I'm spending 4 days in mexico, from san ysidro. Have no birth cert or passport avail. have CDL +. can I go?

Question

wife and kids have birth certs. I can't get mine in time, or a passport. I have CDL, work ID, SS Card. What can I do to get to and from Mexico at San Ysidro border?

Answer 1

The rules for the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative right now state that American citizens traveling by land (versus plane) must show either a birth certificate PLUS a legal photo ID, OR a U.S. passport.  My understanding is that they will eventually allow you to cross without one of the above, but that it will be a big hassle (i.e., you will be pulled aside, investigated, questioned, etc. until they are satisfied of your citizenship.)  I would try to get a copy of my birth certificate if I were you.

As for the person who mentioned the danger, I go across the border every few weeks and have had no problems whatsoever.  The great majority of the violence down there involves people who are involved in the drug trade.  I read Mexican newspapers every day and can recall no incident in which an innocent American tourist was killed.  If you go down and behave yourself, you should be fine.

Answer 2

The simple of it is, as of January 08 you cannot cross the border without a valid passport.  To obtain a passport, visit the city administration building down on Harbor drive, 2nd floor and make sure you have a notarized original copy of your birth certificate, this will cost 15 bucks.   then go the central post office over in Point Loma and order the passport there, this will cost 60 bucks.   I just did this and it took less than three weeks to get my passport in the mail.

Answer 3

technically,you should have a passport to cross the international border.its not going in to t.j.that you need it,its coming back home.

i would not worry about it that much,after all,it only baja and not the southern areas.

Answer 4

yes if you are walking over  yes you can but by vehicle you might have problems coming out . I do believe if you are just there on the border town in Tijuana you will be okay coming out but do take all you have with you .

Answer 5

I live near that border crossing AND I'm MEXICAN and i R E F U S E to cross that border. The news only get half of all the killings that are going on down there. I highly suggest NOT going. It really isn't worth you or your family's lives. Innocent people are getting murdered down there like crazy. People of ALL races, whites, blacks, mexicans please hear me out on this! It is NOT safe!!! I even went to school down there as a kid and will NOT go down there. I'm telling you, going down ther is a death sentence.

Answer 6

Some how I BELIVE V.D on this one. Somehow I dont think hes lying. I'd choose another border crossing point myself.

It must , MUST be a certified copy with a seal or something. Mine is on special paper that if copied it sys " VOID " all over it. I was able to get mine fom Fla very easy and fast - I had all the correct info and Fla was 3 days door to door.  You dont need a pasport for land crossing right now just ID and birth cert. Certified copy - nothing else.

Answer 7

You can get a certified copy of your birth certificate for like $5 from the county where you were born.

I would'nt test it... what if you get stuck there and can't come back across the border?

If you are flying, call the airlines.

Answer 8

With that idea of the copy of your birth certificate, if it's certified true copy then it should be as good as a regular one.  But why not phone and ask at a customs office at the airport or border? Then see if you can go.