Do You Need a Passport to go to Mexico?

[Spooner]

Puerto Plata specifically

 

[Mill]

I don't believe so.

 

[Syringer]

Nope, countries in the Americas don't require one..except Cuba I believe.

 

[nord1899]

If its anything like Canada, either a Passport or a Drivers License and Birth Certificate.

 

[weezergirl]

since 9/11 i think they've become a LOT more strict. you don't necessarily need a passport but something that proves you are an american citizen such as a BC will be needed to allow you to enter back into the states.

 

[jaeger66]

You DO need one if you're going beyond the Mexican "Free Zone". I'm not positive how far down the zone goes though.

 

[Aves]

I went to Puerto Vallarto, MX in May/June 2002 with my wife. All we needed were our birth certificates.

 

[EvilYoda]

I would suggest taking as many safety precautions as possible...why you ask? My friend was supposed to go to Acapulco last last Friday. She was back in Ann Arbor on Saturday because she got to Mexico and they wouldn't let her in the country. Granted, she doesn't have a US passport (Chinese), but she said they were complete asses about it...she came back, got a visa, and then went back again.

But I'm sure most US citizens will be fine.

 

[slycat]

what if i dun intend to come back?

 

[Hamburgerpimp]

Nope, just walk right through the turnstiles into Mexico and you're a free man! Coming back, you'll only need a driver's license or State ID.

 

[Ylen13]

if u drive in ,make sure u have mexico insurance unless u want to pay off mexico police when u get pulled over or speend in jail till u are able to pay them off.

 

[FoBoT]

doesn't matter is you "need" one, in my opinion, it is in your best interest to have one ANY time you leave US soil, with the current state of international affairs

i would take my passport to go to Canada or Mexico

 

[Zugzwang152]

somehow i'd feel a lot safer in canada than in mexico without credentials...

 

[amnesiac]

I just had a copy of birth cert. and a drivers license. WOrked fine for me.

 

[jjones]

A passport is not required. You can visit Mexico and return to the States with an original copy of your birth certificate (must have the original seal; photocopies are okay but they have to contain the original seal, not a copy of the seal). That and you need a photo ID such as your driver's license.

 

[aircooled]

You don't need one, but I'd get one just to be on the safe side. It may save you alot of time and hassle.

 

[cnwk64]

Originally posted by: nord1899
If its anything like Canada, either a Passport or a Drivers License and Birth Certificate.

Who carrey their Birth Cert. with them??
I rather take my passport with me.

 

[cavemanmoron]

Originally posted by: aircooled
You don't need one, but I'd get one just to be on the safe side. It may save you alot of time and hassle.

bring some extra $$$ too...

tourist stuff,is cheap like Big hats,lol etc,

 

[aircooled]

Originally posted by: cavemanmoron

Originally posted by: aircooled
You don't need one, but I'd get one just to be on the safe side. It may save you alot of time and hassle.

bring some extra $$$ too...

tourist stuff,is cheap like Big hats,lol etc,

Leather is cheap too. Make sure you pick up a good belt or jacket...

 

[etech]

TIPS FOR TRAVELERS TO MEXICO
Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Publication 10571
August 1998

Other useful precautions are:


Leave a detailed itinerary and the numbers of your passport or other citizenship documents with a friend or relative in the United States.

Bring either a U.S. passport or a certified copy of a birth certificate and photo identification.

Carry your photo identification and the name of a person to contact with you in the event of serious illness or other emergency.

Keep photocopies of your airline or other tickets and your list of travelers checks with you in a separate location from the originals and leave copies with someone at home.

Leave things like unnecessary credit cards and expensive jewelry at home.

Bring travelers checks, not cash.

Use a money belt or concealed pouch for passport, cash and other valuables.

Do not bring firearms or ammunition into Mexico without written permission from the Mexican government.
...

I'd print the bottom of this page with the phone numbers of the US Consulates.


Consular Information Sheet - Mexico


Leather was a good buy the last time I was there. That's been quite a few years ago though.

 

[bigredguy]

I know a guy who came across the border with no ID. They just asked what citizenship he claimed. Really makes me feel safe at night knowing how well are border patrol works.

 

[Semper Fi]

I just spent a week down in Cerritos, San Luis Potosi, Mexico four weeks ago. Had no problems going down there or any on the way back to the U.S.

You don't need a passport, a certified copy of your birth certificate and driver's license will do. (If you're old enough you might need to get a new one, the older birth certificates don't have the states seal on it and look like someone copied a sheet of paper.)
However, I would recommend that you get a passport. Even though they don't even stamp it coming or going.
Make sure you get a Mexican visa if you're going to be there for more than a few days. They're only $20 something dollars.

And all the tips etech posted are great. I will disagree a little on the no cash detail though. Depending on where you are going, travelers checks may not be readily accepted or you may be charged a fee for using them.
Also make real sure that you don't have ANY type of ammunition, even spent ammunition. It can cause some major problems.

We had a great trip, going back in July.