Is it true that as of january 2006, you must have a passport?

Question

I traveled there last year and was able to use my drivers license and citizenship documents.

Answer 1

New Requirements for Travelers


The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 requires that by January 1, 2008, travelers to and from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Panama, Mexico and Canada have a passport or other secure, accepted document to enter or re-enter the United States. In order to facilitate the implementation of this requirement, the Administration is proposing to complete it in phases following a proposed timeline, which will be published in the Federal Register in the near future.

In the proposed implementation plan, which is subject to a period of initial public comment, the Initiative will be rolled out in phases, providing as much advance notice as possible to the affected public to enable them to meet the terms of the new guidelines. The proposed timeline will be as follows:

January 8, 2007 - Requirement applied to all air and sea travel to or from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.
January 1, 2008 - Requirement extended to all land border crossings as well as air and sea travel.
This is a change from prior travel requirements and will affect all United States citizens entering the United States from countries within the Western Hemisphere who do not currently possess valid passports. This new requirement will also affect certain foreign nationals who currently are not required to present a passport to travel to the United States. Most Canadian citizens, citizens of the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda, and to a lesser degree, Mexican citizens will be affected by the implementation of this requirement.

Answer 2

No, as of January 2007 you will need a passport if you are a US citizen traveling to Mexico (or Canada) by air or sea. Beginning January 2008 you will need a passport even if you are traveling there by land.

Answer 3

Absolutely true. I have been going to Cancun for several years & have always used standard i.d. documentation. Am now applying for my passport, though, because it will be a requirement as of January 2007.

Answer 4

no.if you are canadian or american you just need a birth certificate and picture ID. But hello. Why not just go and get a passport. You are going to need one to get in and out of the USA by jan 2007. It's not that hard to get. Just do it and you wont have any travel problems for the next 5 years

Answer 5

Starts Jan 2007, all you need right now is a birth cert and picture ID.well depends(if you go to costa rica right now you need a passport) but going anywhere you will need a passport in Jan2007 go to your local post office or thru AAA

Answer 6

absolutely, as of January 1 2007 anyone crossing any country borders must have a pass port. BY LAW!!
My bro works for the airlines so he knows whats going on. Its also been on like CNN

Answer 7

Yes. Anyone going out of country should get a passport.

Answer 8

Well, you don't have to have one to present as proof of citizenship if you're in the U.S., but yes, I do believe that you need one to travel anywhere outside of the U.S., including Canada & the Carribean. Yes, in the past you could show your license & birthcert, but that's not the case anymore.

Answer 9

Yes I just took a cruise(bahamas) and only used my license, but at the end of December you will need a passport...ugh one more expense!!!!!

Answer 10

I would laugh in the face of any Mexican official who has the balls to ask an AMERICAN for a PASSPORT!!