Does my child need a passport?

Question

So my daughter is 4 1/2 and a US citizen. My parents are thinking about taking her to mexico this summer for about a month and i just want to know if she needs a passport? also her father is no longer in the picture so do i have to worry about having to have him consent to her going out of the country? Well the truth is I don't know where he is so I just want to make sure I don't need him for anything. and the last thing is I heard that when you travel to mexico by plane you have to pay a fee when you enter the country kind of a tourist fee? is that true?

Answer 1

Yes she does need a passport to travel to Mexico because it's required now.  She will also need a notarized letter that you give her permission to travel with your parents specifying dates and where in Mexico they will be going.  Her father will also have to sign that letter unless you are the only one with legal custody.  You could probably find others things you may want to know if you check travel.state.gov website....hope this helps.

Answer 2

Your daughter MUST have a passport to fly to Mexico.  See 1st site below for all application info for a child.  You MUST have the signature of the father for her to get a passport.  You also MUST send a letter with her stating that your parents ( give their names) have your permission to take her to Mexico...and there must be an identical letter from her father . These letters must be notarized.  Now...if you have SOLE legal custoly and have court papers to pove it, you must present these papers to avoid needing his signature...and you would need to write a letter explaining this and send a copy of the letter and court order with your parents.  If you do not have that, do your very best to find him and get his signature...my daughtet found her ex thru his mother...she didn't want to tell where he was, so my daughter sent the forms to her to have him sign and get notarized and send back and that worked.  If you simply cannot find him...get  letters from your lawyer, clergyman, family friends to attest to this.  The passport service deals with this frequently and will help you handle this. If the fathers name is NOT on the birth certificate, then I don't think you have to worry about all this.  See 2nd site and read section on MINORS under "Entry Requirements.  This stuff takes time, but it will be  good for her to have the passport.   You need to allow a minium of 6 weeks to get the passport after the application is submitted.   On the airplane, tourists need to get a Mexican tourist card.  It costs about $22.00 per person.  If you drive to Mexico, you get the same card at the border  for the same price. Your parents really do have to have the signed, notarized letters of permission..they will likely be asked for them at custioms.  Good luck with all this.  I know it is a pain, but it can be done.