Entrance Documents for Mexico?

[razal337]

I know a passport is accepted. If you don't have a passport, is a birth certificate and license acceptable?

Thanks!

[denisea]

According to the Consulate General of Mexico:

US citizens traveling to Mexico as tourists do not need a visa, however, they do need to obtain a FMT (Tourist Card for up to 180 days) at the port of entry or from the airline.

US citizens traveling to Mexico as tourists will be required to present one of the following documents at the airport or port of entry into Mexico:

• Valid United States Passport;
• Original Birth Certificate and photo official identification (i.e., driver's license);
• Certified copy of Certificate of Naturalization and photo official identification (i.e., driver's license);
• Voter's Registration Card with photo official identification;
• Notarized Affidavit of Birth Facts and a official identification

IMPORTANT: US minors (individuals under the age of 18) traveling alone, with only one parent or with someone other than his/her parents must have a notarized letter of consent, signed by both parents or the absent parent. If parents are divorced, a Parental Custody document is permissible in lieu of notarized letter. If you are flying to Mexico, inquire with your carrier in advance about their policies.

According to the Mexican Embassy in Canada:

Canadian citizens traveling to Mexico as tourists will be required to present one of the following documents at the airport or port of entry into Mexico:

• Valid passport (the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade highly recommends that Canadians travel with a passport).
  
• Proof of citizenship and photo ID. Proof of citizenship includes original birth certificate, citizenship card (naturalization certificate) or a notarized affidavit of citizenship (a statement under oath before a notary public, commissioner of oaths or lawyer identifying oneself with another document, stating date and place of birth, and reason for not having an updated passport or original birth certificate). Acceptable photo ID includes driver's license or health card with photo. People born in Quebec must present a birth certificate issued after January 1, 1994, by Le Directeur de l'etat civil in the Province of Quebec. Please note that according to a provincial measure announced on October 24, 2001, baptismal and birth certificates issued by Quebec religious, municipal or judicial authorities prior to 1994, are not considered proof of citizenship.

IMPORTANT: Canadian minors (individuals under the age of 18) traveling alone, with only one parent or with someone other than his/her parents must have a notarized letter of consent, signed by both parents or the absent parent. If parents are divorced, a Parental Custody document is permissible in lieu of notarized letter. If you are flying to Mexico, inquire with your carrier in advance about their policies.

[SeekinaBeach]

Originally Posted by razal337

I know a passport is accepted. If you don't have a passport, is a birth certificate and license acceptable?

Thanks!

My husband and I have traveled to Mexico at least once a year for the last 5 years, and we only use our driver's license and birth certificates. We also bring along a certified copy of our marriage certificate, since the name on my birth certificate doesn't match my driver's license. We've never had any issues, either coming or going.

Actually, I have kind of a funny story about this... last year my hubby lost his driver's license (still not sure where or how). But guess when he realized it? Yup, as we were in the airport checking in for our flight to Cancun!

It took a lot of begging, and the agent had to talk to her manager, but they finally let him go with another photo ID that wasn't his driver's license. We still had no issues traveling either way (except for the initial scare, that is).

Have fun on your trip!
Barb

[lovetheheat]

Proof of citizenship along with a photo ID is acceptable, but we have just always felt more comfortable with using Passports. Although the prior is acceptable, a passport just seems to add a level of personal security somehow.. i.e. Just more widely accepted anywhere you want to go, and less reason for security or anyone to hassle you if they chose to.. Just my 2 cents..

[DiKC]

Besides the Passport being the best form of ID, it also provides helpful information on who and how to contact if you have problems or disasters occur or something like that. We always make photo copies to tuck into each suitcase... just in case something happens to the original. The copy is not officially valid, but would help. We've never had any problems where we've actually needed the passports, but we feel better having them.

[denisea]

Originally Posted by DiKC

We always make photo copies to tuck into each suitcase... just in case something happens to the original. The copy is not officially valid, but would help. We've never had any problems where we've actually needed the passports, but we feel better having them.

We do this too when traveling. We also leave a copy back home with someone. We also scan all documents that we are taking with us... passports, drivers license, credit cards, frequent flyer cards, etc. We save them as PDF files and email a copy to ourselves and usually someone back home like a relative. It's always good to have a redundant back up system in place. Though odds are you'll never need it.