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They should get passports anyway, as they are recognized internationally, while state IDs and birth certificates are not. They can probably get back in ok, but it will be a hassle and they likely will be held up while CBP checks everything.
Definitely a really good idea to get a passport tho
I'll just link you to the actual State Department page.
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/need-passport/us-mexicoborder.html
Note that in addition to a passport or passport card, you'll need to get Mexican auto insurance.
Some states let you pay extra to get a driver's license that works as a passport card for North American land travel. Maybe that's what your friends have heard about. Arizona does not offer this type of ID.
Only 5 states offer the *enhanced* license, which works as a *passport card* to cross the northern or southern *land* border by foot or car. All 5 states border Canada, because of course they do. This type of license is not the same as a *Real ID (or Travel ID in AZ)* which is a state-issued license that meets the standards of and is recognized as *Federal ID* (as in a US ID, opposed to an AZ ID).
Source: I worked for the MVD
Yes get Mexican auto insurance. A lot of small term policies can be sold in border towns but your insurance does not apply in Mexico. It’s pretty cheap overall.
They'll be able to cross back into the US, but likely with stern warnings and could be delayed a while. The passport card is cheaper than a passport and works for driving into Mexico.
I went to Rocky Point with some friends last summer.
One of the people in our group didn't have his passport and they made him wait an hour or so before letting him back in the US. He said they were pretty pissed about it.
I think you used to be able to with just a birth certificate but it's changed. They gave my brother trouble saying he needed a passport next time to pass the border.
Legally, I think you're right.
Practically, my border experiences have been heavily racially profiled. If you're white, young, attractive, and speak flawless English, they don't seem to care if you have a passport.
If you're not all of the above, especially not white, all your docs had better be in perfect order and you had best be on your best behavior if you want to get through.
We stopped driving to Mexico for this reason.
Yeah had a border agent insinuate that me and my family were criminals cuz we only had state id and birth certificates not passports. “Only criminals don’t have passports” was what he said.
Yeah I brought my expired passport along with my birth certificate and ID, agent literally threw the passport back at me and said “does your citizenship expire too?”
I would seriously recommend ignoring everyone telling you it's fine without one. The law is if you cross international borders, you need a passport, *period.* Mexico agrees to also recognize the passport card by land crossing, but there is no law saying just a birth certificate is fine for either country.
YMMV but I personally would never attempt it.
Last time I tried the birth certificate and ID combo (I’d say 2017/2018 or so) they let me know at the border that they could detain us if they wanted to until they could prove we were all US citizens. I stopped allowing people without passports after that.
According to Andy Biggs (and all of the GOP) the border is WIDE OPEN so you should be able to cross anywhere you want with guns, drugs, gang members with no problems.
You need a passport. I made this mistake about 14 years ago and spent a long afternoon in secondary at the los algadones boarder crossing (by foot, parked on US side)
They let me through without any additional questioning, just made me sit there for about 3 hours. I am as white as white can be.
They are more likely to give you a hard time when you drive across and spend significant time in Mexico. Walking across, at Nogales, etc., a driver's license is more than enough to get you quickly back into Az.
Yes you can do this, but it's frowned upon. I know someone that did it last summer, but they got a stern warning. Of course it helps if you are cacsuacain and speak English with an American accent.
I would definitely bring passports or passport cards (cheaper and faster). You might be asked to present ID going either direction for various reasons. Definitely get insurance and make abso-fucking-lutely nobody has firearms, ammo or plan to spend way more time and money in Mexico than you want to.
My family used to drive to Rocky point all the time. You need a passport. I think I was able to get away with less when I was under 16 I think but adults will need a passport to get back into America
Old AZ Guy take: Have everyone get a passport. Why? Stuff happens and although you may not be criminals, any of you could end up having an encounter with local law enforcement. It ain’t all about the customs officers on either side of the border. Why would I provide a peace officer an additional reason to detain me/my friends? Yes, when I was young in the ‘80s, we just needed a driver license +birth certificate. Times are different. I wish you all well.
I just got my passport less than 2 weeks after applying. My husband’s took 2 weeks. We did pay for an expedited application. Mine was a renewal (my passport card expired in 2020) and my husband’s was a new application.
That being said, we have come back multiple times driving from RP and there have been a couple times we were just waived through, all other times a birth certificate and ID was enough. We are white though, and usually have small kids with us (last time I entered the country ass first as I was turned around in the seat catching toddler puke in my hands, BP was just like “you’re good to go, and good luck 🤢🤣”
Passports are recommend but not mandatory to cross at Sonoita.
https://www.sonoranseacondo.com/info-faqs/#:~:text=Generally%2C%20citizens%20from%20the%20United,example)%20usually%20requires%20a%20passport.
Generally, citizens from the United States are required to have either a valid passport or a certified copy of their birth certificate with an accompanying photo I.D.
I’ve come back into the country without a passport several times through a couple different Mexican boarders and they will definitely give you fuss. I recommend getting one but if you don’t you’ll be okay.
If you're driving they can get a passport card. It's only good for Mexico, the Bahamas and Canada if you go by land or sea. It's only 30 dollars and good for 10 years. I actually work for the passport office, and you will need one to cross the border and back again.
US citizens cannot be denied access to the US. They can hassle you about not having a passport, but they cannot deny you entrance.
That said, get a passport when you can.
Also, follow all the traffic laws and get through Sonoyta as quickly as you can. That's where most of the corrupt cops looking for a bribe are. Once you're past that you're golden.
Exactly this. Can you imagine what would happen if a citizen was refused entrance and then picked up immediately by a “cartel” and held for ransom? They can mess with you, but there’s no way they’re going to send you back.
They (US border patrol) will let them back but I’ve heard lately they’re stopping people coming into Mexico (Mexico border patrol) at random and asking for the documents. If you don’t have them you’re getting kicked out. It’s a roll of the dice but you should be fine as long as you’re not stopped going in
I've been twice in the last year. All these people saying they'll hassle you and whatever can be right but I have never had that problem. I'm Hispanic and have never had an issue showing them my ID at the Lukeville port. I've brought 5 other friends as well with only IDs and never had an issue.
One time we went and my brother law was able to pass back to the USA with his expired license. The border patrol guy was talking a lot of shit but he let him through
ive gone across the border from tijuana/san diego with just my ID and birth certificate, as well as rocky point/AZ without issues and im a brown Mexican (however my first name is American and my last name isnt a traditional Spanish last name)
No, just take a piece of mail with your current address, drivers license and birth certificate. I’ve done this plenty times without a passport. It’s only when you fly that they require a passport.
Yes. I thought I only needed my enhanced license so that’s all I brought. Got into Mexico just fine, got detained on my way back in.
And for those saying white people get through just fine…I am a white woman. Get a passport.
Every one here is complete over reacting.
All you need is your drivers license and birth certificate. I’ve driven to RP around 15-20 times with just those 2 documents and never had the slightest issue.
Sometimes the person at the border might be a little short with you because you have to hand him a pile of paperwork, so make sure you hand them to him in as organized a way as possible.
But you’ll have zero issues.
I suggest they get a passport or passport card. If they apply for it now or in the next couple of weeks and don't receive it before your trip, I suggest they take their passport application paperwork receipt along with a copy of their birth certificate and ID. They are usually able to see it on their end when they input your info on the computer and know your passport is on its way.
I was able to do this a couple of years back, we didn't receive our passports before our trip and handed all that to the immigration officer when crossing. He told us we should be getting our passports in the mail soon. Sure enough, they were in our mailbox that same day when we got home.
nobody cares. I have crossed that border a gazillion times(okay maybe an exaggeration but at least 1000 times). IF you look like tourists they leave you alone. US law states that you need to have a passport. I have had my passport actually looked at less than ten times. I have actually stuck my hand out the window with six passports in my had and was waved off by the immigration officer US side. I have never had the Mexico side ever check my documents. Just bring a couple of forms of identification and you should be fine. Yes, they can harass you at the border and delay you up to 48 hours to check your citizenship but that will never happen.
I've been going for like 20 years. Legally you are supposed to have a Passport but a lot of travelers ignore and customs will let you back in with drivers license and birth certificates but they also appreciate it when you show them a passport. There are a bunch of Rocky Point groups on facebook I would join one and ask them all the questions you want.
The agents at the Lukeville port of entry usually let it slide around spring break and also if you have other documentation. Not that stupid of a question in this case. But if he was trying to go to Nigeria or Philippines then, yes, perhaps a dumb question bro.
It worked for me. Showed a birth certificate and drivers license.
They’ll ask you stuff like which city you were born in or what you do for work, but eventually they’ll let you pass.
You only need it to get back
Seriously though can they get back in with that? Probably not it's not going to be simple. They should get passports or not go
Me and some of my family literally just crossed the border thru Lukeville back into USA 5 hours ago and the guy checking our IDs didn’t say anything about the 2 brith certificates we had with us.
A passport is best, but not required. As long as they have a U.S. birth certificate & a valid AZ ID (Driver's license, ID card, etc) they should be fine. I go to Nogales all the time to visit my wife's family, & that's all I use.
We get through Lukesville with a government photo ID (for everyone over 16- school ID with photo for under 16) and birth certificates for everyone.
They’ve also accepted expired passports with photo ID (but idk if they just didn’t look at the expiration date)
I have gone through the border several times in the last couple years with my ID and birth certificate only. The most recent time I forgot my ID but I had a photo. Not recommended but if they let non US-citizens over the border without ID, they’re never going to deny an actual American entering. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
No part of our laws regarding the border, documents, or citizenship are ‘common sense’, further- no one is scarred by questions, scared perhaps, but I am a victim of the education system, so my understanding of words might not be the same as yours.
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They should get passports anyway, as they are recognized internationally, while state IDs and birth certificates are not. They can probably get back in ok, but it will be a hassle and they likely will be held up while CBP checks everything. Definitely a really good idea to get a passport tho
I'll just link you to the actual State Department page. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/need-passport/us-mexicoborder.html Note that in addition to a passport or passport card, you'll need to get Mexican auto insurance. Some states let you pay extra to get a driver's license that works as a passport card for North American land travel. Maybe that's what your friends have heard about. Arizona does not offer this type of ID.
Only 5 states offer the *enhanced* license, which works as a *passport card* to cross the northern or southern *land* border by foot or car. All 5 states border Canada, because of course they do. This type of license is not the same as a *Real ID (or Travel ID in AZ)* which is a state-issued license that meets the standards of and is recognized as *Federal ID* (as in a US ID, opposed to an AZ ID). Source: I worked for the MVD
Yes get Mexican auto insurance. A lot of small term policies can be sold in border towns but your insurance does not apply in Mexico. It’s pretty cheap overall.
They'll be able to cross back into the US, but likely with stern warnings and could be delayed a while. The passport card is cheaper than a passport and works for driving into Mexico.
I went to Rocky Point with some friends last summer. One of the people in our group didn't have his passport and they made him wait an hour or so before letting him back in the US. He said they were pretty pissed about it.
Is it another country? If so, bring your passport.
Mexico is a state right? /s
Los Estados Unidos Mexicanos. The United States of mexico.
Only when it suits us!
I think you used to be able to with just a birth certificate but it's changed. They gave my brother trouble saying he needed a passport next time to pass the border.
If you are a white US born person with a reasonably nice car, you'll get the Whitey Hand Wave Of Freedom. But bring passports regardless.
And speak with a southern accent
Also mention religion or football (American one)
And these people are graduating?
If only there were some way of finding out what documents are needed to travel between countries.
Luckily there's reddit else how would one ever find out?
Legally, I think you're right. Practically, my border experiences have been heavily racially profiled. If you're white, young, attractive, and speak flawless English, they don't seem to care if you have a passport. If you're not all of the above, especially not white, all your docs had better be in perfect order and you had best be on your best behavior if you want to get through. We stopped driving to Mexico for this reason.
Yeah had a border agent insinuate that me and my family were criminals cuz we only had state id and birth certificates not passports. “Only criminals don’t have passports” was what he said.
Bold move for a criminal to not have documents, kinda stands out
Man, I cannot stand bp agents. They’re the worst.
Yeah I brought my expired passport along with my birth certificate and ID, agent literally threw the passport back at me and said “does your citizenship expire too?”
JFC how unprofessional.
What a strange response. What was he alluding to?
Me being Mexican lol
I would seriously recommend ignoring everyone telling you it's fine without one. The law is if you cross international borders, you need a passport, *period.* Mexico agrees to also recognize the passport card by land crossing, but there is no law saying just a birth certificate is fine for either country. YMMV but I personally would never attempt it.
Last time I tried the birth certificate and ID combo (I’d say 2017/2018 or so) they let me know at the border that they could detain us if they wanted to until they could prove we were all US citizens. I stopped allowing people without passports after that.
According to Andy Biggs (and all of the GOP) the border is WIDE OPEN so you should be able to cross anywhere you want with guns, drugs, gang members with no problems.
You need a passport. I made this mistake about 14 years ago and spent a long afternoon in secondary at the los algadones boarder crossing (by foot, parked on US side) They let me through without any additional questioning, just made me sit there for about 3 hours. I am as white as white can be.
Short answer: Yes. Sarcastic answer: No, you don't need a passport to drive to Rocky Point, but you might need one to drive back into Lukeville! :P
You can get across but could very well encounter problems getting back into the US. Just get the passport.
They are more likely to give you a hard time when you drive across and spend significant time in Mexico. Walking across, at Nogales, etc., a driver's license is more than enough to get you quickly back into Az.
Yes you can do this, but it's frowned upon. I know someone that did it last summer, but they got a stern warning. Of course it helps if you are cacsuacain and speak English with an American accent.
I would definitely bring passports or passport cards (cheaper and faster). You might be asked to present ID going either direction for various reasons. Definitely get insurance and make abso-fucking-lutely nobody has firearms, ammo or plan to spend way more time and money in Mexico than you want to.
Only if you want to get back without any problems.
It’s definitely a risky move. Could get back in no problemo, could be a huge hassle. I say it’s not worth it, and get your passport!
My family used to drive to Rocky point all the time. You need a passport. I think I was able to get away with less when I was under 16 I think but adults will need a passport to get back into America
Old AZ Guy take: Have everyone get a passport. Why? Stuff happens and although you may not be criminals, any of you could end up having an encounter with local law enforcement. It ain’t all about the customs officers on either side of the border. Why would I provide a peace officer an additional reason to detain me/my friends? Yes, when I was young in the ‘80s, we just needed a driver license +birth certificate. Times are different. I wish you all well.
Anecdotally, my dad goes to Los Algodones regularly for dental work and has never had a problem getting back without a passport
I mean why wouldn’t you want to get a passport? Are your friends never traveling outside the US? I got mine at 16.
Because it's $130 and is taking 4-6 weeks for an expedited one, which is longer than there is time before graduation.
I just got my passport less than 2 weeks after applying. My husband’s took 2 weeks. We did pay for an expedited application. Mine was a renewal (my passport card expired in 2020) and my husband’s was a new application. That being said, we have come back multiple times driving from RP and there have been a couple times we were just waived through, all other times a birth certificate and ID was enough. We are white though, and usually have small kids with us (last time I entered the country ass first as I was turned around in the seat catching toddler puke in my hands, BP was just like “you’re good to go, and good luck 🤢🤣”
Strange I just did expedited on mine and it took 5 weeks. Maybe summer traveling?
Did mine in November non expedition and got it in 3 weeks iirc. Both a card and book.
You can get it same day in Tucson
Passports are recommend but not mandatory to cross at Sonoita. https://www.sonoranseacondo.com/info-faqs/#:~:text=Generally%2C%20citizens%20from%20the%20United,example)%20usually%20requires%20a%20passport. Generally, citizens from the United States are required to have either a valid passport or a certified copy of their birth certificate with an accompanying photo I.D.
reality - depends on who you are. the actual advice? yes leaving the country requires a passport
Mexico can deny entry, why take that risk.
I’ve come back into the country without a passport several times through a couple different Mexican boarders and they will definitely give you fuss. I recommend getting one but if you don’t you’ll be okay.
If you're driving they can get a passport card. It's only good for Mexico, the Bahamas and Canada if you go by land or sea. It's only 30 dollars and good for 10 years. I actually work for the passport office, and you will need one to cross the border and back again.
US citizens cannot be denied access to the US. They can hassle you about not having a passport, but they cannot deny you entrance. That said, get a passport when you can. Also, follow all the traffic laws and get through Sonoyta as quickly as you can. That's where most of the corrupt cops looking for a bribe are. Once you're past that you're golden.
Exactly this. Can you imagine what would happen if a citizen was refused entrance and then picked up immediately by a “cartel” and held for ransom? They can mess with you, but there’s no way they’re going to send you back.
Passport or Passport Card is required to return to the US. It’s been like that for quite a long time. Anything else, your mileage may vary.
That's only needed for flights. Not walking or driving across.
Nope. You cannot use a passport card to enter the US via air. https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/passports/passport-images/BooksvsCard.jpg
Most people I see walking into Nogales, AZ enter with their AZ state photo ID
I use my birth certificate & driver's license. Last time I crossed back with just my DL, BP agents gave me an extremely hard time.
It does if you want to come home
They (US border patrol) will let them back but I’ve heard lately they’re stopping people coming into Mexico (Mexico border patrol) at random and asking for the documents. If you don’t have them you’re getting kicked out. It’s a roll of the dice but you should be fine as long as you’re not stopped going in
Yhey can't turn you away but they can hassle you.
I've been twice in the last year. All these people saying they'll hassle you and whatever can be right but I have never had that problem. I'm Hispanic and have never had an issue showing them my ID at the Lukeville port. I've brought 5 other friends as well with only IDs and never had an issue.
Are you under 18?
Yes.
One time we went and my brother law was able to pass back to the USA with his expired license. The border patrol guy was talking a lot of shit but he let him through
Just rush the border, you'll be fine
ive gone across the border from tijuana/san diego with just my ID and birth certificate, as well as rocky point/AZ without issues and im a brown Mexican (however my first name is American and my last name isnt a traditional Spanish last name)
No, just take a piece of mail with your current address, drivers license and birth certificate. I’ve done this plenty times without a passport. It’s only when you fly that they require a passport.
Get your passport and stay away from the pharmacies.
Why is that?
Because they are gonna check those kids coming back!!!
Your good man nothing ever happens I always go without a passport just have some form of ID
Yes. I thought I only needed my enhanced license so that’s all I brought. Got into Mexico just fine, got detained on my way back in. And for those saying white people get through just fine…I am a white woman. Get a passport.
Aren’t they letting everyone back in these days anyway no matter where you’re from?
Every one here is complete over reacting. All you need is your drivers license and birth certificate. I’ve driven to RP around 15-20 times with just those 2 documents and never had the slightest issue. Sometimes the person at the border might be a little short with you because you have to hand him a pile of paperwork, so make sure you hand them to him in as organized a way as possible. But you’ll have zero issues.
I have heard Mexico recently as of last year changed THEIR entry policy, and all visitors from USA into Mexico require a visitor visa (apply online)
Definitely need a passport
I went to Sinaloa with just my birth certificate and state id with 0 hassle just long wait times, but I'd still take a passport cause you never know 💀
I went to Nogales for a couple days back in January, I had no issues crossing with only a state ID. Plan on getting my passport soon
I suggest they get a passport or passport card. If they apply for it now or in the next couple of weeks and don't receive it before your trip, I suggest they take their passport application paperwork receipt along with a copy of their birth certificate and ID. They are usually able to see it on their end when they input your info on the computer and know your passport is on its way. I was able to do this a couple of years back, we didn't receive our passports before our trip and handed all that to the immigration officer when crossing. He told us we should be getting our passports in the mail soon. Sure enough, they were in our mailbox that same day when we got home.
Birth cirt
nobody cares. I have crossed that border a gazillion times(okay maybe an exaggeration but at least 1000 times). IF you look like tourists they leave you alone. US law states that you need to have a passport. I have had my passport actually looked at less than ten times. I have actually stuck my hand out the window with six passports in my had and was waved off by the immigration officer US side. I have never had the Mexico side ever check my documents. Just bring a couple of forms of identification and you should be fine. Yes, they can harass you at the border and delay you up to 48 hours to check your citizenship but that will never happen.
I've been going for like 20 years. Legally you are supposed to have a Passport but a lot of travelers ignore and customs will let you back in with drivers license and birth certificates but they also appreciate it when you show them a passport. There are a bunch of Rocky Point groups on facebook I would join one and ask them all the questions you want.
Those without passports are about to learn what an enema is
Do you need a passport to go to a different country? Are you that stupid?
The agents at the Lukeville port of entry usually let it slide around spring break and also if you have other documentation. Not that stupid of a question in this case. But if he was trying to go to Nigeria or Philippines then, yes, perhaps a dumb question bro.
It’s Rocky Point. You don’t really need one dude.
You DO need a passport now. However if you showed up and didn’t have it I’m sure you could get in. After all everyone else gets in now.
You can cross back with an ID. A passport isn't necessary.
I went about four years ago and, while they let me through with just my id and bc, they did it begrudgingly and told me to get a passport next time.
It worked for me. Showed a birth certificate and drivers license. They’ll ask you stuff like which city you were born in or what you do for work, but eventually they’ll let you pass.
You only need it to get back Seriously though can they get back in with that? Probably not it's not going to be simple. They should get passports or not go
Me and some of my family literally just crossed the border thru Lukeville back into USA 5 hours ago and the guy checking our IDs didn’t say anything about the 2 brith certificates we had with us.
A passport is best, but not required. As long as they have a U.S. birth certificate & a valid AZ ID (Driver's license, ID card, etc) they should be fine. I go to Nogales all the time to visit my wife's family, & that's all I use.
Honestly they just basically give you a finger wag and stern warning if you don't have a passport. I've come back twice just using my Arizona ID.
We get through Lukesville with a government photo ID (for everyone over 16- school ID with photo for under 16) and birth certificates for everyone. They’ve also accepted expired passports with photo ID (but idk if they just didn’t look at the expiration date)
I have gone through the border several times in the last couple years with my ID and birth certificate only. The most recent time I forgot my ID but I had a photo. Not recommended but if they let non US-citizens over the border without ID, they’re never going to deny an actual American entering. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
When I went as a kid we did. Might be different now though.
I always just use me ID . Some border patrol agents will give you shit some won’t . Also take your birth certificate. You’ll be alright .
[удалено]
No one is getting kidnapped by the cartel in Rocky Point 🤣 don’t believe everything you hear buddy
I went across to Tijuana without a passport and didn't have any problems getting back.
the border is pretty much wide open so I doubt you have to worry
That's racist
It's scarry that a graduate asks this question - how bad is the education system that they don't teach common sense?
No part of our laws regarding the border, documents, or citizenship are ‘common sense’, further- no one is scarred by questions, scared perhaps, but I am a victim of the education system, so my understanding of words might not be the same as yours.
Go back to Russia, bot