What does my 17 year old brother need in order to travel from USA to Mexico?

Question

I am 20 and he is 17 and we will be traveling to Mexico.

I already have a passport so I believe I will be fine and will have no trouble traveling.

My brother is 17 and I will be his "guardian". As of now he has no government issued ID and was wondering what he will need in order to travel with me.

Will his birth certificate and his ID from school work?

Please let me know what I need. Thanks!

Answer 1

For travel to Mexico he will need the following:  

Passport, or proof of citizenship (such as original birth certificate or naturalization certificate) and photo ID.  Tourist card is required.  Tourist card valid 3 months for single entry up to 180 days, $20 fee, requires proof of U.S. citizenship, photo ID, and proof of sufficient funds.  Visa not required of U.S. citizens for tourist/transit stay of up to 30 days.  

Obtain tourist cards in advance from Consulate, Tourism Office, and most airlines serving Mexico upon arrival.  Departure tax $10 is paid at airport when not included in the cost of the airline ticket.  Notarized consent from parent(s) required for children under age 18 traveling alone, with one parent, or in someone else’s custody.  

For additional information, check with the Embassy of Mexico, 1911 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20006 (202/736-1000) or nearest Consulate General: AZ (602/242-7398), CA (213/351-6800, 415/392-5554 and 619/231-8414), CO (303/331-1110), FL (305/716-4977), GA (404/266-1913), IL (312/855-1380), LA (504/522-3596), NY (212/217-6400), PR (809/764-0258) or TX (210/227-1085, 214/630-7341, 713/542-2300, 512/478-9031 and 915/533-4082).  Internet: http://www.embassyofmexico.org/

Some countries require that your U.S. passport be valid at least six months or longer beyond the dates of your trip. Check with the Embassy or Consulate of the country you plan to visit for their requirements.

Answer 2

if you are driving there, a passport is fine, but they probably wont check lol

great, right? stupid--nvm

but if your flying, passport is all-its always better to be safe than sry tho, so why not bring it all!

you may want to check with ur airline to be sure

Answer 3

He needs a passport..

Answer 4

This will be  as short and to the point as poss.  If you are flying, you both need passportsw or prof of application for passports.  See 1st website below to read about the "flexibility" Program.  If you are driving, you do not need passports til next jan.  See 2nd website to read the passport law.  Since he is 17 you must have a letter or form of permission signed by both parents and notarized. Best to have 2 or 3 notarized copies and keep them in different places in your stuff.   See 3rd website about this...scroll down to paragraph titled, "minors." You both need certified copy of your birth certificate and a gov't issued picture I. D.   OR...he may use a school I.D. with a foto.  I took my grandsons to the DMV and got state I.D. cards for them to use.  You may or may not ever be asked for that permission letter, but better have it.  At border checkponts, never volunteer, info, never ask questions, but have all your papers in order to offer if asked.  Smile, be pleasant, relaxed.  I have never had a problem at the border.

You may email me if I can help you in any other way.

Answer 5

First of all, seventeen means minor in Mexico.  If he is travelling without his parents, you will need to carry notarized permission for him to travel in your care, permission given by both parents. His birth certificate will work with Mexican authorities but with all the 911 furor, he may have a great deal of difficulty returning to the USA. I'm an American citizen who lives in Mexico and they scrutinize my passport each time I return to Texas.  My advice, invest in the passport.