Basics of Crossing Back Into The U.S. - Smart Border Coalition (2024)

FAQs

What documents do I need to come back to the US? ›

Documents You Will Need

All U.S. citizens need U.S. passport books if re-entering by air. Land and sea border crossings accept additional travel documents, such as U.S. Passport cards and Trusted Traveler cards. Child travelers have additional options - see the Traveling with Children section.

In a nutshell, U.S. and Canadian citizens older than 16 years old have to show a passport, passport card or another accepted document to cross back into the U.S. Children under 16 may show an original or copy of their birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, a Naturalization Certificate, a Canadian ...

U.S. citizens must present a valid U.S. passport book or card, and an entry permit issued by Instituto Nacional de Migración. Enter Mexico with valid proof of automobile registration, even if remaining in the border zone.

You must enter and leave the United States on your U.S. passport. You are not allowed to enter on your foreign passport, because U.S. law requires all U.S. citizens to enter and depart the U.S. on a valid U.S. passport. U.S. citizens are not eligible for a U.S. visa.

The Declaration of goods section is where travelers list the items they are bringing into the United States. This includes goods for personal use, gifts, or items intended for someone else. It is important to provide a detailed and accurate description of the goods, including quantity and value.

You will also need a passport or passport card to return to the U.S. unless you have other approved identification such as a trusted travelers program card or enhanced drivers license. Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative has a list of acceptable documents.

U.S. citizens have the right to enter the United States, so if you are a U.S. citizen and the officers' questions become intrusive, you can decline to answer those questions, but you should be aware that doing so may result in delay and/or further inspection.

People who were born in the U.S. likely will have a birth certificate issued by their state government. This will provide sufficient proof of their citizenship. However, they cannot use a birth certificate from a hospital as proof of citizenship.

U.S. citizens may present a valid U.S. passport; Passport Card; enhanced driver's license; Trusted Traveler Program card (SENTRI or Global Entry); U.S. military identification card when traveling on official orders; U.S. Merchant Mariner document when traveling in conjunction with official maritime business; or Form I- ...

What documents do I need to travel to Mexico and back? ›

A valid passport or travel document. There is no need for a minimum period of validity of the passport (for example 6 months); but this document must be valid during the length of your stay in Mexico. Please keep it in a safe place and do not lose it. You will be asked for this document at your departure from Mexico.

Mexican nationals are required to present a valid passport and visa or BCC when traveling to the United States by land. For travel by sea, Mexican nationals will need to present a valid passport and visa or a valid passport and BCC.

Immigration officers can access several different databases to check personal, criminal, and other details about you before you cross the U.S. border. One of the primary databases they use is one the FBI uses, called the National Crime Information Center (NCIC).

You always have the right to remain silent. But if you stay silent and do not answer questions, for example about your immigration or citizenship status, the law enforcement officers will likely refuse to allow you into the U.S. You do not have to show your documents when asked.

Border Patrol may stop vehicles at certain checkpoints to: (1) ask a few, limited questions to verify citizenship of the vehicles' occupants and (2) visually inspect the exterior of a vehicle. Agents may send any vehicle to a secondary inspection area for the same purpose: brief questioning and visual inspection.