What happens at the Mexico border (Matomoros) if you lose your ID and have never had a passport?

Question

also, would i be able to get an ID in Brownsville or would that be a problem?

I'm a US citizen.

Answer 1

They will probably take you into a room and question you for a while.  If they can be satisfied that you're not a terrorist, I think they'll let you go.

Maybe you can get an id in Brownsville.  Are you a Texan?

Answer 2

if you're a citizen it shouldn't be that big of a deal.  if you are hispanic and speak with an accent and are a citizen, it might be a slightly bigger deal.  just a little stereotyping....but hey, you are the one who lost the ID so you have to put up with a bit of inconvenience and mistreatment.  but no, they aren't going to make you turn around and go back to mexico.

Answer 3

are you trying to cross into mexico if so just get an id and you need your birth certificate and you wont have a problem

Answer 4

In order to travel Internationally now, you do need a passport.  That was changed Jan 1, 2007.  You definitely wouldn't get back into the Country if you don't have your ID on you.  Customs is pretty strict on that stuff.

Answer 5

The US State department gives detailed information about what you need to present (legally) to cross the border by land or sea.  

Their website states:  "Land or sea travelers must have a valid U.S. passport (or U.S. citizenship documents such as a certified copy (not a simple photocopy or facsimile) of a U.S. birth certificate, a Naturalization Certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or a Certificate of Citizenship are acceptable along with photo identification, such as a state or military issued ID)."

This means that your "ID" doesn't have to be your driver's license - it could be any kind of state or military issued ID.  Everyone always writes on these boards that you won't need your birth certificate, but the actual law states that you do.  Especially in your case, I would take the time to get a certified copy of your birth certificate.  You can get it online at the VitalChek site listed below in my sources.

As for passports, at some point in the future they will require all US citizens to have them no matter how they are traveling - but as of right now, they have even postponed the mandatory carrying of passports for people traveling into (and returning from) Mexico by air.  The passport office is so backlogged that they caved to public pressure and are now accepting other forms of ID.  Check out the Washington Post article in my sources about this.

If you are driving, don't forget to get the Mexican insurance for your car.  Getting pulled over in Mexico without insurance might actually be worse than trying to cross back into the US without your driver's license!

Good luck!