going to Juarez from El Paso, do i need passport?
Jun 23rd, 2005, 05:05 AM
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going to Juarez from El Paso, do i need passport?
Hi everyone......I am going to Juarez mexico next week to have dental work done. I will be staying in El Paso. A freind of mine went in February and she said all she needed was drivers license. She said she was told that you only need a passport if you are going further than 18 miles into Juarez or staying longer than 72 hrs. I'd like to know if this is still the same. I see quite a few here have been to Juarez and am hoping someone can relieve my worries about this.....as I know I dont have time to get a passport now. We are flying out from Atlanta to El Paso next thursday. Any info would be soo much appreciated. I do have my birth certificate and marriage license as of course my name is different from birth due to getting married. I dont know if that will be good enough. Or if anyone here knows of an Official with a phone number that I could call to double check on this....that would be great. Anyways, thanks for any and all advice.
Misty196264
Misty196264
Jun 23rd, 2005, 05:45 AM
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Thanks for the quick responses...
Sooo will I be okay with these?
1)Drivers License
2)birth certificate
3)marriage license (since my name is different than at birth due to marriage)
I am just trying to make sure I have all thats needed. Woudn't want to get into mexico and then Not be able to get back into El Paso! That would sooo Not be good!
Sooo will I be okay with these?
1)Drivers License
2)birth certificate
3)marriage license (since my name is different than at birth due to marriage)
I am just trying to make sure I have all thats needed. Woudn't want to get into mexico and then Not be able to get back into El Paso! That would sooo Not be good!
Jun 23rd, 2005, 08:09 AM
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Really, you don't need your birth certificate or your marriage license. You're drivers license is more then enough. You will be able to get back with just that. I'm from El Paso and go over frequently for lunch and shopping,so I know it is still currently this way.
Jun 23rd, 2005, 09:34 AM
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Hey Misty, you should be just fine.
If you are having painful dental work keep in mind that it is NOT legal to bring back pain killers, even with a mexican prescription.
You'll need to take some with you from the US WITH you, in the original bottle with your name on it... technically you can't bring drugs back without having a valid US script WITH you.
If you are having painful dental work keep in mind that it is NOT legal to bring back pain killers, even with a mexican prescription.
You'll need to take some with you from the US WITH you, in the original bottle with your name on it... technically you can't bring drugs back without having a valid US script WITH you.
Jun 23rd, 2005, 09:45 AM
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Misty~
Please do not listen to MNP's advice; you do need more than just your driver's license (no disrespect but if she can't get in or out of Mexico, it's she that'll be out of luck, not you).
Now, for travel to Mexico, since you don't have a passport, what is REQUIRED is a form of ID such as drivers license and original or certified copy of your birth certificate and yes, your marriage license.
I'm not saying you'll be asked for these items which is what this nice poster above is saying but in the end, it's what's required that matters in the end to enter/leave Mexico.
Please do not listen to MNP's advice; you do need more than just your driver's license (no disrespect but if she can't get in or out of Mexico, it's she that'll be out of luck, not you).
Now, for travel to Mexico, since you don't have a passport, what is REQUIRED is a form of ID such as drivers license and original or certified copy of your birth certificate and yes, your marriage license.
I'm not saying you'll be asked for these items which is what this nice poster above is saying but in the end, it's what's required that matters in the end to enter/leave Mexico.
Jun 23rd, 2005, 10:38 AM
#8
A US driver's license is still all you will require.
The new requirements are not yet in effect anywhere and will not be in effect for Mexico until December 31, 2006. When they are in effect, you will need a passport.
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2225.html
The new requirements are not yet in effect anywhere and will not be in effect for Mexico until December 31, 2006. When they are in effect, you will need a passport.
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2225.html
Jun 23rd, 2005, 01:12 PM
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Barbara is wrong, at least officially. In reality, the US may let you come back, but please read this page from the State Department website:
travel.state.gov/travel/tips/regional/regional_1174.html
And let me quote this:
"The following frequently-cited documents are NOT sufficient proof to enter the United States: US driver's license alone, Social Security Card, US military ID, a non-certified photocopy of a US birth certificate, a notarized Affidavit of Citizenship signed at the airport in the U.S., or even a voter's registration card. Travelers with only these documents may not be able to enter the U.S."
A driver license proves your identity. A birth certificate proves your citizenship. A DL alone is not enough. Period.
travel.state.gov/travel/tips/regional/regional_1174.html
And let me quote this:
"The following frequently-cited documents are NOT sufficient proof to enter the United States: US driver's license alone, Social Security Card, US military ID, a non-certified photocopy of a US birth certificate, a notarized Affidavit of Citizenship signed at the airport in the U.S., or even a voter's registration card. Travelers with only these documents may not be able to enter the U.S."
A driver license proves your identity. A birth certificate proves your citizenship. A DL alone is not enough. Period.
Jun 23rd, 2005, 01:39 PM
#10
rkkwan, very little of that page refers to walking across the border for a day. This is clearly something you do not do regularly. I have never been asked for anything more than a driver's license and prior to 911, not even for that.
MNP, who does walk across regularly at the exact place the OP will be crossing, is the person who actually knows what will be asked for there.
MNP, who does walk across regularly at the exact place the OP will be crossing, is the person who actually knows what will be asked for there.
Jun 23rd, 2005, 03:02 PM
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It's one thing to tell your experience. And that's mine too - a DL is all the US side will look at. But it's a different thing to tell on a public travel board that a DL is all that's needed to get back to the US.
People need to know that the State Department rule says otherwise. One need to consider the risk when going to Mexico with just a DL.
People need to know that the State Department rule says otherwise. One need to consider the risk when going to Mexico with just a DL.
Jun 23rd, 2005, 03:04 PM
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BTW, the page I link to specifically deal with Mexico. It's up to the US official whether to believe you're a US citizen, and up to him/her to believe whether you went for a day or 2 months. There's no distinction in US code how long one has left the country.
Jun 23rd, 2005, 03:21 PM
#13
The page you quoted is indeed about Mexico, BUT it's primarily about flying deep into Mexico, which is NOT what the OP is doing.
All the other people who read this thread who are going to Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, or wherever will find your link valuable, but they don't apply here. Of course, those people won't read this thread because it's about walking across the border.
Misty, why are you going to Juarez to have dental work done? I can see that it's probably less expensive, but after you factor in the plane fares from Atlanta to El Paso, hotel in El Paso, food, etc. is it still saving enough money to be worth the trouble?
All the other people who read this thread who are going to Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, or wherever will find your link valuable, but they don't apply here. Of course, those people won't read this thread because it's about walking across the border.
Misty, why are you going to Juarez to have dental work done? I can see that it's probably less expensive, but after you factor in the plane fares from Atlanta to El Paso, hotel in El Paso, food, etc. is it still saving enough money to be worth the trouble?
Jun 23rd, 2005, 03:30 PM
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Hi all... Thanks for the responses.
Okay, my birth certificate is NOT a photo copy. It is a card with the embossed raised seal....so that is good.
However, looking at my marriage license, it must be just a copy, because it doesnt have a raised seal on it. I do however have my social security card....i forgot to post that earlier.
Okay, so I think I get it....Most go thru with just drivers licence BUT if they decide to check, you need something else too.
-------------------------------------
And let me quote this: (rkkwan)
"The following frequently-cited documents are NOT sufficient proof to enter the United States: US driver's license alone, Social Security Card, US military ID, a non-certified photocopy of a US birth certificate, a notarized Affidavit of Citizenship signed at the airport in the U.S., or even a voter's registration card. Travelers with only these documents may not be able to enter the U.S."
---------------------------------------
rkkwan, Of course i am not the expert, but I get out of that above paragraph...that NO drivers license ALONE is not enough, that yes you need more than that. (altho i will say this does get a lil confusing in how it is worded).
I went to a site this morning www.usembassy.state.gov and got the phone number for Mexican consolate in El Paso, She told me for a day trip to Juarez, you need only Drivers License and Birth Certificate. Also on that website it states that there is an inspection point set up 20 miles south of the border and that THat is the point at which you would need proof of citizenship and a tourist visa.
--I would have called also the number for mexican immigration office in Juarez IF i could have....just to be double sure, BUT evidentally I dont have international service on my phone line, becuase dialing all those numbers did not work!!
ohh and thanks too about the info on the prescriptions. Geez I never even thought of that. I just thought surely, if they are doing painful dental work, they will write a script, but I guess it doesnt work that way...... I WILL be having some painful dental work done. So I guess I need to get my doctor here to write me a script & get filled before I go.
soooo, As long as it is in its "original bottle" with my name on it, it will be okay?
Goshh...makes me just not even wanna bring with me across the border (seems scary)....but I am sure I am going to need it.
Okay, my birth certificate is NOT a photo copy. It is a card with the embossed raised seal....so that is good.
However, looking at my marriage license, it must be just a copy, because it doesnt have a raised seal on it. I do however have my social security card....i forgot to post that earlier.
Okay, so I think I get it....Most go thru with just drivers licence BUT if they decide to check, you need something else too.
-------------------------------------
And let me quote this: (rkkwan)
"The following frequently-cited documents are NOT sufficient proof to enter the United States: US driver's license alone, Social Security Card, US military ID, a non-certified photocopy of a US birth certificate, a notarized Affidavit of Citizenship signed at the airport in the U.S., or even a voter's registration card. Travelers with only these documents may not be able to enter the U.S."
---------------------------------------
rkkwan, Of course i am not the expert, but I get out of that above paragraph...that NO drivers license ALONE is not enough, that yes you need more than that. (altho i will say this does get a lil confusing in how it is worded).
I went to a site this morning www.usembassy.state.gov and got the phone number for Mexican consolate in El Paso, She told me for a day trip to Juarez, you need only Drivers License and Birth Certificate. Also on that website it states that there is an inspection point set up 20 miles south of the border and that THat is the point at which you would need proof of citizenship and a tourist visa.
--I would have called also the number for mexican immigration office in Juarez IF i could have....just to be double sure, BUT evidentally I dont have international service on my phone line, becuase dialing all those numbers did not work!!
ohh and thanks too about the info on the prescriptions. Geez I never even thought of that. I just thought surely, if they are doing painful dental work, they will write a script, but I guess it doesnt work that way...... I WILL be having some painful dental work done. So I guess I need to get my doctor here to write me a script & get filled before I go.
soooo, As long as it is in its "original bottle" with my name on it, it will be okay?
Goshh...makes me just not even wanna bring with me across the border (seems scary)....but I am sure I am going to need it.
Jun 23rd, 2005, 03:35 PM
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I have worked in the travel industry for many years and I say this...
EXPECT that anything could happen.
It is simply NOT worth the trouble.
If there should happen to be a terrorist attack while you are in the dental chair you just might need every document you can carry.
I have never had a problem personally, even returning from Cancun a few months ago the US official did not give a passing glance at any of my husbands documents (his passport was lost)...
But my sister was in Canada on 9/11 she was so happy to have that passport because they were 10x more critical of documents that could easily be fraudulent.
Everyone should get passports soon... why wait until the processing offices are backed up?
You know that there will be a huge wave of applicants within 12 months!
EXPECT that anything could happen.
It is simply NOT worth the trouble.
If there should happen to be a terrorist attack while you are in the dental chair you just might need every document you can carry.
I have never had a problem personally, even returning from Cancun a few months ago the US official did not give a passing glance at any of my husbands documents (his passport was lost)...
But my sister was in Canada on 9/11 she was so happy to have that passport because they were 10x more critical of documents that could easily be fraudulent.
Everyone should get passports soon... why wait until the processing offices are backed up?
You know that there will be a huge wave of applicants within 12 months!
Jun 23rd, 2005, 05:11 PM
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oh Barbara,
I missed this part earlier. Yes, even factoring in the flight/hotel it is worth it. The flight and hotel is cheaper than half the price of only ONE porcelain crown here where I live. And I need many crowns and not sure if I need a root canal too. I couldnt possibly afford this here, sooo it was either contemplate dentures which I do NOT want to do at this point, (and besides here i would be paying almost 1000.00 just to pull my top teeth, not even including the price of the dentures, or go to Juarez and I can keep me teeth!
and too, I know of a few people that went to this clinic and said they were absolutely wonderful there and did Great work! So I considered it a Blessing when I heard of them.
I missed this part earlier. Yes, even factoring in the flight/hotel it is worth it. The flight and hotel is cheaper than half the price of only ONE porcelain crown here where I live. And I need many crowns and not sure if I need a root canal too. I couldnt possibly afford this here, sooo it was either contemplate dentures which I do NOT want to do at this point, (and besides here i would be paying almost 1000.00 just to pull my top teeth, not even including the price of the dentures, or go to Juarez and I can keep me teeth!
and too, I know of a few people that went to this clinic and said they were absolutely wonderful there and did Great work! So I considered it a Blessing when I heard of them.
Jun 24th, 2005, 02:57 AM
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People tend to confuse proof of ID (like a driver's license) with proof of citizenship (like birth certificate or passport). The US wants to know you can legally be in the US - that is why some proof of citizenship is required.
Now, they may not ask to see it, but you are on the right track to bring it. I would not want to be stuck in Mexico with a toothache.
After your teeth heal, get a passport - very soon it will be required for travel to anywhere outside US. You never know when you will win a free trip somewhere!
Now, they may not ask to see it, but you are on the right track to bring it. I would not want to be stuck in Mexico with a toothache.
After your teeth heal, get a passport - very soon it will be required for travel to anywhere outside US. You never know when you will win a free trip somewhere!
