Facing the necessity to travel to Mexico for a funeral yet lacking a passport, you may be contemplating your options. Although venturing into another country without a passport can be intricate, it is not an unachievable task. The purpose of this article is to elucidate the steps involved in acquiring an emergency passport, outline the necessary paperwork, and offer alternative solutions should you be unable to secure one promptly.
An emergency passport is a limited-validity passport that you can apply for in urgent situations, such as a death in the family, a medical emergency, or a legal matter. An emergency passport can be issued within 72 hours, or even faster in some cases, depending on the availability of the passport agency and the proof of your emergency.
How to apply for an emergency passport?
– Call the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778 or 1-888-874-7793 (TDD/TTY) to make an appointment at the nearest passport agency. You can also use the [Online Passport Appointment System](https://passportappointment.travel.state.gov/) to schedule your appointment. You will need to provide your name, date of birth, social security number, phone number, email address, and the reason for your emergency travel.
– Gather the required documents for your passport application. You will need to bring:
To start, you will need a completed [Form DS-11](https://eforms.state.gov/Forms/ds11.pdf), Application for a U.S. Passport. Do not sign the form until instructed by the passport agent. Additionally, you must provide proof of identity, such as a driver’s license, a state-issued ID card, a military ID card, or a government employee ID card.
– Proof of U.S. citizenship, such as a previous U.S. passport, a certified birth certificate, a naturalization certificate, or a certificate of citizenship.
You will also need proof of your emergency travel, such as a death certificate, a statement from a mortuary, or a letter from a hospital or a doctor. The applicable fees for your passport service can be paid by credit card, debit card, check, money order, or cash (exact amount only). You will need to pay $110 for the passport book, $30 for the passport card, or $140 for both. You will also need to pay a $60 expedite fee and a $35 execution fee.
– A photocopy of the front and back of your proof of identity.
– One passport photo that meets the [photo requirements](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/photos.html).
Go to the passport agency at your scheduled appointment time. You will need to show your appointment confirmation number, your documents, and your payment. You will also need to sign an oath and swear that your statements are true. The passport agent will review your application and issue your emergency passport. Depending on the urgency of your situation, you may receive your passport the same day, the next day, or within three days.
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If you can’t get an emergency passport in time for your travel, you may have some alternatives, depending on your destination and mode of transportation. For example, if you are traveling to Mexico by land or sea, you may be able to use a [passport card](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/apply-renew-passport/card.html), an [enhanced driver’s license](https://www.dhs.gov/enhanced-drivers-licenses-what-are-they), or a [trusted traveler card](https://www.dhs.gov/trusted-traveler-programs) instead of a passport book. These documents are cheaper and faster to obtain than a passport book, and they are accepted for entry into Mexico by land or sea. However, they are not valid for air travel, so you will need a passport book if you are flying to Mexico.
Another option is to apply for a [humanitarian parole](https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/humanitarian-parole), which is a temporary permission to enter the U.S. for a compelling emergency. You can request a humanitarian parole from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) if you have an urgent humanitarian reason or a significant public benefit to enter the U.S. without a passport or a visa. You will need to submit a [Form I-131](https://www.uscis.gov/i-131), Application for Travel Document, along with supporting evidence of your emergency, such as a death certificate, a letter from a funeral home, or a letter from a hospital or a doctor. You will also need to pay a $575 filing fee and a $85 biometric fee. The processing time for a humanitarian parole can vary from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the urgency of your situation and the discretion of the USCIS.
Setting out for Mexico to attend a funeral sans a passport can induce sensations of anxiety and complexity, yet it is a task that can be accomplished. By exploring options like securing an emergency passport, leveraging substitute identification methods, or requesting humanitarian parole, you may be able to pay your respects at the funeral of a loved one and subsequently return to the United States safely and legally. Importantly, adopting a proactive stance by renewing your passport well before its expiration date is advisable, as it can help alleviate potential time pressures, financial strains, and administrative burdens in the future.
Related posts:
Life-or-Death Emergencies – Travel
COMPLETE guide to emergency funeral passports [2024] – Stilt
Can I fly from the US to Mexico without a passport?
