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Running for the border...without a passport

McMonkey BurgerMcMonkey Burger Registered User regular
in Help / Advice Forum
Long story short: My wife's grandmother is dying and funeral arrangements are being made in Tijuana, which means we'll have to cross the US-Mexico border (driving). The problem is that my passport expired recently and I know I won't have time to renew it before we have to go, possibly by the end of this week. I know there really isn't a problem going into Mexico, but I know it can be a pain coming back into the US (done it a few times, but I had my passport then).

So what do I do? I have a valid state driver's license (no Real ID; couldn't get it at the time I renewed it) and I think I have my birth certificate readily available, but I'll have to check on that. I'm getting some conflicting info in my online searches. One source said that I can simply stop in the border office on the way into Mexico and tell them I need an emergency authorization so I can come back easily, but I don't know if this is true since I can't verify it with other sources. Or am I worrying too much and they'll just let me through with a valid driver's license?

Posts

  • Local H JayLocal H Jay Registered User regular
    If you're gonna go for it, bring as many documents as possible. All photo IDs, bank statements, bills in your name to your address, anything you can think of. Because they'll probably give you a hard time but if you overwhelm them with a ton of backup documents they'll have a hard time saying no I think. Still might not be a fun experience.

  • SoggybiscuitSoggybiscuit Tandem Electrostatic Accelerator Registered User regular
    https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/get-fast.html

    How fast do you need it? They say 72 hours, but I bet you’ll get it faster.

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  • JasconiusJasconius sword criminal mad onlineRegistered User regular
    you can attempt to make contact with the state department or the american embassy in mexico for a special dispensation for medical emergency, but even if you get that chances are it will be a pain in the ass no matter what you do

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  • zepherinzepherin Russian warship, go fuck yourself Registered User regular
    edited March 2023
    Professionally I used an expediter
    https://www.travisa.com/

    My subordinate had his paperwork done on May 20th and had the passport in his hand June 2nd.

    It cost 599 plus passport costs. There is a way to do it even faster but it’s more expensive.

    You can also drive to a passport office. There are a lot of offices east coast and west coast and the south. But you gotta make an appointment and bring your stuff.

    I wouldn’t advise crossing the border sans passport.

    zepherin on
  • BurtletoyBurtletoy Registered User regular
    Local H Jay wrote: »
    If you're gonna go for it, bring as many documents as possible. All photo IDs, bank statements, bills in your name to your address, anything you can think of. Because they'll probably give you a hard time but if you overwhelm them with a ton of backup documents they'll have a hard time saying no I think. Still might not be a fun experience.

    Also, even though your passport is expired, bring it, as well.

  • MichaelLCMichaelLC In what furnace was thy brain? ChicagoRegistered User regular
    edited March 2023
    The answer is talk to a passport official and check out those links since they'll know best, but be sure to ask about a passport card vs a passport book. Card is for Canada and Mexico only.

    Good luck!

    MichaelLC on
  • see317see317 Registered User regular
    zepherin wrote: »
    I wouldn’t advise crossing the border sans passport.

    This. Really this.
    Because I don't think anyone wants to see you posting in a month "Stuck in Mexico with no passport..."

  • zepherinzepherin Russian warship, go fuck yourself Registered User regular
    see317 wrote: »
    zepherin wrote: »
    I wouldn’t advise crossing the border sans passport.

    This. Really this.
    Because I don't think anyone wants to see you posting in a month "Stuck in Mexico with no passport..."
    Or I got held up for 6 hours at the border and turned around after being in line for 2 hours and the border patrol were assholes, do I have any recourse?

  • HevachHevach Registered User regular
    While "don't try without getting paperwork in order first" would be my advice in the best of situations, this one has a lot of unknowns that could make it way worse than the best of situations.

    If OP happens to have a Spanish surname or isn't white as the driven snow, even having a valid passport and way more documentation than anyone would reasonably carry hasn't been enough to keep US citizens from being stuck on the wrong wide of that border fighting with the bureaucratic inertia of the nearest consulate to come home.

  • MichaelLCMichaelLC In what furnace was thy brain? ChicagoRegistered User regular
    @McMonkey Burger How did it go? Were you able to make it?

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