What do I need to cross the Mexican border and back??

A met a girl in my town while she was here visiting her family. she lives in mexico not far across the texas border in juarez -- now she wants me to visit her and meet her in el paso Texas and pick me up and stay a few days with her in mexico --- what will i need to go across the border and back?? will i need Id and passport and all or how does that work??

this is a copy-and-paste of an article posted by sparks_mex in answer to a similar question:


By Michael Martinez
San Jose Mercury News
Published July 23, 2006

If you're thinking about a cruise to Mexico or the Caribbean or a flight to Canada next year, consider this a warning.
If you don't have a passport, get one. And do it soon if you want to beat the year-end crush.
Without a passport, you won't be able to board a cruise ship or plane if you're traveling internationally, even to destinations that haven't required more than a driver's license or birth certificate in the past.
Starting Dec. 31, a passport will be required for travel by sea or air to Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean, Bermuda, and Central and South America. By Dec. 31, 2007, a passport will be needed for all international travel, including land crossings such as the Tijuana border.
U.S. State Department officials say consumers appear savvy about the new requirements, which are part of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative to strengthen border security. So far this year, passport applications have increased 30 percent over the first six months of 2005.
Anyone who doesn't have a passport could be left standing at the cruise dock as their ship sets sail.
"People may think they have their cruise all taken care of," said Bob Sharak, executive vice president of the Cruise Lines International Association, an organization that represents the industry. "But if they don't have a passport, they're not getting on the ship."
If you're planning to travel, you should apply soon. It takes about six weeks to get a passport, although you can expedite the process for $60, plus overnight delivery charges -- but that's in addition to the $97 it costs for the passport.
Here's how to apply:
- Download application form DS-11 from the State Department's Web site: travel.state.gov/passport. Click on "How to get a passport." Forms are also available at local post offices.
- Provide proof of U.S. citizenship such as a birth certificate, naturalization certificate or certificate of citizenship.
- Present proof of identity, such as a current driver's license or government ID, and your Social Security number.
- Provide two color passport photos.
- Pay the fees: $97 for anyone 16 and older, $82 for anyone under 16 (all children, regardless of age, must have passports).
- Take the forms to any passport acceptance facility, such as a local post office or county or municipal office. To find a nearby office, click on www.iafdb.travel.state.gov.
First-time applications must be done in person; renewals can be done by mail.
Remember, some countries won't accept passports that are due to expire within six months of your arrival.
The State Department is expecting a rush of applications later this year, but says agencies should be able to handle the increase.
Copyright 漏 2006, Chicago Tribune

right now you just need your state drivers license. in the near future you will need a passport to cross both the mexican and the canadian borders.

As an USA citizen you not need passport or ID to cross the border, because the TLC, but I suggest you get a passport because it will help you in El Paso.

currently if crossing on foot .......a birth cert , or drivers license will suffice . in the very near future , January 2007 i believe you will be required to have a passport .

when flying , you currently need a birth cert or passport .

best of luck !

passport, you can get one from your local courthouse or postoffice and it costs like somethin in the upper 90 dollars or so. It will get you through the border and back it lasts for about 10 yrs.