Do you need a passport if you go a cruise to Mexico?

Question

Do you need a passport if you go a cruise to Mexico?

Answer 1

In the past, you only needed your birth certificate, however since 2007 you now need a passport--its the law and not an option.

Answer 2

Under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)

The proposed implementation timeline has two phases:

    * Beginning January 23, 2007, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport, Air NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document, or an Alien Registration Card, Form I-551, if applicable.

    * As early as January 1, 2008, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including ferries), may be required to present a valid passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security. While recent legislative changes permit a later deadline, the Departments of State and Homeland Security are working to meet all requirements as soon as possible. Ample advance notice will be provided to enable the public to obtain passports or passport cards for land/sea entries.

The passport requirement does NOT apply to U.S. citizens traveling to or returning directly from a U.S. territory.  U.S. citizens returning directly from a U.S. territory are not considered to have left the United States and do not need to present a passport.  U.S. territories include the following: Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Swains Island, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Travel Documents for U.S. Citizens Under WHTI

Under the proposed implementation plan, the following documents will be acceptable to fulfill document requirements:

    * U.S. Passport:   U.S. citizens may present a valid U.S. passport when traveling via air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda, and may also use a U.S. passport when traveling via sea and land borders (including ferry crossings).

    * The Passport Card (also referred to as the PASS Card):   This limited-use passport in card format is currently under development and will be available for use for travel only via land or sea (including ferries) between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.  Similar in size to a credit card, it will fit easily into a wallet.

    * DOS and DHS also anticipate that the following documents will continue to be acceptable for their current travel uses under WHTI:  SENTRI, NEXUS, FAST, and the U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document.  As proposed, members of the U.S. Armed Forces on active duty traveling on orders will continue to be exempt from the passport requirement.

Background

The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 requires the Department of Homeland Security and Department of State to develop and implement a plan to require all travelers, U.S. citizens and foreign nationals alike, to present a passport or other document, or a combination of documents, that denote identity and citizenship when entering the United States.  Congress amended portions of the Act in 2006.  The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative is the Administration’s proposed plan to implement this mandate.

The goal of the Initiative is to strengthen border security and facilitate entry into the United States for U.S. citizens and legitimate foreign visitors by providing standardized, secure and reliable documentation which will allow the Department of Homeland Security to quickly, reliably and accurately identify a traveler.

Media Notes

    * 11/22/2006  Passports Required for Air Travel to United States as of January 23, 2007

    * 10/17/2006  Department of State to Introduce Passport Card

Flyers & Fact Sheet

    * Fact Sheet - Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (pdfPDF)

    * Fact Sheet - WHTI's Successful Implementation (01/30/07) (pdfPDF)

    * Flyer on Passport Requirement for Air Travel to United States as of January 23, 2007 (pdfPDF)

    * Hoja de Informacion (pdfPDF)

    * WHTI Information Sheet - French (pdfPDF)

Frequently Asked Questions

    * Frequently Asked Questions about the New Travel Initiative Requirements (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

Answer 3

The answer is NO.  The passport regulation for cruising to Mexico is changed to Jan. 2008.  If you fly, then you need the passport.

Still, the passport is the best form of ID.

The waiting period is currently around 12 weeks.  The cost is $97.  For an extra $60, it can be rushed to 3 weeks with no guarantee.

Answer 4

a copy of your birth certificate I guess

Answer 5

not until jan 01, 2008

til then you only need a drivers license and a certified birth certificate

Answer 6

No you do NOT need a passport for sea travel to mexico. BUt it is very efficient if you do get one.If people actually checked the passport requirements on the gov't website, they'd see that they were REVISED, they would know before answering the question and looking like a fool.  I had an argument with the lady at the post office when I was asking about the passport req's, and she was stating that you NEED a passport for SEA travel. ANd she argued with me about it so much, i just told her to go on the government website, and she ended up going on it, and she looked like a FOOL to all the other people in the room, b/c she was wrong. Its for air travel internationally.  International SEA travel , you don't NEED a passport. Its highly reccomended though. It was revised in January 2007, so the passport thing is req'ed as EARLY as jan 2008, not 2007. BUt I would recommend it. You don't want to sit on line for hours and hours while other people are passing you gettting on the ship much sooner. We ended up getting one , and expediting it. So we can go right thru the lines and not have to deal with any problems. If you miss the ship you dont' wanna get stuck with no passport to get back! haha. Well just check out the passport req's on the goverment website. It was revised that is why all these people dont' know what they are talking about they are il informed.

Answer 7

I assume you are from the US.

Yes.  The rules just changed in January.  Needed for Canada, too.

Order it fast if you don't have one.  I heard that there is a back log and it is taking a lot longer to get one, even if you pay extra to expedite it.

Answer 8

No. You will just need a state certified copy of your birth certificate. (And it's to get back INTO the US, not to go there, just as some general information)

You are allowed re-entry into the US when travelling by sea or land with a certified copy of your birth certificate (not a copy you made on a copy machine yourself - although it would probably work, you'd get to go through a lot of questions and answer sessions with Immigration). The requirement of having to have a Passport for re-entry is now just for air travel. Starting January, 2008, that requirement will change and you will be required to have a Passport also for sea travel re-entry.

It is "recommended", but not required until January. And with the backlog of Passport requests, the time it takes to get a Passport has grown a bit recently, so if you are going soon, it would be a good idea to apply for the future and hope you get it before you leave, but don't delay or cancel your cruise if you haven't gotten it.

One thing to keep in mind is now without a Passport, when you come back into the US and go through Immigration at the port, you will answer a few questions vs. being waved through if you are holding and displaying a Passport. But even at that, it's usually just a few quick questions such as where you were born and like what hospital while they are looking at your birth certificate.

Answer 9

Since this is a big debate. It wouldnt hurt to have one but the official answer is NO if going by cruise ship and yes if your flying!!!!!!!! Starting January 23, 2007 all international travel to and from the US to caribbean and all thsoe other places will need to have a valid passport when re entering the US..

As early as January 2008 anyone traveling by ship to a foreigh country such as the carribean, mexico, bahamas, and etc do not need to have one, just a valid ID, birth certificate or an expired passport when re entering the US... thats directly what the requirements state.

Answer 10

You can still get on with just a birth certificate but a passport makes things so much easier. I use mine all the time, even for domestic travel. A passport is perfect for the gate and security people.

Answer 11

As of right now NO YOU DO NOT but in 2008 passports will be required for entering another country by air, land or sea.

Answer 12

Yes.  Since January 2007 you MUST have a passport to leave the United States, if you plan to reenter

Answer 13

The last guy that answered hit it on the nose... i have been on a cruise before and i had a passport. you do not need it except the cruise lines highly recommend it. Think of it this way -- if you miss the boat due to a delayed flight the morning of the cruise.. etc. The next step is that the airline should fly you to your first port so you can make the boat -- now if you have to fly to Mexico - and dont have a passport you are out of luck. I hope that makes sense... its better if you have one for reasons like that, but you arent required yet. However as soon as Jan. of 08 you may be required to have a passport for all travel via cruise ships... good luck. have fun on the cruise!

Answer 14

A valid passport is required for all international travel.

See the following link on the US Department of State's Travel Page.

Answer 15

If you get off the ship , its good to have one !