I am traveling from the U.S.A into Monterrey Mexico...do i need a passport?

Question

Its 2008 and i want to make sure i dont need a passport. One of my co-workers said no because it is a NAFTA country...im confused...Can anyone tell me where i can find that info?please!

Answer 1

I am an acceptance agent in Minnesota for the passport agency. Here is some info that might help

AIR TRAVEL

Implemented on January 23, 2007, ALL PERSONS traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean region are required to present a passport or other valid travel document to enter or re-enter the United States.

LAND AND SEA TRAVEL

The following summarizes information available on the Department of Homeland Security’s website.

    * JANUARY 31, 2008

      U.S. and Canadian citizens will need to present either a WHTI-compliant document, 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.

    * LATER

      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.

Note: The passport requirement does NOT apply to U.S. citizens traveling to or returning directly from a U.S. territory.

U.S. PASSPORT AND OTHER TRAVEL DOCUMENTS

    * U.S. Passport: U.S. citizens may present a valid U.S. passport when traveling via air, land or sea between the U.S. and the aforementioned Western Hemisphere countries.

    * The Passport Card: U.S. citizens may begin applying in advance for this new, limited-use, wallet-size passport card beginning February 1, 2008. We expect cards will be available and mailed to applicants in spring 2008. When available it will only be valid for land and sea travel between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean region, and Bermuda.

    * Other Accepted Travel Documents: SENTRI, NEXUS, FAST and the U.S. Coast Guard Mariner Document.  Members of the U.S. Armed Forces on active duty traveling on orders are exempt from the passport requirement. DHS has more information on these travel documents.  This information may be seen at www.dhs.gov.

Answer 2

If you are flying, you must  have a passport.  That has been the case for a couple of years now.  

If you are driving, you must have proof of citizenship (an official certified copy of your birth certificate, with a raised seal is the gold standard if you don't have a passport) and a government issued photo ID.  That will be true until sometime this summer, when a passport or other WHTI-approved document will be needed for such travel.

I've included the link to the info on the State Department's web site, so that you can see that this is the exact correct information.   This is the official US Government word.  (and the US Government is the one with the limitation. )

Answer 3

If u r a citizen of the US all u need is a valid ID but if u r crossing border lines u do need a passaport... make sure u also take with u a birth certificate, don't leave this country without one u do want 2 come back don't u?

Answer 4

Yes, you do

Answer 5

I'm going to Mexico too, this March!

And this is your lucky day. According to an acceptance agent in Minnesota for the passport agency, you don't need a passport (If you are driving there.). I asked about the same question, here is all the info you need. :]

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

The info you need will be as the best answer that I chose.

Good Luck, and have a nice trip! :D

Answer 6

NAFTA isn't like the EU.

You do need a valid passport to enter Mexico.

Answer 7

You absolutely need a passport.

In the past, many Americans would travel to Mexico with no documentation and come back with little trouble.  I assume you will be flying to Monterrey.  If you fly, you can't even check in for your flight without a passport.   A birth certificate no longer works at all.

However, If you drive, you can get across the border pretty easily without a passport but you can't get past the internal immigration and customs checkpoint that is set up about 10km further south.  You will also have trouble getting back into the USA.  You will eventually be let back in, but you may spend some time in 'holding'.  It won't be pleasant, so don't even try it.  For the record, I would not recommend driving to Monterrey from the USA unless you are experienced at it in Mexico.  The highways are not up to US safety and security standards.