Hi,

Has anyone traveled (via plane) in and out of Mexico without a passport?

Husband and I are first-timers to Mexico and have never been on any vacations except for domestic ones with our kids and our honeymoon to Puerto Rico years ago, so we've never had a need for a passport.

My husband has misplaced his citizenship certificate (he became a citizen in 1965) and we need to have that certificate in order to apply for his passport. Looks like the "red-tape" will take us a while and we were really hoping to go to Mexico in March.

A friend told me it's possible to go to Mexico without a passport. Is that true? Would we have problems getting back into the U.S.?

Thank you!

A passport if fine but a US Driver's License or a borth certificate will do.

In fact, a wrinkled receipt from Colonel Sanders or Dairy Queen would also probably get you in to shed some greenbacks around.

Just remember to hold on to the Mexican TOURIST CARD you will be issued on the plane. You will need it to get out of Mexico. It is just a statistical tool, but they make it hard on you if it's lost.

Passport always seems easier, but officially, as far as I know, you can still travel from the US to Mexico with a photo ID (drivers license) and official (stamped, not just a copy) of your birth certificate.

Check with your airlines, they should be able to best answer about current requirements.

A passport is not necessary. You will need a birth cerificate with the offical county seal and your drivers license. What will NOT work alone is social security card, voters registration, credit card and especially a old wrinkled receipt from anywhere with a bribe-the only thing this may get you is jail time or for sure a return trip without ever seeing anything but the airport. That piece of advice was very bad-Mexico has always been very strict at the airports but are even more so since 9/11. Since your husband lost his citzenship certificate, I highly recommend you contact someone in the state department to find exactly what he needs to do.

The advice mayte gave is the best advice! A passport is much preferred but at the minimum you need a government issued birth certificate (not hospital) with a raised seal. And don't try a bribe. In recent years, during the Fox administration, Mexico has been trying to eliminate this and in many cases, very successful.
Good luck!

I don't believe that Poppa was suggesting a bribe to get in. It sounds to me that he was saying that they want you in so badly to spend dollars that they will accept anything.

You also have to to concerned about the ID necessary to get back into the US. Getting a passport is worth the hassle, especially if you are considering more foreign travel.

Also consider checking on your immunizations.

Jed got it right.

Yes, I have done bribes both small and great in Mexico (I made films there) but not in matters having to do with Immigration.

For those, there are other slightly illegal gambits. Gor example, when your 6-month entry expires, you run down to Belize, walk out of Mexico and into Belize, and then re-enter Mexico with a fresh 6 months.

And, please, let's not anyone get cranky with me. I have 35 years in Mexico and both appreciate and respect its people and customs -- that means ALL its customs.

Here the the poop on entry requirements:

"The Government of Mexico requires that all U.S. citizens present proof of citizenship and photo identification for entry into Mexico. A U.S. passport is recommended, but other U.S. citizenship documents such as a certified copy of a U.S. birth certificate, a Naturalization Certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or a Certificate of Citizenship are acceptable. U.S. citizens boarding flights to Mexico should be prepared to present one of these documents as proof of U.S. citizenship, along with photo identification"

Looks like we'll need to get his passport! Thanks for all the info, everyone!

You do NOT need a passport if he has any of those other items.

Believe me, it is worth it to have the passport, even if you only travel abroad occasionally. I've only been out of the country twice with my passport, but it is also great for traveling on domestic flights as well. All of the ticket agents know what a passport loks like, as opposed to out of state driver's licenses.
And a word of advice from my profession (human resources), if you change jobs and need to fill out a new I-9, the passport will save your HR person about half the writing on their part of the form (as compared to SS Card and license), and even an expired passport can be used for employment eligibility verification!

I'm from Canada. I have a passport, my husband does not. We've traveled to Mexico 4 times and my husband has never had any problems whatsoever using his driver's license and birth cert.