Can A Minor Enter The US Without A Passport?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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All children must present a valid U.S. for international air travel. This rule applies regardless of age, including infants and newborns. ... Minors ages 16 to 18 must have a passport, passport card , enhanced driver's license or Nexus card to re-enter the U.S. from Canada by land or sea.

Can you enter the US with a birth certificate?

Citizens aged 16-18 can enter the US with a birth certificate only if traveling by land or sea from contiguous territory with an adult supervised school group, religious group, social, sports, or cultural organization.

Can a child under 16 cross the border without a passport?

Children under sixteen need only present proof of U.S. . ... For entry into the United States via land and sea borders, U.S. citizens must present either a U.S. passport, passport card, NEXUS card, Enhanced Drivers License or other Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)-compliant document.

Who can enter the US without a passport?

Citizens of the United States can travel to any of the fifty states in the U.S. without a passport. People may sometimes be confused by this, because the land mass of the United States is so huge, yet it is all one country.

Can a baby cross the border without a birth certificate?

Answer: U.S. citizen minors need only present their original U.S. birth certificate or other form of citizenship evidence to enter Mexico by land or sea. However, in the event that you need to fly back to the United States (for an emergency or any other reason), your baby will need a valid U.S. passport book.

Can my child travel without passport?

Answer: Every citizen of the United States, independent of age (even newborn infants), is required to have a valid passport when traveling outside the United States . There is an exception for travel on a closed-loop cruise or travel by land to Canada.

Can a US citizen get back into the US without a passport?

American citizens entering the U.S. must show a valid passport, U.S. passport card, a Trusted Traveler Program card (NEXUS, SENTRI, Global Entry or FAST), or an enhanced driver's license. ... A passport is not required .

What documents can I use instead of a passport?

  • U.S. Passport.
  • Passport Card (see below)
  • Enhanced Driver's License (see below)
  • Trusted Traveler Program card (NEXUS, SENTRI or FAST)
  • U.S. Military identification card when traveling on official orders.

Can you travel without a passport in the United States?

In short, you can fly to all 50 U.S. states and territories without a passport . Just make sure to carry either your driver's license or a state-issued ID. To avoid frustrations in the future, ensure your driver's license and other ID are REAL-ID compliant before May 2023.

Can I cross the border with my ID?

Real ID is not needed to create a border -crossing driver's license. An enhanced license for border crossing can be created without buying into the failed Real ID program.

What documents do kids need to fly?

  • Driver's license.
  • Passport.
  • Credit card.
  • School ID.
  • Company ID.
  • Library card.
  • Birth certificate.
  • Social Security card.

Does my 18 month old need a passport?

Every US citizen, regardless of age, must have a passport to travel abroad . Newborn babies, infants, and toddlers all need a passport to leave and enter another country. Just as if an adult was applying for a passport, babies must have Form DS-11 filled out and submitted.

Can a 17 year old apply for a passport?

Minors ages 16-17 with their own identification can apply for a passport by themselves . However, Passport Services does recommend that at least one parent appear in person with the minor to identify him/her and to show parental awareness. ... The latter should be accompanied by a photocopy of that parent's ID.

Can you cross the US Mexico border with a birth certificate?

U.S. citizen children under age 16 arriving by land from Canada or Mexico may present an original or certified copy of his or her birth certificate, Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or Certificate of Citizenship.

What happens if you go to Tijuana without a passport?

Those of you without access to a passport or visa, or if you lose it while in Tijuana, will need a driver's license or another kind of American identification to avoid secondary inspection. ... Such a person might qualify for a border crossing card and must have a US birth certificate.

How long can you stay out of the country as a U.S. citizen?

Remaining outside the United States for more than 12 months may result in a loss of lawful permanent resident status.

Juan Martinez
Author
Juan Martinez
Juan Martinez is a journalism professor and experienced writer. With a passion for communication and education, Juan has taught students from all over the world. He is an expert in language and writing, and has written for various blogs and magazines.