Actually, this question is for my Dad. We are travelling to New Mexico in a few weeks, and would like to cross the border into Mexico just to look around for an afternoon or so.
My Dad has no passport and never has had one. He has long since lost his birth certificate, and frankly, we don’t wanna go through the hassle of getting a replacement birth certificate and then a passport just for a day trip. So do we need one? I have visions of them letting us into Mexico, then not letting us back out without the passport. :eek:
A driver’s license from any state in the Union should suffice. If you have any doubts just pop into the US border patrol office before crossing into Mexico and have them make a note of your departure from the USA.
It’s the same for Mexico as it is for Canada - you are required to have proof of citizenship, which can take the form of either a passport or a birth certificate + photo ID.
It’s true that the border authorities may never ask to see your proof of citizenship. However, if they do ask and you can’t present it, you could find yourself stuck vacationing in Albuquerque (a fate best avoided at all costs - trust me on this one).
This is true. (I’m assuming you are an American citizen.) The birth certificate is supposed to be “officialized,” meaning it bears the raised seal, but that isn’t often enforced. Also, a driver’s license is not, technically, sufficient proof of citizenship, but they often accept it. (I wouldn’t chance it, though.)
As long as you have proof of citizenship and an “official” picture ID, you’ll be OK.
I’ve made three trips to Canada (beautiful country, BTW). My best friend scared the hell out of me because, as we approached the border, he asked if I’d remembered to bring my birth certificate. Oops. All they asked for though was a picture I.D. I think that most people are assumed not to be crossing with the intent to stay, and I think that they wouldn’t insist on proof-of-citizenship unless they had reasonable cause to believe otherwise. I also think that the border patrol assumes that most people don’t carry such documents as a matter of course.
On the second trip to Canada the guard asked if I had fireamrs (they always asked that) and I said no. He said, “Really? None at all? I thought everybody from Los Angeles carried a gun!” I told him I’d left them at home.
I’d assume Mexico would be similar.
One thing about Mexico: I’ve heard horror stories of people who have had one bullet floating around in their vehicle and they were arrested for “smuggling weapons”. I’ve heard Mexico is not a country whose gaols one would want to spend time in.
Remember, like it or not we are “ambassadors” for our country. Let’s make a good impression.
Crossing an international border can hardly be considered “a matter of course.” You can bet that if a border agent doesn’t ask to see your proof of citizenship, it’s not because s/he thinks you won’t have it.
If you’re a white person with an American accent the border agent will probably assume you’re a U.S. citizen and won’t demand proof of it. Change either of those variables, it might be a different story.
The horror stories about ammo/weapons are true. Here in El Paso, a week doesn’t go by that we don’t hear some sob story about someone locked up in the large prison just south of Juarez for inadvertently winding up in Mexico with a gun (and, yes, even one bullet can cause major legal problems). Inadvertent usually means the people didn’t know they had a gun (I’m a bit skeptical on that one), didn’t realize that the box of rounds in the glove box from last hunting season was still there, or was illegal, or knew they had a gun, but made a wrong turn & ended up in Mexico by mistake.
If you do not look Hispanic, & speak English with no accent, & are going to a popular area of Mexico for tourists, no problemo. Have a US driver’s license, just-in-case. Otherwise, having proof-of-citizenship (birth certificate+ photo ID, passport) is a good idea. I am told for proof-of-citizenship reasons, an expired passport is valid, but I would recommend checking this before counting on it.
Depending on where you are going in New Mexico, you might consider coming to El Paso & going to Juarez - it’s by far the biggest city on the US border anywhere, and has a lot of nice restaurants, bars, & shops. There is a trolley (daytime only) that will let you go to a few designated tourist traps & bring you back across the border with minimum hassle.
Canada -
Dale & I just flew to Toronto for a brief trip; we had gotten bad advice from 2 different sources that all you needed was photo ID. I didn’t really stop us anywhere; it just took us longer & a lot more talking to get through certain checkpoints.
Sue from El Paso
Experience is what you get when you didn’t get what you wanted.
The Canadian border agents’ main concern is trying to catch people smuggling stuff into Canada to beat their high taxes. Cigarettes are a key problem area. Johnny L.A.: Did they ask you if you had any cigs? When we go north of the border, they usually do. And if anyone DOES have some, they want to know how many, and if they’re for your personal use (they’d better be, or don’t plan on leaving that checkpoint anytime soon).
As for Mexico, if you’re hispanic, or could be confused for a hispanic, then make damn sure you can prove your citizenship before heading south.
–It was recently discovered that research causes cancer in rats.
I live in Albuquerque and often go to Juarez, Mexico. I’ve been all over the world, and this border crossing is like no other. If you park on the El Paso side and walk over the bridge, you throw some change in a window and show no identification to anyone. Coming back with my son who is black, I’ve been asked for proof that he’s mine, but other than that - as long as you’re not in a car - it is incredibly hassle-free, in my experience. And what culture shock it can be… like dropping into Calcutta. But if you’re just walking around in the daytime and taking normal precautions, it can be a pleasant experience and the people are friendly. And those fresh corn tortillas… why can’t we get those here??
Jill
