BajaNomad

Expired Passport Question--Important!!!

cathart - 8-14-2009 at 10:36 PM

My daughter, son-in-law, and grandson are finally coming down to visit this weekend! Unfortunately, my son-in-law forgot to check the expiration date on his passport, and it expires the day before he is returning to the States! I so want them to come! Will he be able to get across the border with a passport that is one day expired?

Diver - 8-14-2009 at 10:40 PM

If they are driving; no problem.

cathart - 8-14-2009 at 10:45 PM

Yes, they are driving! So you are quite sure? I am so glad!

Bajahowodd - 8-14-2009 at 11:18 PM

He'll probably get a short lecture. But, a passport that just expired is way better than none. According to what I've read, many folks who don't even have passports cross the border every day.

monoloco - 8-15-2009 at 12:02 AM

What are they going to do? Make him stay in Mexico?

Mulegena - 8-15-2009 at 12:22 AM

Have a great time! Its wonderful when friends and families come down and get a glimpse of what life is like down here. No worries.

texascarwasher - 8-15-2009 at 04:34 AM

Cathart,

My wife and I were scheduled for a flight to Costa Rica for 1 week and we were denied boarding passes to leave the US because we didn't have 30 days left on our passport from the date of our scheduled return.

When I called the fishing guide I was supposed to go with, he told me that if I came down and my passport was expired I would have to go to the American Consulate in San Jose, CR to get my passport renewed before I would be allowed to leave the country.

I realize that was Costa Rica and you are talking about Mexico. We were flying and they are driving.

But before I relied on speculation from any of us, I would suggest that your son-in-law get official information from INS and from a Mexican Consulate before crossing the border.

I realize that this is not what you wanted to hear, but I assume your son-in-law has a day job. I can't think of anything better than my Grandson being stuck at my place-but Mom & Dad are a week tops.

Billy

HaciendaCerritos - 8-15-2009 at 05:41 AM

My 3 grandchildren, none of which had passports, crossed the border at San Ysidro yesterday with birth certificates only. No hassle, no problem. Mom was driving and the kids have different last names than her.

David K - 8-15-2009 at 05:43 AM

Under 16 are not required to have passports... Where they over 16?

Russ - 8-15-2009 at 05:48 AM

He can always go ask where he'll renew it. Everything's so computerized now it'll probable show up on the screen that it is being renewed.

bajaguy - 8-15-2009 at 05:48 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Under 16 are not required to have passports... Where they over 16?







http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/minors/minors_834.html

Before You Start, Please Note:
Minors under age 16 must apply in person
All children regardless of age, including newborns and infants, must have their own passport

HaciendaCerritos - 8-15-2009 at 05:53 AM

My grandchildren are 2, 4 and 9 yrs old. They did have to go to secondary, but it was because the car was so full of stuff - never even asked about the children (so says my daughter).

David K - 8-15-2009 at 06:22 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajaguy
Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Under 16 are not required to have passports... Where they over 16?







http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/minors/minors_834.html

Before You Start, Please Note:
Minors under age 16 must apply in person
All children regardless of age, including newborns and infants, must have their own passport



BajaGuy, that is for passports in general... Yes, I had one when I was 12 going to Australia. In this thread we are talking about MEXICO travel... here is the requirement off the government webpage http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html :

>>>Effective June 1, 2009, all U.S. citizens are now required to present a passport book, passport card, or WHTI-compliant document when entering the United States.
Please Note: Children under age 16 will be able to continue crossing land and sea borders using only a U.S. birth certificate (or other form of U.S. citizenship such as a naturalization certificate.). The original birth certificate or a copy may be used. See the Department of Homeland Security's Ready, Set.. Go! for more information on the changing travel requirements.

meme - 8-15-2009 at 08:08 AM

A few weeks ago (about 6 weeks) my husband & I got to the East Gate Border crossing only to find out he forgot not only his passport card but the passport also. Duhhh! he only needed one of them!:rolleyes:
I had my passport card to show plus 3 other ID's with his name & picture. We were already in the line so nothing to lose but to go back. The guard looked at them very briefly & said ok go:spingrin:.So we thanked him kindly & went on our way. Bet he(husband) don't do that again!:(
Oh BTW- he had also forgotten Visa shoping cards, plus ATM card!!
Good thing he was not alone!:biggrin::tumble:

Bajame - 8-15-2009 at 08:21 AM

Last year went across the boarder with expired passport, they scanned it and never asked questions. Enjoy your trip!

BornFisher - 8-15-2009 at 08:28 AM

Birth cirtificate and license work perfect, in fact it`s not even an issue.
On the expired passport-- I asked and got a yes and no. One guy said they don`t check the date, the other guy said you need a VALID passport.
But just bring your BC--- NO PROBLEMO!!!!!!!

TMW - 8-15-2009 at 08:39 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by meme
A few weeks ago (about 6 weeks) my husband & I got to the East Gate Border crossing only to find out he forgot not only his passport card but the passport also. Duhhh! he only needed one of them!:rolleyes:
I had my passport card to show plus 3 other ID's with his name & picture. We were already in the line so nothing to lose but to go back. The guard looked at them very briefly & said ok go:spingrin:.So we thanked him kindly & went on our way. Bet he(husband) don't do that again!:(
Oh BTW- he had also forgotten Visa shoping cards, plus ATM card!!
Good thing he was not alone!:biggrin::tumble:


You need to have a long talk with him, before leaving home again.

Santiago - 8-15-2009 at 08:59 AM

Is anyone having problems getting and FMT without the passport now? I'm wondering if Mexico is 'enforcing' the passport requirement on entering Mexico?

Bajahowodd - 8-15-2009 at 12:00 PM

Santiago makes a point that I missed. cathart did not appear to state how long the trip would be or how far down they will be going. I have never been able to obtain FM-T without showing a vaild passport. Trick is if your folks are going to need FM-T, whether the guy issuing them will question the impending expiration of the passport. As stated earlier, you will have no problem crossing back by car. But, it may be problematic if FM-T is needed going down. That being said, I'm not bragging about it, and it is foolhardy because of insurance implications, but I once did actually drive all the way to Cabo and back without a passport or FM-T. Luck of the draw. And I would never do it again.

cathart - 8-15-2009 at 12:21 PM

They will not need an FMT, since they will only be here for the weekend (in La Mision), and my grandson and daughter have valid passports. My son-in-law is 30 years old--old enough to know better, of course, but hopefully, the most he will get is a lecture....