MEXICO’S ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

 

If you’re a U.S. citizen planning your vacation to Mexico, all you need is to present proof of citizenship documents such a valid U.S. passport, a certified copy of a U.S. birth certificate, a Naturalization Certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or a Certificate of Citizenship. Driver's permits, voter registration cards, affidavits and similar documents are not sufficient to prove citizenship for readmission into the United States.

If you are planning on crossing to the border zone for 72 hours or less, you won’t need a visa or a tourist card. The border zone is an area defined between 12 to 70 miles of the border with the U.S. Once you’re there, if you decide you want to see more of Mexico and stay longer than 72 hours, you can obtain a tourist card (also known as an FM-T) for a small fee, available from Mexican consulates, Mexican border crossing points, Mexican tourism offices, airports within the border zone and most airlines serving Mexico.
 

Traveling with kids? Mexico is the best destination for families and we assure you that you’ll have the time of your life. Mexican law requires that non-Mexican children leaving Mexico must be accompanied by both parents or guardians should be prepared to present written authorization to travel from the absent parent or parents.

 

This document must have:

• the name(s) of the authorizing parent(s),
• the name of the child,
• the name(s) of the adult(s) accompanying the child, and
• the notarized signature(s) of the absent parent(s)

The child must be carrying the original letter – not a faxed or scanned copy – as well as proof of the parent/child relationship (usually a birth certificate) – and an original custody decree, if applicable.

If there is only one custodial parent, the accompanying adult should be prepared to present documentation to that effect (e.g., a court order granting sole custody to one parent, a death certificate for the absent parent, etc.).