John Lee - 9-23-2004 at 05:26 PM
I've posted this question recently on another Baja forum and I know many read both forum so please excuse the redundancy.
I've been to Rosarito/Ensenada multiple times but am wanting to take my 14 year old son for a few days (2 days) to experience the wonderful food and
culture. Can anyone comment on the rules for bringing a minor into Baja and what do I need to get him back into the states (crossing at TJ). Will a
birth certificate do? I've seen many American teenagers in Baja so I assume it's no big deal.
rephrase. What do I need to get my son back across the border into the US? I have his Birth Cert but he doesn't have a photo ID. He is the spitting
image of me (well when I was that age, at least :-)) and even has my initials (and of course last name).
I'm not too worried about Mexican officials. Many have said that I need the other parent's permission. Why would one even need a Mother's letter of
permission? What if she were no longer living? What if she were back in the hotel? What if the official didn't read English. Would the note still do
me any good? I'm struggling to understand the validity of a mother's note. Don't get me wrong, she'd be happy to write a note, but sheesh, there's too
many "ifs" to make this valid? Many American fathers have custody of their children and wouldn't need a mother's "permission" to do anything (legally)
in the states!
Thanks!
[Edited on 9-24-2004 by John Lee]
David K - 9-23-2004 at 07:53 PM
Hi John, I am a single dad of two and sole guardian. The mother is alive but won't bother to sign a paper and have it notorized. She said "just tell
them I am dead". (the rule is you need a NOTORIZED letter of consent from the missing parent) This is to prove you are not in a custody battle or are
a stanger kidnapping the kid(s). Who checks? Nobody in my years of taking my kids and other parents kids (friends of my kids) into Mexico. I never
have got the red light crossing in with kids, however.
Now, coming north... DO have the kids birth certificates... since 9/11, I have been asked for ID a few times.. the kids have their birth certificates
and U.S. officers do inspect them and may ask the kid a question or two. I am asked to show my drivers license... kids do not yet have photo IDs and I
have not been asked to provide one for them. They are 14 and 15 now...