BajaNomad

FMM with just birth certificate?

wilderone - 6-10-2021 at 12:59 PM

Do any of you know - from personal, recent experience - if one can get an FMM with a birth certificate (no passport?)
And I would think that one could cross back into US with a birth certificate. (?) Difficult to get passports right now - offices are closed.
Thanks.

AKgringo - 6-10-2021 at 01:21 PM

Box #6 on my FMM calls for a passport number, so I would say no about using a birth certificate.

Yes, you could use one to cross back into the US, I asked them about that before. It probably would slow things down though, and possibly get you sent to secondary to sort it out, but that is just my speculation.

Which office is closed? I got my passport at a post office, but not all post offices are able to process the application.

wilderone - 6-10-2021 at 01:36 PM

Re offices. This is the word (or similar) at all those we checked:

"We have two types of appointments: Life-or-Death Emergency Service and Urgent Travel Service. If you have urgent travel, you can only make an appointment by using our Online Passport Appointment System "

"Passport Acceptance Services is closed until further notice.
Due to the public health measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the U.S. Department of State has extremely limited U.S. passport operations and is only processing applications for life-or-death emergencies"

Doesn't seem reasonable - shouldn't these services be viewed as essential? I know travel was shut down, but doesn't mean people should all be bottle-necked when they finally do open for regular services.

AKgringo - 6-10-2021 at 01:46 PM

Well that is an annoying developement, but thanks for letting me know. Yesterday was my middle son's birthday, and I told him to go get his passport, and it is on me!

From what you posted, it doesn't sound like things will be different in Anchorage.

mtgoat666 - 6-10-2021 at 01:48 PM

You need a passport to get an FMM.
A friend just got a PP renewal in 48 hours, made online appointment and paid expedite fee.
Another friend got her USA citizenship 2 months ago, and applied for PP regular route, and got it in under a month.

JZ - 6-10-2021 at 01:59 PM

Quote: Originally posted by wilderone  
Re offices. This is the word (or similar) at all those we checked:

"We have two types of appointments: Life-or-Death Emergency Service and Urgent Travel Service. If you have urgent travel, you can only make an appointment by using our Online Passport Appointment System "

"Passport Acceptance Services is closed until further notice.
Due to the public health measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the U.S. Department of State has extremely limited U.S. passport operations and is only processing applications for life-or-death emergencies"

Doesn't seem reasonable - shouldn't these services be viewed as essential? I know travel was shut down, but doesn't mean people should all be bottle-necked when they finally do open for regular services.


Where are you seeing it is closed? Looks open to me. Can get it in 3 days with a reason why it needs to be expedited. Otherwise 4-6 weeks.

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-app...




[Edited on 6-10-2021 by JZ]

AKgringo - 6-10-2021 at 02:06 PM

Since my last reply, I called my son in Anchorage and told him there may be a problem. He just called and made an appointment for Monday, so I think your information is bad.

David K - 6-10-2021 at 03:14 PM

Southbound: Cindi, the answer is no, for getting an FMM without a passport.

Northbound: Any American cannot be denied re-entry into his own country. The passport is the preferred document to prove your citizenship, but any other document can be used. However, since you had to have a passport to get into Mexico (legally) then you would already have it to return home!

:light::biggrin:

[Edited on 6-10-2021 by David K]

BajaBlanca - 6-10-2021 at 07:06 PM

My son in Los Angeles just got his passport too.

TMW - 6-10-2021 at 07:08 PM

If you cross into Baja without a passport (not recommended) you can cross back into the US with just a drivers license. I misplaced my passport in Baja and I didn't have any problem coming back.

wilderone - 6-11-2021 at 11:47 AM

I used that site in JZ's message, and it listed some places for routine new passports. Hopefully, back in business. THANKS.

wilderone - 6-11-2021 at 12:04 PM

Went to make an appt. at City Clerk office, and got:

Walk-In Service: Suspended until further notice

Appointment Service: Suspended until further notice

mtgoat666 - 6-11-2021 at 12:53 PM

Quote: Originally posted by wilderone  
Went to make an appt. at City Clerk office, and got:

Walk-In Service: Suspended until further notice

Appointment Service: Suspended until further notice



Why are you going to city clerk?

Here in San Diego, you get fast passports from the state dept passport office downtown on ash street. You make an appointment with them online or by phone.

Or if going slow route, apply at post offices.

BajaMama - 6-12-2021 at 07:33 AM

A passport is required to enter a foreign country. Also required for an FMM in Mexico.

wilderone - 6-12-2021 at 04:46 PM

San Diego State Dept. Passport Office: the only service available is expedited with add'l $60 fee. Must have proof that you're traveling within 3 business days.
Makes no sense.

Post Office

AKgringo - 6-12-2021 at 05:42 PM

I am not familiar with the San Diego area, but a quick search online showed four post offices where you could apply for one. I suggest you go to one and at least get the application. They should be able to direct you to the correct time and place to start the process.

I failed to correctly copy the page I found, but it stated that there were 67 agents in your area that could process the application. It also said to complete the application prior to showing up, but do not sign it until in the presence of the post office agent.

If this is a renewal, you may not need an appointment, at least it worked that way for me in Anchorage five years ago. Be sure to take your old passport with you.

JZ - 6-12-2021 at 05:51 PM

Quote: Originally posted by wilderone  
San Diego State Dept. Passport Office: the only service available is expedited with add'l $60 fee. Must have proof that you're traveling within 3 business days.
Makes no sense.


Call more of them.

4-6 weeks.

mtgoat666 - 6-12-2021 at 06:25 PM

Quote: Originally posted by lencho  
Quote: Originally posted by wilderone  
San Diego State Dept. Passport Office: the only service available is expedited with add'l $60 fee. Must have proof that you're traveling within 3 business days.
Makes no sense.

It might; if they're working at reduced capacity, I can see how they'd put their energy into urgent cases.

But those criteria (payment and imminence) don't seem like a very good filter of "essential travel". :smug:


Expedited PP does cost more. That is the price of not planning ahead.

When I got my kids PP expedited, I just wrote a letter stating planned travel dates. I don’t think they focus too much on your reasons.

Sandlefoot - 6-12-2021 at 06:44 PM

Knowledge is power!! My wife sent her passport off for regular renewal and did not know it was all shut down!!! But it came
in the mail yesterday and the card she ordered was today!! I will question her as to her connections!!! She clearly knows something or some one!!!

willardguy - 6-12-2021 at 06:52 PM

Quote: Originally posted by wilderone  
Do any of you know - from personal, recent experience - if one can get an FMM with a birth certificate (no passport?)
And I would think that one could cross back into US with a birth certificate. (?) Difficult to get passports right now - offices are closed.
Thanks.


yeah not with a birth certificate but its past time for em to accept an enhanced drivers license, there's no difference between that and an accepted passport card....but mexico needs to rethink the whole FMM deal and go back to the come on in free zone. right now on this beautiful day there's thousands of tourists in rosarito, the playa's and Revo all spending like sailors, most these folks have zero idea what the heck is an FMM let alone a passport. not to mention if everyone signed on you'd be backed up to LAX waiting to buy that taco that tourist's find irresistible!:yes:

willardguy - 6-12-2021 at 07:29 PM

Quote: Originally posted by lencho  
Quote: Originally posted by willardguy  
...but mexico needs to rethink the whole FMM deal and go back to the come on in free zone

How far south do you think it should extend?

To me it seems reasonable to include Ensenada. Pushing it all the way to tip isn't as obvious a benefit.

And I believe national sentiment has more influence on these policies than many think.

A lot of Mexicans look seriously askance at the difference in ease of access by foreigners between the two countries. Why is it such a royal pain in the arse for Mexicans of any class to travel to the U.S., and gringos just breeze through going south? :rolleyes:


we spend a crapload of money in this tourist driven economy?