Passport Requirements To Mexico

Mexico is among the top tourist destinations among Americans. This is largely due to the United States' proximity to Mexico, but of course it goes deeper than that. Mexico offers Americans the experience of the former's rich culture, great food, and fine beaches. So if you're a fan of the Maya civilization, Mexican food, or Acapulco, then chances are you want to travel there soon. Read this article, and we'll show you what the passport requirements are when traveling to Mexico.

Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative
Because Mexico is a part of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), you can travel to this destination by presenting US documents that are accepted for your visit. Some of the documents you may use include your passport book and passport card. These documents help establish proof of your identity and citizenship.                

By Land, Air Or Sea
Let's tackle the difference between the two types of US passports. When speaking of your passport book, it's the conventional type of passport similar to other passports issued by other countries all over the world. The benefit of having a passport book is that you have greater flexibility when traveling as you can use this to any destination and for every type of travel, from air to land to the sea.                         

Passport Card vs. Passport Book
But there are several advantages when using a passport card. First, of course, is the size. Compared to the passport book, the card is smaller which makes it easy for you to keep. Applying for a passport card is also cheap, which is another point for cards over passport books. However, you can only use the passport card if you're traveling by land or sea to WHTI territories.             

Get Them Both!
You can also apply for both passports and let them complement each other depending on the type of travel you're going to make. Use your card for land or sea travel to WHTI territories, while using your book for air travel. If you can, apply for both passports at the same time to get a huge discount in your application fees.                         

You may notice that the WHTI allows the use of other US documents when traveling to WHTI destinations. These documents may include your birth certificate and your enhanced driver's license. It's best if you consult with the Mexican Embassy first to ensure that you can use these or other types of documents.                         

Requirements For Minors
Keep in mind that there are certain additional passport requirements for minors and businesspeople traveling to Mexico. Minors have to bring a notarized copy of the parental consent. This document should also include the child's travel details including the airlines he/she will be taking, as well as the minor's travel schedule. Filling in Form FM-N is required of businesspeople to authorize them to conduct business in the country. If you have more questions regarding the requirements of the two, check with the Mexican Embassy.

Ole!
If you're still wondering if you need a passport when traveling to Mexico, then the answer's yes. The U.S. passport requirements are either the passport card or the U.S. passport book to enter the country. Just keep in mind that the passport card can only be used for land or sea travel, while you will need a regular passport book for international air travel.