If your going to Mexico in December 2007 do you need a passport to return in January 2008?

Question

Is it nessesary to get a passport to travel to Mexico in December? Will I be able to re-enter the country in January 2008?

Answer 1

You need a passport to go to Mexico via air right now.  If you are going via ship (i.e. on a cruise) then you will need one, because most cruise companies are requiring them now.

If you are traveling via land, that requirement will not go into affect until later next year.  So if you drive into mexico or take a bus, you can get in, and back out in January 2008 with a birth certificate and photo ID.  

Note that this is not the best ID and you may have trouble with it, but it should be accepted if and only if you are traveling via LAND.  Make sure the birth certificate is in the same name as the photo ID (If you have changed your name, you need an official document about that)  and must be the original copy issued by your municipality, and MUST have a raised seal.  

Hope that helps.

Answer 2

For 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.

For land and sea travel, check out the source below.

Answer 3

These are the new requirements:

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.

    * 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.

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: This limited-use, wallet-size passport card is not yet available and is under development.  When available it will only be valid for land and sea travel between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean region (includes 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.

ABOUT WHTI

The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative is a result of the Intelligence Reform and Prevention Act of 2004 (IRTPA), requiring all travelers to present a passport or other document that denotes identity and citizenship when entering the U.S.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced on February 22 its intent to propose, as part of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), significant flexibility regarding travel documents required for U.S. and Canadian children as part of WHTI requirements for U.S. land and sea border entry in 2008.

The goal of the initiative is to strengthen U.S. border security while facilitating entry for U.S. citizens and legitimate foreign visitors by providing standardized documentation that enables the Department of Homeland Security to quickly and reliably identify a traveler.

Media Notes

    * 09/04/2007  DHS Reminds Carriers and Traveling Public About the End of the Temporary WHTI Accommodation

    * 06/08/2007  Joint Departments of State and Homeland Security Announcement: U.S. Citizens with Pending Passport Applications Allowed Temporary Travel Flexibility Within Western Hemisphere

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)

    * Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Land/Sea Rule (pdf PDF)

Other Relevant Links

    * Department of Homeland Security

    * U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Answer 4

Yes you do....and get started now.  The passport office is really behind because of the new rules.  Even the expedited passports are taking way longer than usual!

Answer 5

yes, you need a passport asap. you'll need one to get back into the U.S. in january 2008. but the wait for passports is long so i would recommend doing it as soon as you can. getting the picture is easy and simple. i know walgreens offers passport pictures, that's where i got mine. post offices will most likely offer them too. but the paperwork is what takes the longest. get that done soon. and have fun on your trip :)

Answer 6

Yes you will need your passport, not because Mexico needs you to have it to get in but because the USA requires you to show it when you return beginning January 1st. 2008.

Answer 7

get passport