My boys, best friend, and I are leaving for vacation next weekend. Our travels will take us to southern AZ and I was just checking to see if we would be able to cross the border at the Nogales station? After doing some research, it appears that we can cross with a driver's license/state ID. I would just like to go to the shops in Nogales so my boys can see where I went back in the mid-90s when I was in the Air Force.

I have my passport but my boys and my friend do not. Both my boy's passport applications are currently being processed, but they won't be done prior to our vacation.

Does anyone have any first-hand experience or knowledge about being able to cross over to Mexico and come back to the US side with only a license/ID?

So, you don't want to be the only one in the family that caught the clap?

I would check out https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/mexico/
prior to going.

Nope and you may need a valid Covid 19 test.

If you’re driving, pass through Tombstone. I think it will be the Earp Brothers Days. Then hit a little town called Tubac. Cute little town for SW art work. Nogales is just a few miles south of Tubac.

These days, I cant imagine letting your children or your friend, take the risk of going to Mexico and expecting no issues coming back into the US without a passport. Perhaps its' legal to do so with just a Drivers License but why take the risk? If there is some kind of lock-down or other drama at the US Border when you or members of your family want to reenter, you're toast until it gets straightened out. In any case, you cant do it driving back/forth to/from Canada so its hard to imagine Mexico is handled differently.

I've been to Mexico twice and have never had a Passport .

Are your licenses RealID compliant?

In 2019 I went to Nuevo Progreso while in TX twice in the span of about 2 weeks. Both times I didn't have my passport with me and just showed my Montana DL.

quote:

Originally posted by selogic:
I've been to Mexico twice and have never had a Passport .

When was this?

My sister goes every year. Passport and Covid 19 test. I spoke with a Hispanic friend a couple of weeks ago. Full time resident of Laredo. He said he will not chance going to any of the border towns due to cartel activity and crime.

My neighbor is Mexican. I will ask what she needs to go back and forth across the border.

Just swim across the river like the Mexicans do !

Do not cross the border without a passport. Leaving is easy. Re-entry could be *extended*. I would also reconsider Mexico at this time for border crime. I would certainly avoid El Paso and Nogales. When I say "reconsider" it means do not do this, it will be a problem.

You can cross into mexico without
a passport or id.
You will need passport to return.

My grandson went into mexico couple months ago and he had a hard time coming back without a passport.

All he had was driver licence. Border police said passport is mandatory, but they'll let him and his buddy through this time.

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Go where you want do what you want. Don’t take advice from random folks on the internet. Live your best life and post lots of pictures for us.

Call BP directly or check online for a FAQ.

Just talked to my neighbor who said he went to Laredo and entered there. Entry into MX was no id. At re-entry to the US he had to show passport.

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I don't know if the information you have on entering the USA from Mexico by car is accurate. Living in San Diego, I obtained a Passport Card that easily fits in my wallet vs. carrying a US Passport.

It's possible that the DHS website is out of date, but from what I read tonight in the last link ~ A RealID Driver's License is not the same as an Enhanced Driver's License/State ID if only 5 states are approved to issue it. Maybe it's bad information ~ maybe its RealID version 2???

I do not know why DHS which the Border Patrol belongs to is referring to an Enhanced Driver's License instead of calling them RealID Driver's License???

I suggest you ask a Border Patrol Officer before you cross into Mexico to be sure.

Here is what I found with links...

www.DHS.gov/Western-Hemisphere-Travel-Initiative

What types of documents are accepted for entry into the United States via land and sea?
1) U.S. citizens can present a valid: U.S. Passport; Passport Card; Enhanced Driver’s License; Trusted Traveler Program card (NEXUS, SENTRI or FAST); U.S. Military identification card when traveling on official orders; U.S. Merchant Mariner document when traveling in conjunction with official maritime business; or Form I-872 American Indian Card, or (when available) Enhanced Tribal Card.

2) U.S. and Canadian citizen children under the age of 16 (or under 19, if traveling with a school, religious group, or other youth group) need only present a birth certificate or other proof of citizenship. The birth certificate can be original, photocopy, or certified copy.

3) thru 6) removed...

7) U.S. citizens on closed-loop cruises (cruises that begin and end at the same U.S. port) are able to enter the United States with a birth certificate and government-issued photo ID. Please be aware that you may still be required to present a passport to enter the countries your cruise ship is visiting. Check with your cruise line to ensure you have the appropriate documents.


www.DHS.gov/Enhanced-Drivers-Licenses-What-Are-They

What is an enhanced driver's license?
Enhanced Drivers Licenses (EDLs) are state-issued enhanced drivers licenses that provide proof of identity and U.S. citizenship. They are issued in a secure process, and include technology that makes travel easier. EDLs are a low-cost, convenient option for entering the United States from Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean through a land or sea port of entry, in addition to serving as a permit to drive.

DHS has been working with individual states to enhance their drivers licenses and identification documents to comply with travel rules under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), effective June 1, 2009.

EDLs make it easier for U.S. citizens to cross the border into the United States because they include:

A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chip that will signal a secure system to pull up your biographic and biometric data for the CBP officer as you approach the border inspection booth.

A Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) or barcode that the CBP officer can read electronically if RFID isn't available.


How to Apply for an Enhanced Driver's License?
The application for an EDL depends on where you live. It is currently only available to residents of the following states:

Michigan
Minnesota
New York
Vermont
Washington

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Need Passport. Under 16 can cross with US Birth certificate. Just crossed border yesterday. Went to Rocky Point (Puerto Penasco).