We might travel to Riviera Maya in late June with a group of people. Do we need a passport or could we just have a state issued birth cert. and DL?
Thanks for help!

I couldn't locate my passport before I went down 3 weeks ago and called to check. Originally passports were going to be required this year, but that has been extended a year or two.

I had no problem what so ever, using original birth certificate (with seal) and drivers license.

Keith

Since you are not going to June GET A PASSPORT! Please! They are good for 10 years & will be required next year at the latest. Trust me your trip will go smoother & immigration will be easier. A added bonus is people in line will not get upset with you for slowing down the process. I many years ago thought that a passport was unnecessary ( technically it was not) on a spontaneous trip from the Turks & Caicos to Haiti. I got in fine but on departure when a copy of Graham Greene's "The Comedians, a anti-Haitian government book, was found in my bag they used my lack of a passport as a excuse to hold me. It took a Representative from the US Embassy to get me out of the country. He gave me complete & utter hell for not having a passport calling me a idiot. That was the last time I traveled with out one. Extreme? yes, but true, Get A Passport!

If you go to the State Department's website:

travel.state.gov

it spells out the requirements. You're good until Dec. 31, 2006. But Stewbear is right: a passport is the smoothest way to go.

Sb is correct as always!
Why leave home without a PP?

M

I Agree with the others.

WHY would you not want a passport?

In Canada the passports are only valid for 5 year....in reality only 4 and a half years because the passport itself must be valid for six months from the date of your return from a country.

Like stewbear said GET a passport.

My wife's passport does not expire until July 2006 but we had to get a new one last month because we are going to Australia and New Zealand and Tasmania for the months of March...
so 6 months from April 1st is October 1st...so we needed a new passport.

What you do not want to do is have any problems at Customs in a foreign country.

Minimize this by getting a passport.
Your are alreayd luck...yours is valid for 10 years.

Oh by the way did you read in your local paper ( maybe) that two Canadians had their throats slit at the 5 star Barcelo resort in the Mayan Riviera.!?


The bodies are coming home tomorrow.
The victims were the mother and father of a daughter was suppose to be married the next day.

Funny how Barcelo keeps all this so quiet.
Percy

Thanks for all of the information. I agree and know that a passport is the best way to go. I was just trying to get some info. to let the rest of the group know what they need if they decide not to get a pp.

No passport required. The birth certificate/ID will suffice, if that's all the travelers have. Of course, it's "better" all around to have a passport, and they'll be mandatory in a short while - but for an upcoming trip, either form of ID is acceptable in Mexico. The concern shouldn't be just for entering Mexico - reentering your home country is where a glitch can occur, also if you're asked to demonstrate your citizenship.

IF you don't get that much recommended passport--Remember if you are married you must also have a certified copy of your marriage certificate. Your Birth certificate and your ID (drivers license) MUST MATCH NAMES. So if you changed names for any reason and go with a birth certificate don't forget these additional important papers.
Don't delay, apply for the passport!!