# I'm American, do I need a passport to travel to Puerto Vallarta & Mexico City? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 20, 2005, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-american-do-i-need-a-passport-to-travel-to-puerto-vallarta-mexico-city/291052 "2005-02-20T20:04:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2005, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-american-do-i-need-a-passport-to-travel-to-puerto-vallarta-mexico-city/291052/1 "2005-02-20T20:04:36Z")
Question in title. Do I need these things, or will my driver’s license be enough? I ask because you don’t need more than that to travel to the border cities, but one of the hotels I’ve looked at says they require passports. ---
**Author:** ![Ringo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/779978/32.png) [@Ringo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ringo)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2005, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-american-do-i-need-a-passport-to-travel-to-puerto-vallarta-mexico-city/291052/2 "2005-02-20T20:23:53Z")
The following is from [an airline’s website](http://www.alaskaair.com/www2/help/faqs/TravelDocUS_Mex.asp): > [@](#): > > **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. I’m heading down there next week with a state issued birth certificate and my driver’s license. If you find me posting next week, the birth certificate was not enough. ---
**Author:** ![CapnPitt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/edb3f5/32.png) [@CapnPitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CapnPitt)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2005, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-american-do-i-need-a-passport-to-travel-to-puerto-vallarta-mexico-city/291052/3 "2005-02-20T20:32:41Z")
Here’s the State Department’s info on [Mexico](http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_970.html). Scroll down to the section on “Entry Requirements.” It looks like at minimum, you need a _certified_ copy of your birth certificate, if you don’t have a passport. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2005, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-american-do-i-need-a-passport-to-travel-to-puerto-vallarta-mexico-city/291052/4 "2005-02-20T20:33:42Z")
This is from the [State Department](http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/brochures/brochures_1229.html#m): > [@](#): > > MEXICO - \*Proof of citizenship and photo ID. Tourist card is required. Tourist card valid 3 months for single-entry up to 180 days, $20 fee, requires proof of U.S. citizenship, photo ID, and proof of sufficient funds. Visa not required of U.S. citizens for tourist/transit stay of up to 30 days. Obtain tourist cards in advance from Consulate, Tourism Office, and most airlines serving Mexico upon arrival. Departure tax $10 is paid at airport when not included in the cost of the airline ticket. Notarized consent from parent(s) required for children under age 18 traveling alone, with one parent, or in someone else’s custody. So, you need proof of citizenship and photo ID. While this suggests that a passport isn’t mandatory, a passport is generally the best way to combine proof of citizenship and a photo ID in a single, easy-to-carry document. It seems that you also need a tourist card. The [Mexican Embassy](http://portal.sre.gob.mx/was_eng/index.php?option=displaypage&Itemid=54&op=page&SubMenu=) gives similar information: > [@](#): > > The nationalities listed below traveling to Mexico as tourists or on business for short stays, can easily obtain a tourist card (valid for 180 days) or an FMN (for up to 30 days) at the port of entry or directly from the airline. > > Canadian and US citizens must submit proof of citizenship, such as birth certificate, (some airlines will require a birth certificate with a “raised seal” to make sure it is a certified copy), valid passport, naturalization certificate, or voter registration card; as well as a valid picture id card. Business travelers must carry with them a letter from their company stating the purpose of their business visit and who will defray expenses. Although this suggests that, even with a passport, you will need a valid picture ID card. ---
**Author:** ![CapnPitt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/edb3f5/32.png) [@CapnPitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CapnPitt)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2005, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-american-do-i-need-a-passport-to-travel-to-puerto-vallarta-mexico-city/291052/5 "2005-02-20T20:38:46Z")
Well the Mexican government might be happy with the tourist card, I’d be sure to have the certified birth certificate and good photo ID because: > [@](#): > > Driver’s permits, voter registration cards, affidavits and similar documents are not sufficient to prove citizenship for **readmission** into the United States. This is from the same State Department site above. Bolding mine. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2005, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-american-do-i-need-a-passport-to-travel-to-puerto-vallarta-mexico-city/291052/6 "2005-02-20T21:27:26Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > This is from the [State Department](http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/brochures/brochures_1229.html#m):So, you need proof of citizenship and photo ID. While this suggests that a passport isn’t mandatory, a passport is generally the best way to combine proof of citizenship and a photo ID in a single, easy-to-carry document. > > It seems that you also need a tourist card. > > The [Mexican Embassy](http://portal.sre.gob.mx/was_eng/index.php?option=displaypage&Itemid=54&op=page&SubMenu=) gives similar information:Although this suggests that, even with a passport, you will need a valid picture ID card. That’s weird. I would think your passport would serve as a valid picture ID. It doesn’t really get much more official than a passport, does it? When I’ve traveled abroad, a passport was always sufficient. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2005, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-american-do-i-need-a-passport-to-travel-to-puerto-vallarta-mexico-city/291052/7 "2005-02-20T22:12:13Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > That’s weird. I would think your passport would serve as a valid picture ID. It doesn’t really get much more official than a passport, does it? When I’ve traveled abroad, a passport was always sufficient. Yeah, that was my thought too, but i find it’s always best to interpret these type of instructions literally, and to have too many forms of ID rather than too few. ---
**Author:** ![cheddarsnax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@cheddarsnax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cheddarsnax)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2005, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-american-do-i-need-a-passport-to-travel-to-puerto-vallarta-mexico-city/291052/8 "2005-02-20T22:16:29Z")
[hijack] So… what do you do if you don’t have enough ID to get back into the US? Suck it up and live out the rest of your life in Mexico? [/hijack] ---
**Author:** ![Duke\_of\_Rat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Duke\_of\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke_of_Rat)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2005, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-american-do-i-need-a-passport-to-travel-to-puerto-vallarta-mexico-city/291052/9 "2005-02-21T01:20:52Z")
A notarized copy of your birth certificate and drivers license will get you into and out of Mexico. We flew down and the travel papers were provided on the plane, we filled them out and handed them to the customs agent, displayed BC and DL and had no problems. A passport is nice, but if you don’t get the “express” service it can (or used to) take quite a while to process. Not good for those spur of the moment trips to Mexico. ---
**Author:** ![Mississippienne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d2c977/32.png) [@Mississippienne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mississippienne)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2005, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-american-do-i-need-a-passport-to-travel-to-puerto-vallarta-mexico-city/291052/10 "2005-02-21T01:40:10Z")
I got my passport earlier this year, and it took about 2 weeks from the day I walked into the Post Office with my birth certificate, to the day it arrived in the mail. They even returned the copy of the birth certificate. Unless your plane takes off tomorrow, just go ahead and apply for a passport. The application process took 15 minutes and about $50, and it’s good for 10 years. Besides, you might want to visit another country later on that requires passports. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2005, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-american-do-i-need-a-passport-to-travel-to-puerto-vallarta-mexico-city/291052/11 "2005-02-21T03:01:41Z")
I realise this is GQ, and that the question has essentially been answered, but i’m just intrigued as to why people who travel don’t just get a passport. I don’t know about US passports, because i’m not a US citizen, but my Australian passport is valid for ten years. It hardly seems like too much trouble to ensure that it’s renewed on time, leaving no concerns about appropriate forms of ID when the time comes for travelling. Of course, coming from an island nation where it is impossible just to drive across the border to another country, perhaps i have a more heightened sense of the barriers to international travel than the average American who might drive into or out of Canada and Maxico. ---
**Author:** ![Crandolph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7cd45c/32.png) [@Crandolph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crandolph)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2005, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-american-do-i-need-a-passport-to-travel-to-puerto-vallarta-mexico-city/291052/12 "2005-02-21T03:59:54Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > That’s weird. I would think your passport would serve as a valid picture ID. It doesn’t really get much more official than a passport, does it? When I’ve traveled abroad, a passport was always sufficient. Just a passport is in fact fine for flying into Mexico. Or any other country that simply requires a passport and not a pre-arranged visa. I’ve never had anyone ask me for any additional photo ID; even visa applications merely requite additonal passport-sized photos. You necessarily have to obatain the tourist card upon arrival, which is simple and free for Americans. I second the suggestion to simply get the passport if you have time. It’ll work out to something like $6/year for the next decade and hopefully will enable/encourage you to see some other nations as well.