Minors traveling to Mexico with expired passports
Jun 22, 2014, 10:49 am
#1
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Minors traveling to Mexico with expired passports
Posting this for a friend, who is planning on flying from EWR to Mexico tomorrow with her husband and two children, ages six and ten. She realized today that both children's passports are expired.
She spoke with two different UA agents who assured her that all she needs to do is bring their expired passports and birth certificates, but she found conflicting information on another website and is concerned the agents might be incorrect. She can try to get emergency passports, but their flight is tomorrow (Monday) morning, so that would involve rebooking four airline tickets and getting a passport office appointment that day.
If anyone with experience with this can advise, that would be much appreciated.
Thanks!
She spoke with two different UA agents who assured her that all she needs to do is bring their expired passports and birth certificates, but she found conflicting information on another website and is concerned the agents might be incorrect. She can try to get emergency passports, but their flight is tomorrow (Monday) morning, so that would involve rebooking four airline tickets and getting a passport office appointment that day.
If anyone with experience with this can advise, that would be much appreciated.
Thanks!
Jun 22, 2014, 11:54 am
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Here is the State Department page with requirements:
http://mexico.usembassy.gov/eng/eacs_sheet.html
A couple of worries: Even if the kids are allowed to board the plane TO Mexico, it is possible they would be refused entry to Mexico without a valid passport. If allowed in to Mexico, it is possible they might be denied boarding on a plane coming back, as a valid passport is needed for that. Once they present at the border, they will eventually be allowed back into the US, but it might be a bit of a hassle. I wonder if the UA people she talked to were giving outdated information, as the Birth Certificate thing was allowable several years ago.
I think the best thing to do is beg for a postponement from UA, and try to get emergency same day passports for the kids if she is near enough to a passport office to go there in person.
http://mexico.usembassy.gov/eng/eacs_sheet.html
Entry Requirements for Mexico
As of March 1, 2010, all U.S. citizens – including children -- must present a valid passport, book or card, for travel beyond the “border zone” into the interior of Mexico.
Entry to the US by land or sea: Regardless of your final destination in Mexico, all U.S. citizens age 16 or over must present either a U.S. passport book or card to re-enter the U.S. by land or sea. Minors under the age of 16 may enter the U.S. via the land border with a certified birth certificate, consular report of birth abroad, citizenship certificate, or naturalization certificate.
Entry to the US by air: All citizens, regardless of age, entering the U.S. by air must present a U.S. passport book. A passport card is not acceptable for entry to the US by air.
As of March 1, 2010, all U.S. citizens – including children -- must present a valid passport, book or card, for travel beyond the “border zone” into the interior of Mexico.
Entry to the US by land or sea: Regardless of your final destination in Mexico, all U.S. citizens age 16 or over must present either a U.S. passport book or card to re-enter the U.S. by land or sea. Minors under the age of 16 may enter the U.S. via the land border with a certified birth certificate, consular report of birth abroad, citizenship certificate, or naturalization certificate.
Entry to the US by air: All citizens, regardless of age, entering the U.S. by air must present a U.S. passport book. A passport card is not acceptable for entry to the US by air.
I think the best thing to do is beg for a postponement from UA, and try to get emergency same day passports for the kids if she is near enough to a passport office to go there in person.
Last edited by Doc Savage; Jun 22, 2014 at 12:07 pm
Jun 22, 2014, 2:00 pm
#3
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No way would I chance trying. Timatic is pretty clear. The passport must be valid on arrival. There is an exception for minor aliens who are registered in their parents' passports but AFAIK, the US no longer does this as everyone must have their own passport. And regardless, see the 'Warning' - a valid passport is required when departing the USA. I have no doubt the scenario will be as Doc describes above. Delay the trip and get their passports renewed.
National USA (US) /Embarkation USA (US)
Destination Mexico (MX)
Mexico (MX)
Passport required.
- Passport and/or passport replacing documents must be valid
on arrival.
- Warning: if departing from the USA (regardless of any
destination passport exemptions), a valid passport and/or
accepted departure document For details, click here is required by the US immigration authorities.
Passport Exemptions:
- Holders of emergency or temporary passports.
Visa required, except for A max. stay of 180 days:
- for holders of normal, emergency or temporary passports
issued to nationals of USA;
Minors:
- Passport not required for alien minors (up to/incl.17 years
of age) registered in their parent/guardian passport,
provided travelling with the passport holder.
- All minors under 14 years of age, when travelling alone,
should be met by an adult.
Warning:
- Visitors not holding return/onward tickets For details, click here co
uld be refused entry.
National USA (US) /Embarkation USA (US)
Destination Mexico (MX)
Mexico (MX)
Passport required.
- Passport and/or passport replacing documents must be valid
on arrival.
- Warning: if departing from the USA (regardless of any
destination passport exemptions), a valid passport and/or
accepted departure document For details, click here is required by the US immigration authorities.
Passport Exemptions:
- Holders of emergency or temporary passports.
Visa required, except for A max. stay of 180 days:
- for holders of normal, emergency or temporary passports
issued to nationals of USA;
Minors:
- Passport not required for alien minors (up to/incl.17 years
of age) registered in their parent/guardian passport,
provided travelling with the passport holder.
- All minors under 14 years of age, when travelling alone,
should be met by an adult.
Warning:
- Visitors not holding return/onward tickets For details, click here co
uld be refused entry.
Jun 22, 2014, 3:45 pm
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To be clear, the TIMATIC information in in Finface's post above is what the UA agent will see (and to which OP has free access on the *A website).
The kids will be denied boarding at EWR and, if by some bizarre chance, they are allowed to board, will almost certainly be denied entry and returned to the US. While they can't be denied entry to their country of citizenship, it will be long & traumatic process which I would not inflict on anybody in other than genuine life & death emergencies.
I would be in line at the NYC Passport Agency (376 Hudson St) before the office opens at 7:30 AM and beg. Make sure that you have every form you need (including the specialized forms for minors) and proof of same day travel. This may include notarized forms for the kids or both parents' presence. So read the directions carefully and then read them again.
If you can get UA to move this by a day, you may have even better luck.
The kids will be denied boarding at EWR and, if by some bizarre chance, they are allowed to board, will almost certainly be denied entry and returned to the US. While they can't be denied entry to their country of citizenship, it will be long & traumatic process which I would not inflict on anybody in other than genuine life & death emergencies.
I would be in line at the NYC Passport Agency (376 Hudson St) before the office opens at 7:30 AM and beg. Make sure that you have every form you need (including the specialized forms for minors) and proof of same day travel. This may include notarized forms for the kids or both parents' presence. So read the directions carefully and then read them again.
If you can get UA to move this by a day, you may have even better luck.
Last edited by Often1; Jun 22, 2014 at 4:07 pm
Jun 23, 2014, 9:39 am
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Apr 6, 2017, 4:07 am
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Apr 11, 2017, 1:51 pm
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This is specific to the Chicago office, but I assume it is same/similar for other passport offices.
https://travel.state.gov/content/pas...s/Chicago.html
https://travel.state.gov/content/pas...s/Chicago.html
- Proof of international travel is required when applying at this agency. You must provide a hard copy of your itinerary or other proof of international travel.
- Will call service is offered for life or death emergencies and immediate travel abroad (leaving within 8 business days). The agency will advise you when the passport will be ready for pickup at will call based on your documented travel plans.
