Does my child who is 6, need a passport if hes going to Mexico in Dec. 2007 and returning in Jan. 2008?

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DC Bob

As Julie explained, different rules for different means of transportation.

Also, you did not state what nationality you and your child is/are. If the two or one of you are not U.S. citizens or lawfully admitted, it is a different story.

Now to be on the safe side, and to be ready in the future, I would definitely get your child a U.S. passport, provided he/she meets the criteria.

This is my help from Washington, DC, United States of America.

Charlie

Julie is right. Passports are needed to FLY for EVERYONE. They are not needed for LAND or SEA travel until AFTER SUMMER 2008. See website below and read top half of page carefully for the CURRENT info. If the child is not travelling with both parents, he must have a lettter signed by both parents and notarized giving permission for him to be taken to Mexico. It is also WISE to have the passport...it also requires the signature of BOTH parents. See second wesite for passport info. If you decide to go ahead and get the passport, it would be best to pay for expediting and express mail to be sure you get it on time. I am an American living in Mexico and when I bring a grandchild here to visit I make sure he has a passport and that leterr from his parents so there will be no problems. Also, since the passport requires signature of BOTH parents, just having one, documents to the Mexican authorities that Both parents know he is travelling outside the country. ...as well as that notarized letter. I want NO problems.

julie travelcaster

The rules regarding passports are the same regardless of age.

You absolutely need a passport to go to Mexico via air, and so does your child (even if he is newborn!) If you are traveling via cruise ship it is less clear - the government does not necessarily require it, but most cruise ship lines do.

If you are DRIVING or taking a bus into Mexico, then you can still get in with a birth certificate (original copy with raised seal from the municipality where the child was born) and a photo id. The child will not need the photo ID if he is traveling with both parents. THIS IS ONLY IF YOU ARE TRAVELING BY LAND. You will be able to get in and out of the country in January 2008 without a passport in this limited case.

It is still best to have a passport. Crossing the border from/into Mexico can be a hassle under the best of circumstances - and hot having passports makes it worse.

IF your son is traveling with just one parent, or someone other than the parent, you will also need a notarized letter authorizing the child to leave the country, signed by the other parent(s). This is to prevent international child abductions.

mikelivefortoday

please get him a passport

the ROB's

if you are of mexican heritage i would simply recommend it. Nonetheless regardless of race it is something to always travel with

roundater

below are the current requirements - depends if you are flying or driving:

AIR TRAVEL

Implemented on January 23, 2007, ALL PERSONS traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean region are required to present a passport or other valid travel document to enter or re-enter the United States.

LAND AND SEA TRAVEL
The following summarizes information available on the Department of Homeland Securityâ€™s website.

* JANUARY 31, 2008
U.S. and Canadian citizens will need to present either a WHTI-compliant document, or a government-issued photo ID, such as a driverâ€™s license, plus proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate. DHS also proposes to begin alternative procedures for U.S. and Canadian children at that time.

* SUMMER 2008
At a later date, to be determined, the departments will implement the full requirements of the land and sea phase of WHTI. The proposed rules require most U.S. citizens entering the United States at sea or land ports of entry to have either a U.S. passport; a U.S. passport card; a trusted traveler card such as NEXUS, FAST, or SENTRI; a valid Merchant Mariner Document (MMD) when traveling in conjunction with official maritime business; or a valid U.S. Military identification card when traveling on official orders.

The implementation date will be determined based on a number of factors, including the progress of actions undertaken by the Department of Homeland Security to implement the WHTI requirements and the availability of WHTI compliant documents on both sides of the border. DHS and DOS expect the date of full WHTI implementation to be in the summer of 2008. The precise implementation date will be formally announced with at least 60 days notice.

Note: The passport requirement does NOT apply to U.S. citizens traveling to or returning directly from a U.S. territory.

U.S. PASSPORT AND OTHER TRAVEL DOCUMENTS

* U.S. Passport: U.S. citizens may present a valid U.S. passport when traveling via air, land or sea between the U.S. and the aforementioned Western Hemisphere countries.
* The Passport Card: This limited-use, wallet-size passport card is not yet available and is under development. When available it will only be valid for land and sea travel between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean region (includes Bermuda).
* Other Accepted Travel Documents: SENTRI, NEXUS, FAST and the U.S. Coast Guard Mariner Document. Members of the U.S. Armed Forces on active duty traveling on orders are exempt from the passport requirement. DHS has more information on these travel documents. This information may be seen at www.dhs.gov.

ABOUT WHTI

The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative is a result of the Intelligence Reform and Prevention Act of 2004 (IRTPA), requiring all travelers to present a passport or other document that denotes identity and citizenship when entering the U.S.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced on February 22 its intent to propose, as part of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), significant flexibility regarding travel documents required for U.S. and Canadian children as part of WHTI requirements for U.S. land and sea border entry in 2008.

The goal of the initiative is to strengthen U.S. border security while facilitating entry for U.S. citizens and legitimate foreign visitors by providing standardized documentation that enables the Department of Homeland Security to quickly and reliably identify a traveler.

Media Notes

* 09/04/2007 DHS Reminds Carriers and Traveling Public About the End of the Temporary WHTI Accommodation
* 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

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)
* Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Land/Sea Rule (pdf PDF)

Other Relevant Links

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

Everything you need should be here.

http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html

Sarita

yes they do.. a jr. passport.

YES! Unless a new born UNDER one year old, with a birth certificate, everyone needs one. No later than Jan.1, 2008.

Under one year it takes a "certified" copy of birth and "valid" Soc. Sec number, which usually cannot be gotten that fast.

Brown Eyed Girl

everyone needs a passport to cross the border. Its the law! Regardless of age!

ahh choo

i don't think he should be traving alone at that age

freefall21ms

Yes

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