citizenship such as a naturalization certificate.). The original birth certificate or a copy may be used. “
cristina // July 12, 2009 at 7:25 am |
my question is on july 31 i would like to go to tijuana mexico i have a 194 departure permit and i have my salvadorean passport sinceam salvadoream i would like to know if i can take my children i is 17 the other is 14 and they have a usa passport but is is going to expired in september 20 2009 can i still use that passport
acearley // July 14, 2009 at 10:14 pm |
Hi, Cristina. Check out this government web site regarding the kids…Seems like different rules apply to them based on their ages:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html
I pulled a section from that and am reprinting here: “Please Note: Children under age 16 will be able to continue crossing land and sea borders using only a U.S. birth certificate (or other form of U.S. citizenship such as a naturalization certificate.). The original birth certificate or a copy may be used. “
The Philippine Island // August 5, 2009 at 6:28 pm |
USA is the best country in the world. I wish I can go there someday to visit my aunt.
acearley // August 6, 2009 at 3:29 am |
Hi, P.I. Thanks for your note and good luck making it back here.
Angel // August 13, 2009 at 8:46 pm |
what if i been in mexico for more than two years and i dont have my passport im about to turn 18 in september and my brothers want me back in atlanta my question is can cross the U.S. border by land even i dont have my passport due to my abscence in the us ???
acearley // August 13, 2009 at 9:07 pm |
Hi, Angel.
Wow. I’m not authorized by the U.S. government to give you advice, but it seems to me – based on what people are sharing on this blog – that you may be delayed at the border as they check into your background, or they may just wave you through after reminding you that you need to get a new passport.
Your case might be complicated, however, if you don’t have a driver’s license or other documentation. Can you have someone send you a copy of your birth certificate?
G // August 19, 2009 at 7:42 pm |
Hi Acearley, GET A LIFE!
Ivette // September 12, 2009 at 1:34 am |
i am going to tj and i don’t have my passport yet, but i just have my birth certificate and my California id can i cross back to the U.S. with that??
acearley // September 12, 2009 at 9:39 pm |
Hi, Ivette. The sixth comment on this post has a link to another blog posting. I would suggest clicking that link. Scroll the comments on that one and you will be able to get a better idea of what might work for you. Good luck with your travel planning!
U.S.Passport Service Guide // September 25, 2009 at 4:57 pm |
Acearly,
As to Angel’s situation, U.S. citizens can apply for a passport at any U.S. embassy or consulate. There is no need to wait until she arrives in the U.S. and risk problems at the border.
marlyn // October 5, 2009 at 10:02 pm |
Hi,
I just became a US citizen and do not have a passport yet. I would like to go to Tijuana. Can I cross the border with just the cerficate of naturalization where it shows I’m a US citizen, and my driver’s license?
acearley // October 7, 2009 at 5:57 am |
Hi, Marlyn. I would suggest bringing as many documents that you can – as you have mentioned – and explain your situation to the border officials. Bring a copy of your passport application form, if you have one, too. They may pull you into secondary for additional questioning, but it appears that the passport requirement is being treated more as an educational opportunity for now. See this more recent post: http://acrosstheborder.wordpress.com/2009/09/24/readers-responses-to-u-s-passport-regulations-at-the-border/
sheila // October 24, 2009 at 9:59 pm |
I am a Philippines Citizen . and I live in Mexico one year ago and want to cross the border with my Fiance he is American citizen and want to visit his sister dying in Cancer i talk to her on the phone many times and want to see her before she died.My fiance support me and we live together for 3 years.and travel all over Asia.any suggestion.
I tried to apply in Hongkong a landing Visa in States to come in Mexico because no ways to come inmexioc without Landing or stop over in USA,Canda etc. but im denied,,,Luckily they open the direct flight form Shanghai to Mexico but now they close again due of swine flu,..ty
Regards Sheila
sheila // October 24, 2009 at 10:03 pm |
P>S> I am not going to work in USA I just wanted to visit my Fiance Sister and tour . My dream is Travel and Explore the World and see and play real snow.lol
acearley // October 29, 2009 at 11:00 pm |
Hi, Sheila. I wish I had an answer to your question. I can understand why you would want to see your fiance’s sister. That would be so meaningful. It sounds like you are doing the right thing in your attempts to apply for a visa. Keep trying and I hope you are able to go.