How strict are the border rules for US citizens visiting Mexico?

Question

A couple friends and I are visiting Mexico via walking across the border through San Diego tomorrow, and while I know that you don't need a passport until 2008 (possibly 2009)...is a birth certificate absolutely neccesary for entry?

Answer 1

If you're just walking into Tijuana, you only need a U.S. government-issued photo ID - such as your driver's license. I used to live in San Diego and made the border crossing many, many times. I never needed more than that.

Answer 2

hallo,

Citizens of United States do not need a visa to Mexico for a stay up to 180 days.

Starting January 23rd, 2007 all United States citizens must be in possession of a valid US passport to enter Mexico. United States legal residents (Green Card holders) need their original Green Card and a passport from their country of origin.

Answer 3

EDIT:  The one thing I never did was go right to the heart of your question.  I have heard two different stories on this issue of re-entry into the U.S. from Mexico.  

1)  just have some form of government issued I.D. (such as your driver's license)--this seems to be what is ok for now from what I have read and heard.  You may also need:

2)  your birth certificate (this may or may not be true)--best bet, contact your senator's office or I.N.S. at 1-800-375-5283.

Check out the last link I have provided since it says that by June of 2009 you will need a passport to drive, walk or go by cruise liner into Mexico.  

Best bet is to contact Senator Leahy (since there is a link in the last link I have provided concerning what he has proposed).  Or you can put in a search engine (yahoo, google, etc.) the Leahy-Stevens Amendment.

The following info is from the government website link I have provided.

If you decide upon traveling to Mexico and come back before the start of next year, all you need is your driver's license (unless you go by flying, I do believe you will need a passport).

Once the New Year kicks in, the following information is what you will need.You will be able to use a Trusted Traveler Card or a passport to re-enter the U.S. (if you plan on staying into the summer months of 2008).

If you come back before the summer of 2008, here is what you will need:

JANUARY 31, 2008

U.S. and Canadian citizens will need to present either a WHTI-compliant document (Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative), or a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’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.

If you come back during the summer of 2008 (at a time to be determined by the DHS), you will need the following (and passports won't be the only method by which you can re-enter the U.S.)

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.