BonzoBaja
Newbie
Posts: 12
Registered: 4-11-2012
Member Is Offline
|
|
Alternative to having a Passport?
Hey guys, I have a couple of relatives and friends who don't go to Baja anymore, simply due to the Passport issue. I'm not defending thier sloth-like
ways, I just want to know if there is an alternative to having a passport. I think I remember someone mentioning that there is a "thing" to get that
allows you to go to Canada/Mexico, is that true? Any information would be appreciated!
|
|
|
bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
Member Is Offline
Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
|
|
US Passport card
http://travel.state.gov/passport/ppt_card/ppt_card_3926.html
|
|
|
DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
|
|
Returning to the states if they're Americans, a birth cert will do. Just tell them to be humble and play ignorant at the border.
If they plan on going south to a point they need a Tourist Permit, they'll have to have a passport to get one.
|
|
|
sancho
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2524
Registered: 10-6-2004
Location: OC So Cal
Member Is Offline
|
|
I have a Passport, but having walked back thru the US
Cistoms Bldg at San Ysidro, there is a sign inside
where you approach the Officer booths, to the left
1-2 lines are Sentri, the middle 10 or are signed
Passport, Passport Card, etc., to the right are 4-5
lines signed Drivers License, Birth Cert, or no Official
ID. So techinally you can come back with nada.
Driving I've heard they may send you to secondary
to confirm your status, and as pointed out to get
an fmm the Passport or Passport Card is needed
[Edited on 5-21-2012 by sancho]
|
|
|
BonzoBaja
Newbie
Posts: 12
Registered: 4-11-2012
Member Is Offline
|
|
I thought there was some "certificate" or something like that that was for Mex/Canada only. Anyone heard of this?
|
|
|
BajaNomad
Super Administrator
Posts: 5014
Registered: 8-1-2002
Location: San Diego, CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: INTP-A
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by BonzoBaja
I thought there was some "certificate" or something like that that was for Mex/Canada only. Anyone heard of this? |
Probably the Passport Card that bajaguy linked to above - for land crossings only.
When I was young, I admired clever people. Now that I am old, I admire kind people.
– Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel
We know we must go back if we live, and we don`t know why.
– John Steinbeck, Log from the Sea of Cortez
https://www.regionalinternet.com
Affordable Domain Name Registration/Management & cPanel Web Hosting - since 1999 |
|
|
BajaNomad
Super Administrator
Posts: 5014
Registered: 8-1-2002
Location: San Diego, CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: INTP-A
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by sancho
Driving I've heard they may send you to secondary
to confirm your status |
My understanding is that this is still rare, as long as you still have birth cert, and government ID.
fwiw
When I was young, I admired clever people. Now that I am old, I admire kind people.
– Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel
We know we must go back if we live, and we don`t know why.
– John Steinbeck, Log from the Sea of Cortez
https://www.regionalinternet.com
Affordable Domain Name Registration/Management & cPanel Web Hosting - since 1999 |
|
|
john/gerda
Newbie
Posts: 22
Registered: 11-2-2011
Location: anaheim, ca
Member Is Offline
|
|
United States citizens crossing back into the United States with out a passport-book or passport-card, is done all the time.
They will most likely check you out more thoroughly than if you had brought your passport with you.
They will ask if you.... do you posses, or have-applied for a passport. If you have not, they will most likely investigate a bit further. This may
still not be a big deal and may only take you a few extra minutes.
You will be warned if you try this again though, they will not be so accommodating. You will be told you may face a fine and a court appearance. I
have heard they will also keep you in a little room for half a day just to Fu** with you.
You try this a third time and you may be turned away and may be required to apply formally for a re-entry.
So yes , you can cross back into the United States with out a passport once, or even twice (maybe), but you can not do it time and time again.
hope this helps, if any other Nomads have more to add or to help clarify this please do so......It's just my opinion based on my experiences.
good luck to you....
|
|
|
David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65410
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by BajaNomad
| Quote: | Originally posted by sancho
Driving I've heard they may send you to secondary
to confirm your status |
My understanding is that this is still rare, as long as you still have birth cert, and government ID.
fwiw |
A family member has not yet had the finances to obtain his passport, but he has frequently crossed the border with his birth cert. and photo ID, and
has never had any problem with U.S. customs.
My wife and I both have passports, and it certainly opens up the world to travel possibilites... but, just so we have accurate information on Nomad,
we have yet to know anyone who was hassled by U.S. officers soley because they lacked a passport or passport card.
|
|
|
![[*]](images/xmbforum/default_icon.gif){kind=icon}
