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Does anyone have the definitive answer to whether or not you MUST have a passport to go back over the San Ysidro border when visiting Puerto Nuevo or other nearby places. Can any other documentation be us? There is a curmudgeon we met recently who refuses to get one and goes back and forth all the time for his V.A. appts. I'll do some googling, but no doubt someone will know here immediately. Thanks. Zoe

You can still cross with just your drivers license and a copy of your birth certificate.

Originally Posted by BajaGringo

You can still cross with just your drivers license and a copy of your birth certificate.

Thanks. When I googled, it seems they might give you a notice to comply and heartily SUGGEST to get that passport or card, but won't deny entrance.

I actually crossed a few weeks ago without any documents at all. When I was released from the hospital and coming north I didn't have my wallet as it was taken by the same guys that left me for dead. My passport card and drivers license were in the wallet and my passport book is with my attorney in Mexico City. When we got to the line we just gave them my complete name, date of birth and a few other details. After staring at his screen for about a minute the agent simply waved us through...

Truth of the matter is that they can't require a citizen to have a passport when entering his own country. They tried to BS the American public into thinking they could enforce a rule that doesn't exist.
That said....it's best to humor them when crossing. If one sits there and explains their rights to the officer, his day could get real long in secondary, but they still can't deny re-entry to the USA.
It's shameful that they will sit there and snap their fingers and expect everybody to comply with their whims.

You are right Dennis but what are you going to do?

They have all the power (and the gun on their hip) to force you to play the game. I really do support these guys and the work they do but it just seems like so many of them give you attitude, no matter how much you try to comply or how nice you try to be...

Originally Posted by BajaGringo

You are right Dennis but what are you going to do?

They have all the power (and the gun on their hip) to force you to play the game. I really do support these guys and the work they do but it just seems like so many of them give you attitude, no matter how much you try to comply or how nice you try to be...

That's it, Ron. that's why I mentioned it's best to humor them.

Nice to see you back, Amigo. Can't keep a good man down.

Thanks Dennis.

You know what? I even got my wallet back. They tossed it out the window down the road and a neighbor found it. They took the cash out (not that much) but left it with all my ID and credit cards intact.

I was really dreading having to get all new ID...

Originally Posted by BajaGringo

Thanks Dennis.

You know what? I even got my wallet back. They tossed it out the window down the road and a neighbor found it. They took the cash out (not that much) but left it with all my ID and credit cards intact.

I was really dreading having to get all new ID...

THAT was neighborly of them

Whoa!! A glimmer of light out of the darkness! I'm amazed they left your credit cards!!

Great to see you BG making a fast recovery.

Originally Posted by BajaGringo

Thanks Dennis.

You know what? I even got my wallet back. They tossed it out the window down the road and a neighbor found it. They took the cash out (not that much) but left it with all my ID and credit cards intact.

I was really dreading having to get all new ID...

Talk about being off topic!

My friend had her purse stollen from her car at La Fonda. When some locals returned her pruse with ID in tact the following day she was robbed that night while she lay sleeping. She thinks it was the people who returned her purse. Be carefull buddy. (I'm not saying your neighbor is a bad person, but maybe the banditos now know where you live from the contents of your wallet) Be safe.

No worries...

Here's more background on the passport question than anyone could ever want:
Do I need a passport to visit Baja California?

I just came back from a few weeks in San Quintin. All we had were cal driver Licenses.
My wife is a duel citizen they just run us thought the computer and waved us on... Funny thing I have government issued TWIC which was no good, this card entitles me to access these areas to work, but not to cross the which I do at work every night.

My son crossed north a week ago after spending 2 months in Baja Sur... no passport, no FMM, no birth certificate, just his drivers license... He is 23 and did the trip with a friend on the spur of the moment, against my wishes or advice! There was no problem at all for him at the border.