California - Mexico Border Crossing with 12 Year Old Son

My wife, our 12 year old son and I are planning to drive from San Diego to Tecate and cross into Mexico. I thought I'd have my son's passport renewed by now, but I just got a letter from Immigration saying they need new pictures. So no passport, and Immigration has the original birth certificate. I do have my son's school ID (with a picture), a copy of his birth certificate from the state, and a copy of his old expired passport.

Does anyone know if we will have problems coming back into the US from a half day trip to Mexico??

In advance, thanks for the advice!

keith

US minors under 14 are not required to have ID right now when crossing back on land into the US from Mexico, so unless something seems wrong to the immigration officer (like your son not appearing to be the offspring of you and your wife for instance) you will have no problems. Bring the school id and birth certificate copy just in case.

Also, you and your wife currently only need to show your state driver licenses (assuming you both are US citizens).

As long as you are in the border zone all you need is ID, otherwise you will also "officially" need a Tourist Card, unless your visit is 72 hours or less. There is an imaginaary line about 20-30km into Mexico that you cannot cross without it, but as long as you stay near the US border you currently need only photo ID and proof of citizenship. That's the official line, however crossing from Tijuana at San Ysidro (San Diego) I have only ever been asked for a driver's license.

From the US State Department (http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/regional/regional_1174.html) web site:

"The Government of Mexico requires that all U.S. citizens present proof of citizenship and photo identification for entry into Mexico."

"Parents of minor children (under 18 years old) should carefully document legal custody prior to traveling to Mexico. If a minor child is traveling with only one parent, the absent parent should provide notarized consent. If only one parent has legal custody, that parent should be prepared to provide such evidence to airlines and Mexican authorities."

I thought in Baja California the "imaginary line" was further south, just beyond the blowhole south of Ensenada.

I thought so too, but the state department says different.