TRAVEL INFORMATION

Travel Documents

 

International Travel Documents for
Travel Between the U.S. and Mexico

DEFINITION OF TERMS:
Birth Certificate
A birth certificate presented as proof of citizenship for international travel must be the original county, federal, or state-issued document, a state or county certified copy, or a notarized copy of the original. Hospital-issued birth certificates are not accepted.
Regardless of which government agency records the birth, the basic components are outlined below:
• Given name of child - at least one given (first) name; middle names or initials are not required.
• Surname of the child (family name) - each birth must record a family name. It does not have to be the name of the birth father.
• Date and time of the child's birth.
• Place of birth - the nearest city, township, or village and state must be recorded.
• The mother's legal name at the time of the child's birth; the father's name is not required.

Driver's License and Photo ID
A federal, state, or provincial driver's license is a universally accepted form of photo ID; however, it should be noted not all states require a photograph. A driver's license, with or without photo, will be accepted as ID, provided the driver's license has not expired. Customers presenting a driver's license without a photo will be required to produce some other form of valid photo ID for travel, i.e. an employee ID, a credit card with enclosed photo, a Costco card, or some other form of photo laminated with embossed name issued by third party.
A valid (unexpired) U.S. or Canadian driver's license or a military ID containing a photo of the holder may be used for valid identification to or from Mexico. Some states do not require a photo on the license. In this case, the customer must have some other kind of photo ID. All travelers over the age of 18 must have photo ID, or will be denied travel.

Passport:
A valid passport is the best evidence of citizenship. Although presenting a passport is not a guarantee of admission into another country, it is by far the most widely accepted travel document. Be sure that your passport has not expired. Many countries require the passport be valid for at least 6 months beyond the planned stay in their country. It's always a good idea to make a photocopy of the 'bio' page (with your name, photograph, date and place of birth, etc.) of your valid passport in case it is lost or misplaced in a foreign country. The photocopy will be very helpful to the consulate or embassy when issuing a replacement. Keep the photocopy in a separate place.
If the name on the passport is not the same as on your ticket, you must present documented evidence for the discrepancy. This is most common with newlyweds, when a spouse has not changed the name on their identification to match their new surname. A photocopy of a marriage license will dispel confusion with customs and immigration officers.

U.S. Alien Registration Receipt Card (Green Card): Form I-551
The resident alien card, commonly known as a 'Green Card' must not be expired, or it's not valid for travel.
Green Cards will no longer be accepted for entrance into Mexico from the United States.
However, passengers are required to present an unexpired Green Card for travel or re-entry into the United States from Mexico.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED:
All persons crossing an international border are required by the country of entry to produce evidence of citizenship. The information provided herein only pertains to citizens of the United States, Canada, and Mexico when traveling between the United States and Mexico.

U.S. Citizens may travel between the U.S. and Mexico with the following documents:
• Valid U.S. passport, or
• U.S. state or federal government-issued birth certificate with government-issued photo ID such as unexpired driver's license or military ID.
• Notarized photocopy or notarized fax copy of the above birth certificate with government-issued photo ID.
Note: These documents are not valid as proof of citizenship:
• Voter's registration cards.
• Hospital-issued birth certificates.
• Affidavits of citizenship.

U.S. Citizens Under Age 18 - Additional Information
• Children under age 18 traveling with a birth certificate are not required to have photo ID, but it is highly recommended.
• If a child traveling to Mexico has a different last name from the mother and/or father they're traveling with, it is highly recommended that the parents travel with evidence, such as a birth certificate or adoption decree, in the event the Mexican authorities request it.
• Adults with infants too young to have received a birth certificate must have a notarized letter from the pediatrician or hospital of birth identifying the traveling adult by name to the infant.
• If coming with a church group, it is HIGHLY recommended the person in charge have a notarized letter from the parents of the minor giving permission for the person in charge to take their minor on a trip into Mexico.

Resident Aliens of the U.S. may travel between the U.S. and Mexico with the following documents:
• Valid national passport (visa may also be required).
• Mexican visa may also be required.
• Important Update: A U.S. Resident Alien Registration Card (Green Card) is no longer an acceptable travel document for entry into Mexico. It is required for re-entry into the U.S.

Mexican Citizens Residing in the U.S. may travel one way from the U.S. to Mexico with the following:
• Mexican passport (OK if expired), or
• Matricula Consular, or
• Certificate of Nationality issued by Mexican Consulate with photo ID, or
• Birth certificate with recent photo ID, or
• Mexican voter registration papers with photo ID.
• Important Update: A U.S. Resident Alien Registration Card (Green Card) is no longer an acceptable travel document for entry into Mexico. It is required for re-entry into the U.S.

Mexican Citizens Residing in the U.S. may return from Mexico to the U.S. with the following:
• U.S. Resident Alien Registration Card (Green Card), or
• Mexican passport with U.S. entry visa.

Resident Aliens of Mexico may travel between the U.S. and Mexico with the following:
• National passport, including entry visa for the U.S. when required, and Mexican permanent resident visa or evidence of U.S. citizenship.