Passports for Mexico

Posted by Passport Editorial March, 3rd 2021 in Frequently Asked Questions

Passports are required for all air travel to and from Mexico. For travel by land or sea, adults should have a passport, passport card, enhanced driver’s license, or a trusted traveler card like NEXUS, FAST, or SENTRI. Children under the age of 16 may travel with only a birth certificate, as may children under the age of 19 who are traveling with an organized group like a school, church, or sports group. However, keep in mind that Mexican regulations typically require US citizens to have a passport if they travel beyond the “border zone” into the interior of the country.

Instead of a passport, passengers on closed-loop cruises, which begin and end in the US, may cruise with a state-issued photo ID and birth certificate or naturalization certificate.

Please Note: U.S. visitors can arrive by plane to Mexico without a testing or quarantine requirement. However, effective January 26,2021, all airline passengers coming back to the United States ages two years and older must provide a negative COVID-19 viral test taken within three calendar days of travel. Alternatively, travelers may provide documentation from a licensed health care provider of having recovered from COVID-19 in the 90 days preceding travel.

Do I need a passport for Mexico?

Whether or not you need a passport to go to Mexico depends on two factors: how you’re getting there and when you’re planning to go. Passports are already required for travel to Mexico if you are traveling by plane. However, land and sea travelers can cross the border with a passport book or a passport card.

Some border crossings may permit travel with a state-issued ID (like a driver’s license) and proof of American citizenship (like a birth certificate). However, this is not recommended as you will have a harder time crossing back into the USA without your valid passport. The only groups of people who are able to cross the border using birth certificates will be children under 16 traveling with family and children under 18 if they are on an organized trip with a school, church, or sports group. These exceptions only apply to children traveling by land or sea. Everyone flying to or from Mexico will still need a passport, regardless of age. As a safety precaution, it’s best that all travelers to Mexico have a passport in case they need to fly home unexpectedly.

If you’re planning a trip to Mexico, it’s important to apply for a passport at least 8 weeks and preferably several months in advance.

If you need a passport to Mexico in a hurry, you should consider using a private passport expediting service to submit your passport application. With an expediting company, your application will be processed more quickly, bypassing the normal wait times. With RushMyPassport.com, you can have your passport processed quickly, safely, and securely!

Click here to view our passport processing options, and order your passport to Mexico the easy way!

Mexico, travel requirements, US passport, WHTI

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56 Responses

January, 3rd 2024Sami Ullah
I love mexico
October, 7th 2022Alex Rofman
Hi, do you provide services to expedite the renewal of a Mexican passport?
- October, 10th 2022Passport Editorial
  Unfortunately not. At this time, we are only able to assist with the expedition of United States Passports.
January, 14th 2015Connie Millet
Do I need to renew or have all my shots before entering Mexico?
- January, 16th 2015Alison Kroulek
  Hi Connie, For US Citizens, all that is required to fly to Mexico is a valid passport.
March, 13th 2013anaiza
hey am going to travel to mexico but my way back its going to be by land and am bring my niece for a couple of month to the usa i have all my documents including my passort but i dont know if my niece is going to need a passport she is 3 years.
March, 1st 2013Alison Kroulek
Hi Vane,A suspended driver's license shouldn't be a problem unless she's actually behind the wheel, but not having a passport might be -- they do have the ability to detain you temporarily at their discretion on the way back into the US if you don't have a passport, just to make sure you really are a citizen.If you live close to the border and don't want to spend the money on a passport book, why not just get passport cards? You can't use them to fly but they are less expensive and are Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative-compliant for when you cross back into the United States.
February, 24th 2013Vane
My sister and I, 31 and 20, need to go to Tijuana right outside the Mexican/US border. We do not have our passports but we are citizens and have our birth certificates and our ID. However, my sisters Drivers liscence is suspended. Would this be a problem when returning to the U.S. ?
January, 21st 2013Alison Kroulek
Hi Emily,If you're getting off the boat in Honduras, you need a passport. Besides, it's a good idea to have one anyway if you'll be exploring independently- that way, if something happens and you miss the boat, you can book a flight to catch up with it at the next port. Have fun!
January, 15th 2013Emily
So if I leave from Galveston, TX and take a seven day cruize through Belize, Honduras, Mexico and back to Galveston, will I need a passport? I am 23, and will definitely be getting off the boat to explore areas in these counties. Even if a passport is technically not needed, should I get one, just in case?
December, 26th 2012Alison Kroulek
If you’re traveling by car, you may be able to get into Mexico, as long as you go no further than 12 miles in. Further than that, passports are required by the Mexican government. Getting back into the US, you may experience delays while they verify your US citizenship, so allow extra time for that. If your husband lives out of the country, it would be best if you got a passport or at least a passport card.
December, 20th 2012selene
Am a US citizen going to mexico on the 23 of this month but i dont have a passport but i do have a Drivers Licemse? Am going to Durango Mexico. Im worried i wont Be able to go see My husband is down there and i havent seen him in 6months.
August, 16th 2012Alison Kroulek
Hi Crystal,Only if you're traveling by land or sea, going no further than 12 miles into the country and staying less than 72 hours. However, you need a passport, a passport card, an enhanced driver's license or a trusted traveler card like a NEXIS, FAST or SENTRI card to get back in to the US with no hassles.
August, 14th 2012crystal
Can u enter mexio without. Pasport
May, 22nd 2012Diana
My 16 year old daughter has been invited to go with a friend and his family to Mexico. They will travel by car. They are visiting relatives in Mexico. She has a driver's permit, but not a drivers license. She also has a birth certificate, but no passport. Will she be able to enter Mexico and return to the US?
- May, 25th 2012Alison Kroulek
  Hi Diana,She's 16, so technically she needs a passport or a passport card to travel into Mexico, even by car. She'll also need a notarized letter from you and her father giving permission for the trip. Here's an example: http://gomexico.about.com/od/entryrequirements/qt/parent_autho.htm
May, 20th 2012Christopher
I lost my passport and have the receipt from when i originally got it. Would that work for returning back to the states after being in Mexico?
- May, 25th 2012Alison Kroulek
  Hi Christopher,No, I'm afraid not. Contact the nearest US Embassy and they should be able to help. Good luck!
April, 18th 2012Jerry
Does a year-old baby need a passport also? Traveling by air.
- April, 19th 2012Alison Kroulek
  Hi Jerry, Yes, the little one will need a passport, also. See the instructions here: How to Get a Child Passport
March, 31st 2012laurie
I have a friend that is going to walk over to the border to mexico to shop just south of San Diego, does she need a passport she also might go to a town in Mexico about 60 miles south of the border by car will she need a passport for her trip?
- April, 1st 2012Alison Kroulek
  Hi Laurie,She will need a passport, a passport card, a NEXUS, FAST or SENTRI card (the last three are "trusted traveler" programs)
March, 27th 2012steve
Hello. We are driving to mexico and want to take a family friend who's under 16, what does she need?...thanks
- March, 27th 2012Alison Kroulek
  Hi Steve,She needs her birth certificate, and if her parents aren't coming along for the ride you need a signed, notarized permission slip from them for the trip.Have a great trip!
March, 16th 2012Jaynie
So I don't need a passport to go into Mexico I'm not worried about getting back to the u.s
- March, 18th 2012Alison Kroulek
  Hi Jaynie,You are legally (by the Mexican government) required to carry a passport if you're going beyond the "border zone," about 12 miles into Mexico.
March, 7th 2012Ginny
i will be going to delrio texas in july and would like to take my family over to ciudad acuna mexico if we all have our dl and photo ids as well as birth certificates can we get ib.n without passports.
- March, 8th 2012Alison Kroulek
  Hi Ginny,If you're driving, the kids will be fine with birth certificates if they are under 16, but anyone over 16 should have a passport or a passport card. You can get into Mexico without a passport, but without these you may be detained temporarily on the way back into the US while they verify your citizenship.Have a great trip!
March, 5th 2012laura
Hi, so my daughter is 15 and were planning to go to mexico by land this friday, but she doesnt obtain a passport, but has a birth certificate will she be able to renter the US.
- March, 6th 2012Alison Kroulek
  Hi Laura,Yes, she's under 16, so she can use a birth certificate for land travel.Have a great trip!
February, 20th 2012Kathie
Do you have to have a passport to cross into Mexico for Medical or Dental appointments? Kathie
- February, 24th 2012Alison Kroulek
  Hi Kathie,If you're driving across, technically you're supposed to have a passport, a passport card, an enhanced driver's license (this has an RFID chip in it like a passport and is only available in a few states) or a NEXUS, FAST or SENTRI card to get back into the United States. I assume you're not flying, but if you are, you absolutely need a passport book.
February, 17th 2012Melissa
We are traveling to Mexico by plane 2/18-2/23. Our children's passports expire March 2012. Just wanted to reconfirm above point "For Mexico, it just has to be valid for the length of your stay" to be on the safe side - thanks!
- February, 19th 2012Alison Kroulek
  Hi Melissa,That is correct, but you can definitely call the Mexican Embassy at (202) 736-1600 to double-check. Have a great trip!
January, 23rd 2012Sandra Myerrs
My friend is having a birthday party in Mexicali with her family there and is inviting friends from the U.S. to go with her. I do not have a passport and don't think I should go. I don't want problems coming back over the border.
- January, 25th 2012Alison Kroulek
  Hi Sandra,That's understandable. If you'd like to go without investing in a passport, as long as you're driving you can apply for a passport card for $55. This no good for air travel but will get you through if you're traveling by land or sea. Hope this helps!
January, 9th 2012Tom Allen
My wife has a passport but it is in Michigan.She wants to go to Mexico from Arizona. She has a birth certificate and driver's license. Will she be okay to re-enter the U.S.
- January, 11th 2012Alison Kroulek
  Hi Tom,If she's driving, she'll be okay, since Customs can't keep a US citizen out of her own country. However, they may detain her temporarily while they verify that her documents are legit, so she should allow extra time at the border just in case. She probably would not be allowed on an airplane to/from Mexico without her passport, though.Good luck!
January, 8th 2012kari valdes
My son is 17 and going on a cruise with friends and their family. the cruise leaves from long beach stops in ensenda and return to long beach. does he need a passport card or can he use his dl and birth cert?
- January, 11th 2012Alison Kroulek
  Hi Kari,He'll be fine with his birth certificate and driver's license.
December, 29th 2011fernando
hi i am trying to plane a trip with my niece she is underage US citizen (5 years old) what would i need to travel with her
- January, 1st 2012Alison Kroulek
  If you're traveling to Mexico, she needs a passport and you need a notarized letter signed by both of her parents granting permission for the trip. :)
December, 16th 2011Jose
My sister and niece want to go to Mexico but my niece's passport expired. She is a US citizen. She is barely going to renew so she won't get it in time for when I leave next week. We are driving over. What can she do?
- December, 16th 2011admin
  Hi Jose, How old is your niece. If she's under 16, she just needs her birth certificate. If she's older, she is supposed to have a passport or a passport card to get back into the United States from Mexico. I would recommend either making an appointment at the nearest Passport Agency Office (call 1-877-487-2778) or give us a call and we'll be happy to help!
November, 28th 2011kevin
do you need a passport to stay in mexico if you marry in mexico?
- November, 30th 2011Alison Kroulek
  Well, as long as you're a US citizen you should keep a valid passport on hand if you're living overseas, so that you can return to the US if necessary. You can renew yours at a US Embassy in Mexico. As far as what Mexico requires a US citizen married to a Mexican citizen to have, you'll need to check with their Immigration department.
November, 9th 2011Martha
Will you clarify, June 1st of what year?
- November, 15th 2011Alison Kroulek
  Hi Martha,The regulations went in effect June 1st, 2009. Hope this helps!
August, 30th 2011Mary
What if its a child that needs to come back for school and his passport is in progres is there any way he can come back without it. He has a WI Id. Will they let him on a plane with his Id and birth certificate.
- August, 31st 2011Alison Kroulek
  Hi Mary,It's highly unlikely that they'll let him on the plane without a passport. However, he can cross the border by land with his ID and birth certificate. Or, contact the nearest US Embassy and see if they can help him get his passport more quickly. Good luck!
July, 22nd 2011maria
what if i have already gone to mexico and did not take a passport and i want to go again without one what will happen im a us cizitien
- August, 4th 2011Alison Kroulek
  You won't be able to fly in to Mexico without a passport book. If you're traveling by car, you really should have a passport book or a passport card. Customs officials can't keep you from re-entering if you're a US citizen, but they can detain you and are more likely to do so if you have a history of trying to cross without a passport. You really should at least get a passport card.
July, 12th 2011Sue
do I need my passport valid 6 months after I visit Mexico (if I visit in September does my passport have to be vaild to March?
- July, 13th 2011Alison Kroulek
  Hi Sue,Not unless you're staying until March. :) For Mexico, it just has to be valid for the length of your stay. Have a great trip!
June, 10th 2011larae
how do i get a pass port in mexico for my niece who is a US citizen and has lived there since she was 4. so how can she get back now that she is 18?
- June, 11th 2011Alison Kroulek
  Hi Larae,Contact the nearest US Embassy and they should be able to help you. Have a great day!

Passports for Mexico

Do I need a passport for Mexico?

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