Do we need passports to go to Mexico?

Sorry, we're from the U.S.

<BR>If you have one, use it. If you don't have one, get one, and use it a lot. It is good for 10 years.<BR><BR>See what Uncle Sam says:<BR>http://travel.state.gov/mexico.html<BR>

Technically, no. But I wouldn't leave the US without my passport. You could have some hassles getting back in.

I had one and it expired. I am leaving in 2 weeks. How difficult is it to have it renewed? I am contemplating whether to bother with it or not. Thanks.

Technically all you need is a certified copy of your birth certificate with a raised seal and a government issued photo ID like your driver's license. Practically things have changed. If you are going to a big tourist destination like Cancun you will probably be o.k. If you go off the beaten path at all you will want a passport. Anywhere it will speed things up. For example, some banks and casas de cambio will no longer cash travelers checks if you don't have a passport. Likewise if you travel anywhere you will go through a military check point you will want a passport. It will also speed your entry on return to the U.S. <BR>To above- to renew, if you don't have a passport office in your city, find out which post office in your area does passports. Get a renewal form, follow the instructions, get a photo, send it in with your old passport and wait. I think with the time you have left you will neeed to use a passport expediter service because with two weeks you probably can't get it done. Your old one doesn't get renewed, you get a new passport, so its almost like getting one for the first time.

<BR>You COULD:<BR>1) travel with the other documentation, carrying your expired passport, just in case. You can renew it at a U.S. embassy or consulate, if convenient.<BR>2) mail in the renewal application and if you don't get it in time, use the other documentation<BR>3) pay a third party to get it renewed for you (I am too much of a bargain- hunter to ever do this, since I could do it myself)<BR>4) what I would do: renew it person. I am not going to be crossing a U.S. border without a U.S. passport.<BR><BR>state.gov has all the info you need<BR><BR>For how, see:<BR>http://travel.state.gov/passport_obtain.html<BR><BR>For where, see:<BR>http://travel.state.gov/agencies_list.html<BR><BR>Twelve years ago, for my first passport, I sent the app by mail. The passport was in my mailbox 8 days later. I'd go in person today.<BR><BR> <BR>

Well I am only going on a cruise to the Souther Caribbean so I don't expect to have any problems. I was unaware that renewal was the same ordeal as getting a brand new one. I have looked on the web and there are places that say in 24 hours we will get your passport. I just wonder if they are legit....! You pay of course through the nose. Well I am just going to travel with the old one. I of course have Birth certificate with raised seal, driver license etc.etc. I am just to lazy to bother I guess. I have known about this for 3 months!! Well with the Holidays and all I just never got around to it.

Renewing a current passport is not a big ordeal - you fill in a short form, provide new photographs, and wait for the new passport to be printed with your photo and information. I've done it myself in one day (in Chicago) by arriving at the passport office just before it opens, and returning late that afternoon to pick up the new passport. This was a few years ago, and I would allow a week or more if doing it now.<BR><BR>If your passport is lost, damaged, or expired, then it's more complicated - the reason is that the current, undamaged passport is proof of both identity and citizenship, and if you don't have that, you will have to prove by other means that you are who you say you are and are entitled to a US passport.<BR><BR>xxx - Why not call the cruise company and see what they say? I'm sure they encounter this question often, and they know exactly where you will be going &amp; whether their passengers have had issues in those places in the past.

For anyone that is interested. I callled the passport office this a.m. Renewals can be done over the computer. You can print out a form. DS-82. This can be found over www.travel.state.gov then follow directions. mail it in and you will receive your passport. Must submit and new picture. cost is $55.00 if you go into an office you need to pay an additional $30.00 so I was told. Basically it is cost effective to do it over the web.

The post office with a passport office can do the renewal and it is 55.00 plus 30.00 processing fee and for an extra 60.00 can get expedited service to you within 3 work days. To save the 30 fee do it yourself and send your passport in certified mail. I had to do this with my sons last summer because they said it could take up to 6 weeks to get them back but it only took 2 weeks.I thing they were covering their butt. When i renewed mine a month ago i did it myself. it was 55 plus the cost of the new passport photos 5.00 and the certified mailing fee 2.50. I got it back in 10days. I printed the form off the internet, just make sure you use the right form.

ttt