Do i need passport to go to Mexico on bus?

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Steele B

I hate to be rude but alot of these people are talking nonsense! No you don't need a passport to travel to mexico via bus, nor car. The new law that went in to effect last Jan states that you need a passport to fly to any international country including Mexico and Canada. And it also stated that you will need a passport to enter these countries via bus or car after Jan 1 2008 but due to this new law the passport agentcies have been extreamly backed up so they have extended the cut off date to July 2008. So to answer your question no you do not need a passport to cross the border or to return until July 2008. You will need a birth certificate and some form of picture id for you. just the birth certificate for the kids. But instead of taking advise from us go to this website and it will give you solid answers! Have fun in Mexico!

private_jet_charter

To travel from the US to Mexico on a bus you do not need a passport, I would suggest that you bring the kids birth certificates though. For the complete information on border crossings you should visit the Customs & Border Patrol website http://www.cbp.gov/

roundater

Travel Accommodation Announced June 8, 2007

* Maura Harty, Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs on the Temporary Travel Accommodation
* How Does This Affect Me?
* Are you a child who is a U.S. citizen traveling to Mexico, Canada, Bermuda or countries in the Caribbean region by air and you have applied for a passport but have not received it yet?

The U.S. Departments of State and Homeland Security announced Friday, June 8, that U.S. citizens traveling to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or countries in the Caribbean region, who have applied for, but not yet received passports, can re-enter the United States by air. This accommodation does not mean that Americans are exempt from meeting the entry requirements of Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or countries in the Caribbean region, some of which require a passport, certified birth certificate, or other evidence of citizenship for entry.

We have reached out to the governments of countries affected by WHTI to consult with them about our announcement. Many of them have agreed to take a flexible approach toward their own entry requirements. For the most current information on entry requirements at their destination, travelers should contact their airline.

U.S. citizens traveling to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or countries in the Caribbean region who have applied for, but not yet received passports, can re-enter the United States by air by presentation of a government issued photo identification and Department of State official proof of application for a passport through September 30, 2007. The federal government is making this accommodation for air travel due to longer than expected processing times for passport applications in the face of record-breaking demand.

The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) was mandated by Congress in the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 to strengthen border security and facilitate entry into the United States for citizens and legitimate international visitors. WHTI requirements for air travel took effect on January 23, 2007.

Adults who have applied for but not yet received a passport should present government-issued photo identification and an official proof of application from the U.S. Department of State. Children under the age of 16 traveling with their parents or legal guardian will be permitted to travel with the childâ€™s proof of application status. Children traveling alone should carry a copy of their birth certificate, baptismal record or a hospital record of birth in the United States in addition to their passport application status documentation. This accommodation applies to all American citizens who apply for passports, until September 30, when this accommodation period ends. U.S. citizens with pending passport applications can obtain proof of application at: http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/status/status_2567.html.

Since implementation, U.S. Customs and Border Protection has and will continue to exercise its current authorities in unique circumstances to allow individuals subject to the WHTI requirements into the United States based on other evidence of identity and citizenship.

Travel document security remains a top priority for the U.S. Government. Both the 9/11 Commission and the U.S. Congress urged strengthening of travel documents to prevent entry of terrorists across our borders, reduce use of fraudulent documents, and speed up entry procedures.

How does this affect me?

1. Are you a U.S. Citizen traveling to Mexico, Canada, Bermuda or countries in the Caribbean region by air who HAS APPLIED for a passport but has not received it yet?

* If so, go to http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/status/status_2567.html and follow the instructions to print out your passport status page. Keep this status page with you during your entire trip for both exit from the U.S. and re-entry to the U.S.
* Next, find out what the entry requirements are for the country you are visiting. In some cases, you may need to contact the Embassy of the country you are visiting.
* Be sure to present the documentation required by the country you are visiting along with your printed passport status page to the airline personnel upon departure and re-entry to the U.S.

2. Are you a U.S. Citizen traveling to Mexico, Canada, Bermuda or countries in the Caribbean region by air and you have NOT APPLIED for a passport yet, or, you HAVE NOT APPLIED TO RENEW an expired passport yet?

* If so, access the Passport Page to apply for a new passport or to renew an old passport

* Once your application is in process with the U.S. Department of State (which could take up to 7 to 10 days to track online), you should:

* Go to Checking the Status of Your Application and follow the instructions to print out your passport status page. Keep this status page with you during your entire trip for both exit from the U.S. and re-entry to the U.S.

* Next, find out what the entry requirements are for the country you are visiting. In some cases, you may need to contact the Embassy of the country you are visiting.

* Be sure to present the documentation required by the country you are visiting along with your printed passport status page to the airline personnel upon departure and re-entry to the U.S.

3. If you are a U.S. Citizen traveling to ANY OTHER COUNTRY and your passport application and delivery has been delayed,

* Please go to U.S. Passport Application Status to check the status of your application. The online status check will verify that the application is in process, and will update to confirm when the completed passport has been mailed.

4. If you are a U.S. Citizen traveling to ANY OTHER COUNTRY and your passport application and delivery has been delayed and trip departure date is within two weeks, please e-mail the National Passport Information Center.

5. Are you a child who is a U.S. citizen traveling to Mexico, Canada, Bermuda or countries in the Caribbean region by air and you have applied for a passport but have not received it yet?

* Children 16 and under traveling with a parent or legal guardian will be required to present the proof of passport application status from the Department of State (DOS) for departure from the United States as well as re-entry to the United States. Acceptable confirmation of a passport application may be found at the Department of Stateâ€™s website at http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/status/status_2567.html.

* Children 16 and under traveling alone should carry a copy of their birth certificate, baptismal record or a hospital record of birth in the United States as well as the proof of passport application status from the Department of State (DOS) for departure from the United States as well as re-entry to the United States. Acceptable confirmation of a passport application may be found at the Department of Stateâ€™s website at http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/status/status_2567.html.

* Children older than 16 and traveling alone are required to have a government-issued photo ID in addition to the proof of passport application status. Acceptable confirmation of a passport application may be found at the Department of Stateâ€™s website at http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/status/status_2567.html.

Media Notes

* 06/08/2007 Joint Departments of State and Homeland Security Announcement: U.S. Citizens with Pending Passport Applications Allowed Temporary Travel Flexibility Within Western Hemisphere

Frequently Asked Questions

* Frequently Asked Questions about the U.S. Citizens with Pending Passport Applications Allowed Temporary Travel Flexibility (FAQs)

Federal Regulations

* Final Rule - Air Phase (pdf PDF)
* Proposed Rule - Passport Card (pdf PDF)
* Comments Submitted in Passport Card Rule Making Proceeding (DOS-2006-0329-0001)

Other Relevant Links

* Department of Homeland Security
* U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Mrs. Pierzynski

If you will be getting off the bus once you get to Mexico, it might be a good idea. Call a travel agency and ask them.

Limbonia

For the near future all you need is the birth certificates and proof that you have applied for
passports. If you're married, you need permission from your husband to take the kids out
of the country. The permission is a notarized letter from him.

Daniel R

Find out at http://travel.state.gov

Usually going to Mexico, you won't need a passport. A birth certificate will usually work for US citizens. However, when you cross the border, you will be given a form that you must keep with you until you leave.
Also keep in mind that some points of entry into the US require US citizens to have a passport to re enter the US.

roybcun

Hi Jessica,

I know there have been many versions about this, but the latest reports (June 8th) inform the American government has approved to allow their citizens to travel without a passport but only if they have already applied for it...

(http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2007/jun/86206.htm)

The Mexican government has already declared the country open for the American tourism who do not need to bring a passport to enter Mexican soil and stated it is the new American regulations which restrict the border crossing as a matter of security...

;)

tororojo

http://travel.state.gov/travel/images/img_1942.gif
Try this link. You must apply now. Currently you need only show your application to return to the US.

Paul

YES! You don't know how hard it is to get out of Mexico without a passport

bcn_mimosa

Yes you do.. they stamp it on the bus also...

Jules

You will need a passport for you and for your kids to travel to mexico or any international country.

ESweetPea

You need a passport. Some people will say you don't...I wouldn't believe them. I went to Mexico in '99, before all this 9/11 and "border security" hoo-ra, and I needed a passport.

Depending on how old your kids are, they might not. But if you get stopped at a checkpoint, if you need a visa, if you need proper ID...you need a passport. I wouldn't leave the country without one.

Oberon

for the next 6 months, you do not need a passport to go to Mexico or Canada

apprently no one saw the news story that the passport offices have been so inindated with requests, that the department of homeland security has made an order that for the next 6 months only....passports will NOT be required for Americans traveling to Mexico or Canada

jennyv

i don't think you need to have a...wait, i'm sure you don't need to have a passport to go on bus to mexico!! you just need a special ticket and a lot of money cause its going to cost you a lot.

hope i helped ya!

â˜†Zesteeâ˜†

Yes, you need a passport to get into Mexico now.

Tiffany

yes you need one to cross the border and they take A LONG time to get one...good luck

casapulla2001

yes.

Why chance anything, anyhow? Your children don't have driver's licenses - and a passport is simple to get for them. Any American should always travel with passports, which is basically proper & official ID. If you're going with your children, there's no excuses for not visiting a local post office or passport office to get it done for the kids or update your own. You never know when you'd need an Embassy with assistance, or some official will spot-check and the need of something more weighty.

Tonya

yes you need one

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