Can a US citizen travel in and out of Mexico without a passport?
All citizens of the United States must present a valid passport when entering Mexican territory by any means of transportation. There are no exceptions for minors.
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At a Glance: Yes, you need a passport to go to Cancun, Mexico from the United States. When traveling by air, a valid passport is required, along with a completed Multiple Migratory Form (FMM).
If you're planning on traveling by land or sea, usually a passport card will suffice, though it's recommended to have a book in the event of an emergency flight. For some closed-loop cruises, i.e. originating in and returning to the US on the same trip, a state-issued driver's license can be enough.
Documents You Will NeedAll 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.
Boarding domestic flights is possible if you have a state-issued ID. But can you fly without a passport outside the U.S. and its territories? The answer is no. International air travel standards require all flight passengers to have valid passports regardless of age.
US citizens are not required to have a Mexican visa to enter the country. However, all travelers, including Americans, must have a valid Forma Migratoria Múltiple (FMM), provided they travel for any of the following reasons and do not need to stay for over 6 months: Tourism and leisure.
All foreigners, regardless their nationality, are required to present a valid and not expired passport or travel document when entering Mexico (traveling by air, land or sea). The Mexican government only requires that your passport must be valid during the entirety of your trip.
There are no penalties. The customs officials might be furious but the only thing they can do is confirm you're citizen and let you back in. As for leaving the US, the US doesn't have exit checkpoints so you can leave on any passport.
If your passport's time is almost up, don't wait — start the renewal process now. You can't travel while your renewal application is being processed, and you need to make sure your travel documents are valid for at least six months past the dates of any planned international trips.