Can you cross border without passport?

All U.S. citizens need U.S. passport books if re-entering by air. Land and sea border crossings accept additional travel documents, such as U.S. Passport cards and Trusted Traveler cards. Child travelers have additional options - see the Traveling with Children section.
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Can you cross the border to us without passport?

In the past, American and Canadian citizens were exempt from the requirement of presenting passports to enter the United States. Effective June 1, 2009, both American and Canadian citizens are required to present a WHTI-compliant document for entry into the United States.
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Can you cross the Mexican border with a birth certificate?

Children: U.S. citizen children ages 15 and under arriving by land or sea from a contiguous territory (Canada or Mexico) may present an original or copy of his or her birth certificate (issued by the Vital Records Department in the state where he or she was born), a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or a Naturalization ...
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What do you need to cross the US border without a passport?

If travelling to the USA by air must have a Canadian passport or a valid NEXUS card. If travelling to the USA by land or sea, in addition to a passport, other proof of citizenship is allowed, such as an original or copy of his or her birth certificate or a Canadian Citizenship Card.
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Can you walk across the US Mexico border without a passport?

All U.S. citizens must present a valid passport when entering Mexico by any means of transportation. There are no exceptions for minors.
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What happens if you cross the border without a passport?



Can I cross the Mexican border with my driver's license?

Valid U.S. Driver's License

If you have a valid driver's license for any U.S. state, you can legally drive across the border to Mexico. Like your passport, your driver's license should be valid for at least another six months, just to be safe so you have no issues crossing the border into Mexicop by car.
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Can I use my driver's license to go to Mexico?

What do I need to travel to Mexico by car? Along with the essential steps facing anyone crossing an international border, here's what you need to drive your car into Mexico as a U.S. citizen, as advised by the U.S. State Department: Your U.S. passport or U.S. passport card. Your state-issued driver's license.
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Can a US citizen be denied entry back into the USA?

The truth is that no one is guaranteed entry into the United States, not even U.S. Citizens. Even if you have the right documents, visa, or legal status, you may still be denied entry to the United States, so it's best to be prepared for the worst.
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Can I use my birth certificate to go to Mexico?

To clarify, U.S. citizens entering Mexico must present proof of citizenship (such as a certified copy of a birth certificate), photo ID and proof of sufficient funds. A passport and visa are not required of U.S. citizens entering Mexico for tourism or for transit for stays of up to 90 days.
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Can I cross the US border with my ID and birth certificate?

You are a U.S. minor citizen:

U.S. citizen children under the age of 16 (or under 19, if traveling with a school, religious, or other youth group) must present a valid passport, birth certificate or other proof of citizenship. The birth certificate can be original, a photocopy, or a certified copy.
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What happens if I go to Tijuana without a passport?

The use of a passport is recommended to go to Tijuana. However, if you do not have a passport and have to travel urgently to the city, customs admit secondary documentation: Valid identification.
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Can I go to Tijuana with just my driver's license?

U.S. citizens must present a valid U.S. passport book or card, in addition to an entry permit (Forma Migratoria Multiple or FMM) issued by Instituto Nacional de Migración (INM). Travelers should be sure to enter Mexico with valid proof of automobile registration, even if remaining in the border zone.
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Can I cross back to the US with my birth certificate?

U.S. citizens under age 16 may present a birth certificate or alternative proof of citizenship when entering by land or sea. All travelers must have a passport book for international air travel.
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Can a U.S. citizen come back from Mexico with a birth certificate?

When U.S. citizen children under the age of 16 arrive by land or sea from Canada or Mexico they may present an original or copy of their birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or a Naturalization Certificate.
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Where can U.S. citizens travel without a passport?

Let's unfold the factual knowledge about where US citizens can travel without a passport or inbound to its federation states.
...
Top 7 Islands - These are Places to Travel Without a Passport
  • US Virgin Islands. ...
  • St. John Island. ...
  • St. Croix Island. ...
  • St. Thomas Island. ...
  • Puerto Rico. ...
  • Guam Island. ...
  • Northern Mariana Islands.
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What documents do U.S. citizens need to reenter the US?

All U.S. citizens, including children, must present a passport or other approved travel document when entering the U.S. by air. U.S. citizens can present a passport, a NEXUS card at airports with a NEXUS kiosk, a U.S. military ID with travel orders, or a U.S. Merchant Mariner Document when on official business.
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Is there an alternative to a passport?

The SENTRI card can be used in place of a passport for travel across any US border by land or sea. Travelers must be pre-approved by Customs and Border Protection and must provide fingerprints and attend a 30 minute interview. The SENTRI card is valid for 5 years.
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Can I be denied entry to the US without a passport?

A United States citizen traveling back to the U.S. by land cannot be denied entry to the U.S. The U.S. will not refuse entry to a U.S. citizen; even one without a passport or other valid travel document.
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Can I cross the US border with a real ID?

No. REAL ID cards cannot be used for border crossings into Canada, Mexico or other international travel.
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Can I use my US ID to go to Mexico?

IDs are acceptable for crossing U.S./Mexico Borders through Land.
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Can you come back from Mexico with a driver's license?

An enhanced driver's license denotes both identity and citizenship and can be used as a cross-border travel document to enter the United States from Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean by land and sea only.
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What ID do I need to cross the Mexican border?

U.S. citizens: All citizens of the United States must present a valid passport when entering Mexican territory by any means of transportation.
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Can I enter to the US only with my birth certificate?

You can re-enter the United States with only a birth certificate and government-issued photo I.D.
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Can you enter the US with a copy of your passport?

You'll need your passport to clear airport security and immigration, sure. But in instances internationally where you're asked to present identification, specifically note whether or not the actual passport is required—in most cases, an international driver's license or copy of your passport will suffice.
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Can you enter the US with a driver's license?

Until full enforcement of REAL ID begins on May 7, 2025, DHS and its component agencies, including TSA at its airport security checkpoints, will continue to accept for identification purposes all state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards issued by compliant states, as well as noncompliant states with a ...
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