Do You Need a Passport to Travel to Mexico?

Planning a trip to Mexico and wondering if a passport is really required? The answer is, yes. You should always travel with a valid passport book (or card), no matter how short your stay or how far into Mexico you are going.

You may hear stories online and on social media about people driving across the border without a passport, or cruise passengers who used only a birth certificate. While those stories might be true, they are risky. Laws have changed, and “getting away with it” is not a smart travel plan.

This article explains entry requirements for Mexico and the U.S. and why a passport booklet is your best option for travel to Mexico.

Two Governments, Two Sets of Rules

Traveling to Mexico involves two different sets of laws: Mexico’s rules for entry, and the U.S. or Canadian rules for letting you back home.

Requirements for Entering Mexico

Passport/Passport Card is Legally Required

Mexico requires all foreigners to have a valid, unexpired passport. This applies whether you arrive by plane, car, or boat.

• By Air: A passport book is required for all air travel to Mexico.

• By Land: A passport book OR card is required for land travel into Mexico. A passport card is ONLY accepted in border areas and not allowed for travel into the mainland (read more below under Passport Card).

• By Sea: According to the INM Immigration website, a passport book is required to enter Mexico by sea.

Exception Closed-Loop Cruises: At a minimum, an official birth certificate and photo ID are required. However, some Mexican ports may not let you off the boat without a passport. And, if you miss the ship or have a medical emergency, getting home without a passport can be expensive and time consuming.

An FMM (Tourist Card) is Legally Required

All visitors must have a tourist permit called an FMM (Forma Migratoria Múltiple). To get this permit, you must have a valid passport or passport card.

Validity:

Unlike some countries, Mexico only requires your passport to be valid for the time you are in the country. It does not strictly require 6 months of extra time (though we still recommend it).

Returning to the U.S. or Canada

• By Air: You must have a passport book to fly back to the U.S. or Canada from any foreign country. A passport card or driver’s license are not acceptable.

• By Land or Sea: You can use a passport book, passport card, enhanced driver’s license, or “Trusted Traveler” card (like SENTRI or NEXUS) to enter the U.S. from Mexico.

• By Closed-Loop Cruise Ship: Official birth certificate and photo ID, or enhanced driver’s license.

Minors: U.S. and Canadian children under the age of 16 can return to the U.S. by land or sea using an original or certified copy of their birth certificate. However, they still need a passport to enter Mexico legally.

All forms of documentation must be originals, not copies.

Passport Book Versus Passport Card

Passport Card

Despite promotion of the passport card by the U.S. Department of State for land and sea travel to Mexico, it is only accepted for land travel in border areas. The Government of Mexico’s official FMM Immigration web page states, “The applicant is aware that the card passport (Tarjeta Pasaporte) can only be used in the border crossings by land and for visiting the border zone; it might not be used to travel to the territory of the Mexican Republic or used for international air trips.” (Click the “+” to the right of the “By Land” tab to view this verbiage.)

Passport Booklet

The passport booklet is accepted for all air, land, and sea travel to Mexico and all returns to the U.S. and Canada, and is therefore your best choice for travel.

Common Myths and Misconceptions

1. Myth: “I don’t need a passport, because I’m just driving across the border for the day.” Fact: Even for a one-hour trip, Mexico requires an FMM permit (though free for stays of 7 days or less), and you need a passport to get one. Without it, you are in the country illegally.

2. Myth: “Closed-loop cruises don’t require passports.” Fact: Many cruises let you board with a birth certificate and ID only. However, if you have a medical emergency and need to fly home, you must have a passport book. Additionally, some Mexican ports may not let you off the boat without a passport. If you miss the ship, getting home without a passport can be difficult, expensive, and time consuming.

3. Myth: “Kids can travel with birth certificates.” Fact: This is only true for U.S. re-entry by land. Mexico requires everyone, including infants, to have a passport or passport card to get an FMM (tourist permit). The FMM fee is waived for children under age two.

4. Myth: “My passport expires in 3 months, so I can’t go.” Fact: Mexico allows entry as long as your passport is valid during your stay. However, some airlines may still deny you boarding if you have less than 6 months until it expires. Check with your airline first.

5. Myth: “I have SENTRI/NEXUS/Global Entry, so I don’t need a passport.” Fact: These cards are great for fast-tracking your return to the U.S., but they do not replace the requirement to carry a passport while inside Mexico.

6. Myth: “You can use a driver’s license.” Fact: A driver’s license is not an entry document. Since 2015, Mexico has required a passport book or card to issue mandatory FMM permits. While some cruise passengers have a small exception (see #2 above), a passport is the only way to guarantee a hassle-free trip.

A Passport Matters on Your “Bad Days”

A passport book is the only guaranteed internationally accepted proof of who you are. Having your passport and travel documents with you guarantees minimal hassle in the event of an unforeseen problem, including:

• Medical Emergencies/Evacuations: If you are hurt and need to be flown home, only a passport book allows you to board the plane.

• Police Checks: If you are in a car accident or stopped by police, you must prove you entered the country legally with your passport and FMM.

• The Unexpected: If your car is stolen or you lose your wallet, your passport is the only internationally guaranteed proof of who you are.

What to Do If Your Passport is Lost or Stolen

If you lose your passport in Mexico, don’t panic, but act fast.

1. Report it: Go to the nearest local police station and get a “denuncia” (police report). You need the police report to get through Mexican Immigration (INM) when you leave the country. Check if the Mexican state allows you to file the denuncia online to save a trip to the station.

2. Contact the Nearest U.S. or Canadian Consulate Immediately to get an Emergency Passport: They do not usually accept walk-ins for this anymore; you must call the emergency line or use their online booking portal. Book the first available spot. If no appointments are visible, check back early in the morning, as new slots often open.

3. Gather Emergency Passport Documents: To make replacement fast, U.S. travelers need to bring these with them to the Consulate:
   • A completed passport application form DS-11
   • A completed Form DS-64
   • Proof of Identity (Driver’s License): A government-issued photo ID (like a valid U.S. driver’s license), if available
   • Proof of Citizenship (birth certificate): If you only have a digital photo or photocopy of your passport, you could be charged a file search fee to verify your identity.
   • The Police Report (original + copy)
   • Passport Photo (2”x2”, purchase at a local “Foto” shop before your appointment)
   • Travel Itinerary or Plane Tickets: The consulate needs to see your flight or travel information to prove the emergency.
4. Pay the Fee: Usually the same as a standard passport (approx. $165 USD for U.S. adults; $75 CAD for adult Canadian citizens).

In general, a limited-validity emergency passport does not mean you must return home immediately. The exception would be if you are traveling to another country that does not accept it.

Once home, you can usually exchange your emergency U.S. passport for a full 10-year book at no extra cost if you do it within a year.

Your Simple Travel Checklist

• Passport Book: The Gold Standard. Required for all air travel and highly recommended for land travel into the interior of Mexico. Ensure 6+ months of validity to avoid airline issues.
• FMM Permit: Get this at the border or airport. Keep it with your passport.
• Emergency Contacts: Save the phone number and address of the nearest consulate in your phone.
• Travel Insurance: Ensure you have Mexico-specific travel and auto insurance (if applicable) that covers your health and vehicle while abroad.
• Copies of your passport and FMM/digital entry (in case your passport is lost or stolen)

The Bottom Line: Don’t rely on luck or old stories. Bring your passport book every time you visit Mexico. It’s the only way to ensure your trip is as stress-free as possible.

Passport FAQs

1. My Passport is Expired; Can I Still Travel to Mexico? An expired passport is not valid identification and can result in you getting turned away at the airport or border.

2. Do You Need a Passport to Come Back to the U.S.? It depends. You must have a passport book to fly back to the U.S. or Canada from any foreign country. You can use a passport book, passport card, enhanced driver’s license, or “Trusted Traveler” card (like SENTRI or NEXUS) to enter the U.S. if traveling by land or sea from Mexico. If traveling on a closed-loop cruise, an official birth certificate and photo ID, or enhanced driver’s license is accepted. U.S. and Canadian children under age 16 can return to the U.S. by land or sea using just an original or certified copy of their birth certificate.

3. How Do I Get a Passport? Apply for a U.S. passport through the U.S. State Department. You must provide proof of citizenship, pay a fee, and obtain passport photos to get one.

4. How Long Does It Take to Get a Passport? It takes 6-8 weeks to receive your passport after sending in your information. If you are traveling sooner you can apply for an expedited passport, which takes only 2-3 weeks. In certain cases you may be able to get it sooner, but you must pick it up in person at the agency.

5. How Much Time Should I Have on My Passport in Mexico? Though Mexico allows entry as long as your passport is valid during your stay, some airlines may deny you boarding if you have less than 6 months before it expires.

If you do happen to be crossing the border by car, another necessity you can’t leave the U.S. without is Mexican auto insurance. This is required by Mexican law, which means obtaining a policy, along with a passport, is a good idea if you want to have a worry-free trip to Mexico!