Crossing from the United States to Mexico for a few hours may seem like a simple procedure, especially for those who live near the border. For many residents of Texas, California, Arizona or New Mexico, going to eat, shop or visit relatives on the other side is part of the routine. But a question is increasingly repeated among travelers: can you cross into Mexico without a passport?

The short answer is that to return to the United States, U.S. citizens must present a valid document under federal travel rules. The passport is not the only option in all cases, but a common license or a REAL ID is not enough to re-enter through the land border.

Confusion is common because in daily life the REAL ID is used to board domestic flights within the United States and access certain federal buildings. However, it does not replace a passport or other approved documents for international travel.

What document do you need to return to the United States from Mexico?

Under Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative rules, U.S. citizens entering the United States by land or sea from Mexico must present secure documentation proving identity and citizenship.

Among the accepted documents are:

Is the REAL ID useful to cross the border with Mexico?

No. A REAL ID is not a valid document to re-enter the United States from Mexico. REAL ID is primarily used for domestic flights within the country and for certain federal checks. But the border with Mexico is considered an international trip. Therefore, CBP requires an approved document for that type of entry.

In practice, this means that a person can have a license with the REAL ID star and still not have the correct document to return from Mexico without delays.

You can see: TPS at risk: what can happen in Texas and what beneficiaries should do now

What happens if you cross without a passport or without an approved document?

A US citizen should not be refused entry to their own country just for not having the correct document, as long as they can prove their citizenship and have no other pending legal issues. But that doesn't mean the return will be quick.

CBP may send the traveler for secondary inspection. There agents can check identity, citizenship, background and other data before allowing entry. That can translate into long waits, especially at busy intersections.

Therefore, although some people claim to have returned with a license and a birth certificate, it is not recommended. There may be cases where it works, but it is not the safest or fastest way.

Do children also need a passport?

For minors under 16 years of age there are exceptions in some land or sea crossings. In certain cases, they may present a birth certificate or other proof of citizenship. Even so, authorities recommend reviewing the requirements before traveling, especially if the minor is not traveling with both parents or if the crossing is part of a longer trip.

On international trips, carrying incomplete documentation can cause delays, additional questions or problems upon return.

What does Mexico ask for to enter by land?

Entering Mexico also has its own rules. The National Migration Institute establishes that foreigners who apply for the Multiple Immigration Form by land must have a valid passport or passport card, as appropriate.

The FMM can be valid for a maximum of 180 days and is valid for a single entry. Furthermore, the document does not automatically guarantee entry: the immigration authority retains the power to authorize or deny entry.

For short trips in the border area there may be practical differences, but those who plan to travel beyond the immediate border area, stay several days or travel by car within Mexico should review the requirements before leaving.

If you travel by car, there is another important permit

Drivers who want to take a vehicle registered in the United States beyond the Mexican border area may need a temporary vehicle import permit. It does not always apply for a brief visit to cities near the border, but it may be mandatory if the trip continues into the interior of Mexico.

This is a key point for those who plan to drive to more distant destinations, such as Monterrey, Mexico City, San Miguel de Allende, Guadalajara or tourist areas of the country.

The recommendation to avoid problems

For a quick trip to Mexico from the United States, the safest document remains a valid US passport. If the crossing will be by land, the passport card can also be a practical option, smaller and generally cheaper than the passport book.

The important thing is not to assume that a driver's license, even if it has a REAL ID, is good for everything. At the border, the rules are different.

Before traveling, it is worth checking three things: what document you need to enter Mexico, what document you will be asked to return to the United States and if your plan requires FMM or vehicle permit. That verification can avoid delays, additional inspections and a bad closure for a trip that seemed simple.