New Rules for Minors Traveling Alone

by Murry Page on 5 Dec 13
mazmessenger.com 

The tourism secretary has said the current rule is hindering the free flow of minors into México.

In order to facilitate the flow of tourists and increase foreign exchange earnings, the Secretariats of Tourism and Finance announced the elimination of the requirement that minors not accompanied by their parents or guardian must carry with them a notarized statement giving them permission to enter or leave the country.

Claudia Ruiz Massieu, head of the Ministry of Tourism and Aristotle Núñez, the Head of the Tax Administration Service, said the current rule is hindering the free flow of minors into México and that the costs to tourists have transcended the detriment to the national tourism industry.”

Ruiz Massieu said a child or adolescent will no longer be forced to travel with a notarized authorization from a parent or guardian in order for a minor to enter or leave the country. She added that “only the requirement for a notarized statement has been removed.”

Aristotle Núñez also announced the decision of the federal government to increase the amount of goods nationals and foreigners may bring with them when entering the country by sea or air from $300 to $500; and $75 to $300 for those arriving by land.

(El Sol de Mazatlán)

Getting Your Child a Passport

independenttraveler.com

If you're planning a family trip abroad, keep in mind that everyone, including small children and infants, needs a passport for air travel overseas. However, if you're going to be crossing into Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or parts of the Caribbean by land or by sea, children 15 and under may still use a certified copy of their birth certificate in lieu of a passport.

The same goes for children aged 16 - 18 traveling to these destinations under adult supervision with a school, religious, cultural or athletic group. (For adults, passports are required for most land and sea travel overseas. For exceptions, see Passport Information.)

As a parent or legal guardian, you may apply for a passport on your child's behalf, but your child must be with you at the time of application (all first-time passport applicants must apply in person). Passport renewals must also be done in person if your child was under 16 when the passport was first issued.


What to Bring
- Application form DS-11 (do not sign until instructed)

- One 2x2 inch color passport photo of your child, taken in the past six months

- Proof of your child's citizenship, such as a certified birth certificate or previous passport

- Proof of each parent's relationship to the child (if you are the child's parent and your name is on your child's birth certificate, the certified birth certificate will suffice)

- Proof of each parent's identity, such as a passport or valid driver's license, and a photocopy of each of these documents

- Money for the passport application fee ($105)

Who to Bring
As mentioned above, your child must be with you to apply for his or her passport. In addition, both parents must appear with the child at time of application, or one parent may appear with a notarized statement of consent authorizing passport issuance for the child.

If you are a single parent, you may apply alone for the child's passport with proof of sole authority, such as judicial declaration of incompetence of non-applying parent or a death certificate of non-applying parent. For a list of all acceptable documentation, visit the State Department's Web site.

If a third party is applying on behalf of a minor under the age of 16, he or she must submit a notarized written statement or affidavit from both parents or guardians authorizing the third party to apply for the child's passport. When the statement or affidavit is from only one parent/guardian, the third party must also present evidence of sole custody of the authorizing parent/guardian.

If the child is too young to sign his or her passport, the parent or guardian must print the child's name on the passport and sign their own name. In parentheses next to the adult's signature, indicate the relationship to the child.


Where to Go
There are thousands of passport acceptance facilites in the United States. Click here to search by zip code.

Driving in mexico: 7 golden guidelines

esurance.com

As you make your final preparations for your Mexican road trip, brush up on the rules of the road. From strict laws to unspoken (but necessary) customs, these guidelines can help you master driving Mexico.

1. Get your permit (if you're driving outside the Border Zone)

 

The Border Zone, also called the Free Trade Zone, extends 20–30 kilometers south of the border. If you're driving beyond this area, you'll need to obtain a temporary import permit (good for 6 months) from a customs office. To get this permit, you'll need:

• Your drivers license
• Car registration
• Proof of identification (passport or birth certificate)
• A major credit card in your name
• The leasing contract (if you're leasing the car)
• An immigration form (aka "tourist card")

You'll need to post a bond in exchange for the permit. This can be posted using your credit card and will be refunded when you cancel the permit at the border.

Once you have your permit in hand, you're ready to drive through Mexico.

2. Assume nothing

 

As a U.S. driver, you're accustomed to roads packed with signs, strict right-of-way laws, and traffic signals. But traffic regulations aren't always enforced in Mexico, which leads some drivers to ignore them altogether. Don't take another driver's behavior for granted — make sure you're clear before driving through an intersection.

3. Stick to the toll roads (aka cuotas)

 

The U.S. State Department recommends driving on toll roads for increased safety and better road conditions. So if you have a choice between a cuota and a libre (or "free road"), opt for the toll.

 

4. Be aware of different road elements

 

Road conditions in Mexico can be jarring for first-time drivers. Here are some things to look out for:

• Topes. These Mexican speed bumps can sneak up on you. They're not always marked with yellow paint and there may not be warning signs, which can make them nearly invisible to the untrained tourist's eye.

• Potholes. Many Mexican roads aren't government-regulated, and abnormally large potholes have been an issue for years. Some are big enough to fit half a car or trap a small bus.
• Left-hand highway exits. Instead of using exit ramps and overpasses to get to the opposite side of the freeway, Mexico often uses the returno system. These are "pause" areas in which you can safely make your U-turn just past your intended exit.

 

5. Really, truly, seriously avoid drinking and driving

 

Mexico requires all drivers to maintain car insurance, but that coverage can be declared invalid if a driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Avoid the tequila until you can safely hang up your keys.

 

6. Stay alert for thieves

 

If you own multiple cars, drive your least flashy model in Mexico to draw less attention. Keep your car doors locked and your windows up. And if you're driving through dense traffic, make sure you maintain enough distance between vehicles to escape a dangerous situation.

 

7. Drive during daylight

 

Be they carjackers or car-sized potholes you just can't see, driving at night in Mexico can be dangerous. And because of the hairpin turns and narrow shoulders, the State Department cites single-car rollovers as a common occurrence among U.S. motorists in Mexico. Driving in the daylight is easier and safer.

 

In case of trouble …

 

In case you do have an accident or encounter danger on the roads, you can contact Mexico's version of 911 at 066. If you're on a toll road, you can contact the roadside assistance group Green Angels at 078.

How to Drive in Mexico Without Getting Into Trouble

wikihow.com

  Steps

1. 
   1
   If you have an accident without insurance and it is your fault, and there were personal injuries or damage to the roadways, you will go to jail. To avoid delays and legal trouble, you can purchase a day or two of car insurance for less than $20 and let the insurance personnel take care of everything. Just be sure that you understand your coverage when you buy it. If you plan on driving at all in any Latin American country, get insurance in that country first.
2. 
   Mexican drivers (especially in large cities) are more aggressive than the average American driver, and are more active in their habits. Be alert and watch for signs that a driver is trying to change lanes or get around you. Turn signals are rarely used, so be on the lookout. 
3. 
   3
   Pedestrian and bike traffic is common throughout Latin America, and though most people are better at crossing the street than in the United States, hitting a person or a cyclist is still a huge problem.
4. 
   4
   Avoid driving on the highway at night if you have problems on American highways, or on highways in general. There is much commercial traffic along Mexican highways at night, so beware of large trucks as well.
5. 
   5
   Be very careful passing and changing lanes. Be deliberate in what you do, but do not pretend that your turn signal will have any effect on other drivers. Be extra careful when you want to turn left and make sure nobody tries to pass you. If you need to cross the highway and there's traffic, pull over to the right until it's safe to cross.
6. 
   6
   Two lane highways with shoulders are used as four lane highways. Oncoming vehicles will pass and expect you to move onto the shoulder. Vehicles will also pass on the shoulder. It is a matter of expedience, do not drive if you are easily offend.
7. 
   7
   Drive at the speed of traffic, and be prepared to drive faster.
8. 
   8
   Do not turn left onto a street in the middle of a block; the only way out of a parking lot in such a place is to turn right and go around the block.

Tips

• Be very careful when dealing with the Federales (Mexican Federal Police, similar to the State Patrol in the U.S., but with federal jurisdiction, which includes most highways). NEVER attempt to bribe a Federale, save that for the local police if you choose to do it.
• Most truckers on Mexican highways are very courteous when driving. The same is not true of non-truck drivers, especially during school vacations when the highways are chock-full of city dwellers who aren't used to driving on the highways.
• If you do get pulled over, be polite and calm. Under no circumstances try to speak Spanish with the police. With good manners and an apologetic looking face you might get out of the ticket, but if you don't, they are usually fairly cheap.
• You might be tempted to offer a bribe when stopped by the police: don't do it. Only those who really know the nuances and customs of the particular part of the country might get away with it. If, on the other hand, you are unequivocally and explicitly asked for a bribe, it's your call if you give it or want to go through the hassle of going to the police station or having to go recover your license plates by paying a fine.
• On two-lane hightways, you might see the slow truck ahead of you turn on his left turn signal. That is your cue to overtake it: the trucker is telling you that there is no oncoming traffic and that it is safe for you to pass.
• All gas stations in Mexico are government controlled and called Pemex (Petroleos Mexicanos - Mexican Petroleum). The further south you get, the scarcer they get. Avoid morning fill-ups, get your gas last thing at night. They quite often line up, which is a bummer when you want to get going. When driving on highways in the least populous parts of the country, be on the lookout for signs warning of the distance to the next gas station, which might be more than a hundred kilometers (about 60 miles).
• Roads in Mexico are sometimes badly planned and sometimes in horrible shape. Look for skidmarks on the pavement as a clue to a dangerous road.
• It is common in Mexico for the police to remove license plates from vehicles to force the offender to show up to take care of the fine. This usually has the effect of getting motorists to cough up a few pesos, and then the plate is returned. If you are driving your own vehicle in Mexico, you might be tempted to use carriage bolts to attach your plate so you have nothing to worry about, but that is against the law, and it invites being towed and impounded.

Warnings

• Do check that the gas pump is back to zero before the attendant starts pumping gas in your car. A rental car full of foreigners is an easy prey and the gas pump trick is a common little scam.
• Just as in America, this article doesn't mean all Latin American drivers are aggressive. Most have been known to be significantly courteous.

Things You'll Need

• A special Mexican auto insurance policy is needed in Mexico because Mexico practices Napoleonic law and U.S. and Canadian car insurance policies are not valid. Any car accident in Mexico requires immediate compensation to the injured party or the authorities are required to detain the at-fault driver until payment is made. The law is complicated, but generally states that any driver in Mexico must take "financial responsibility" for any damages they may cause to others.
• Banjercito (Military Bank) issues a temporary importation sticker for your windshield, $35 or so. It is suspected that this hologram sticker on the windshield commands great respect from lesser authorities. This is not required if you are just within 50 kilometers (30 miles) of border areas. U.S. and Canadian citizens do not require tourist card if the visit is 72 hours or less and the visit is within the limits of a "border zone" or tourist corridor established by the Mexican government.

What is a tourist card and how do I get one?

By Suzanne Barbezat, About.com Guide

Question: What is a tourist card and how do I get one?

 

Answer: A tourist card, or FMT, is a tourist permit required for travelers to Mexico who will be staying longer than 72 hours, or traveling outside the United States-Mexico border zone. Tourist cards are valid for up to 180 days and allow the holder to remain in Mexico as a tourist but not to perform any type of remunerated work. 

 

Border zone

For travel to Mexico within the United States border zone for up to 72 hours, you do not need a tourist card. The border zone is comprised of an area roughly 20 km into Mexico from the U.S. border and also includes most of Baja California and the Sonora "free zone."

Tourist cards

There is a fee of about $23USD for a tourist card. If you are traveling by air or on a cruise, the fee for your tourist card is included in the cost of your trip, and you will be given the card to fill out. If you are traveling over land you can pick up a tourist card at your point of entry or from a Mexican consulate before your departure. In this case you will need to make the payment for your tourist card at a bank after your arrival in Mexico.

Upon arrival in Mexico you will present the filled-in tourist card to the immigration official who will stamp it and write in the number of days that you are allowed to stay in the country. The maximum is 180 days, or 6 months, but the time actually given is at the discretion of the immigration official (often only 30 to 60 days are granted initially), for longer stays, the tourist card would need to be extended

You should keep your tourist card in a safe place, for example, tucked into the pages of your passport. Upon leaving the country you must surrender your tourist card to immigration officials. If you do not have your tourist card, or if your tourist card is expired, you may be fined.

If you lose your tourist card

If your tourist card is lost or stolen, you will need to pay a fee to get a replacement tourist card at an immigration office, or you may be fined when you're leaving the country.

Extending your tourist card

If you wish to stay in Mexico for longer than the time allotted on your tourist card you will need to extend it. Under no circumstances is a tourist allowed to stay longer than 180 days - if you want to stay longer you will have to leave and re-enter the country, or apply for a different type of visa.

Tipe for navigating airport security

choice1.com

Have you planned a summer vacation? And after you’ve booked your travel and vacation rental, here are some tips that will help reduce your wait time at your airport’s security checkpoint.

Before you get to the airport:

• Do NOT pack or bring prohibited items to the airport. Here’s a link to a complete list of “prohibited items” on the U.S. government’s Transportation Security Administration website (please note that this file is in Adobe PDF format).
• Place valuables such as jewelry, cash, laptop computers, and cash in carry-on baggage only.
• Avoid wearing shoes, clothing, jewelry, and accessories that contain metal. Metal items may set off the alarm on the metal detector.
• Put all undeveloped film and cameras with film in your carry-on baggage. Checked baggage screening equipment will damage undeveloped film.
• If you wish to lock your baggage, use an approved lock. Here’s a link to list of TSA recognized locks.

After you get to the airport:

• Keep available your airline boarding pass and government-issued photo ID for each adult traveler until you exit the security checkpoint.
• Place your cell phone, keys, loose change, money clip, or anything on your person that will set off a metal detector in your carry-on bag.
• Take your laptop and video cameras with cassettes OUT of their cases so they can be x-rayed at the security checkpoint.
• Take OFF your outer coat, jacket, or blazer so it can be x-rayed at the security checkpoint.

Have a great vacation! 

Mexico presides over Convention for Protection of Sea Turtles

geo-mexico.com

 

Mexico is home to six of the world’s seven species of marine turtles, all of which are on the international Red List of endangered or critically endangered species. Participants at last month’s meeting of the Inter-American Convention for the Protection and Conservation of Sea Turtles (IAC), have elected Mexico to preside over the organization for the 2013-2015 period.

Luis Fueyo Mac Donald, the Commissioner of Mexico’s National Protected Natural Areas, says that Mexico will lead the efforts to promote the recovery of sea turtle populations in the Pacific Ocean, a priority because the marine animals are seriously threatened. The intention is to raise public awareness about the turtles’ plight and expand regional cooperation to protect turtle nesting and feeding grounds, as well as migration routes.

Selected marine turtle nesting beaches in Mexico.

The next formal meeting of the IAC members will be held in Mexico in 2015.

In related news, the Central America Fisheries and Aquaculture Organization (Ospesca) has announced that new regulations are now in place to protect sea turtles in Central America and the Dominican Republic. The regulations should greatly reduce the numbers of turtles caught in shrimp nets, which now have to be fitted with Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs). TEDs are metal grids of bars attached to shrimp trawling nets; they have openings designed to allow larger animals, such as sea turtles, to escape, while keeping shrimp inside.

Legalities of getting married in Mexico

mexico.com

Unlike Las Vegas, which has a reputation for fast and easy weddings, couples that want to get married in Mexico have a few legal hoops to jump through -- as well as a short mandatory waiting period. The good news is that the process is relatively easy and civil ceremonies in Mexico are recognized in the U.S. Here are the answers to some commonly asked questions. Be aware that rules vary by state in Mexico, so you should check with your wedding coordinator or a local civil registrations office (Registro Civil) for more information about marriage licenses and wedding ceremonies.

Is there a residency requirement or
waiting period in Mexico?You don't need to be a resident of Mexico to get married there. However, couples do need to arrive and stay in Mexico for three full business days (this excludes Saturdays, Sundays and Mexican holidays) before submitting a marriage license application.

What documents are needed for the marriage license application?

• Original birth certificates with apostille-certified Spanish translations.
• Passports (originals as well as copies).
• Tourist cards (these are issued to you at the airport upon landing).
• The completed marriage license application (this form is available at local civil registrations offices in Mexico).

What if one of you is divorced or widowed?

The laws vary by state in Mexico on when people are allowed to remarry. Most require at least one full year from the date of the final divorce decree. Your divorce decree must be translated to Spanish, certified with an apostille and presented as part of the marriage application. In addition, if either party is widowed, the death certificate of the deceased spouse is needed as part of the documentation requirements. This also must be translated into Spanish and certified with an apostille.

Are blood tests required?

Yes, recent blood tests are required from both the bride and groom. Many resorts have doctors on staff who can do blood tests on the premises. These tests should be done at least three business days before the wedding and the results must be written in Spanish. The cost for this usually ranges from $150 to $300. In some Mexican states, chest X-rays are also required.

What is the cost and processing speed for a marriage license application?

Once you have all of your paperwork together and three business days have passed, you can submit the application at a local civil registrations office. Marriage license fees vary by state in Mexico, but usually range from $25 to $40. The processing time also varies -- anywhere from 30 minutes to a few days -- after which the ceremony can take place.

Do we need to have witnesses at the ceremony?

If neither of you are Mexican, you will need to have at least four witnesses present at the ceremony -- two for the bride and two for the groom. Your witnesses must be at least 18 years old and will be required to submit their passports (originals as well as copies) and tourist cards at least three business days before the ceremony. If you do not have witnesses traveling with you, they can often be provided by your resort.

Are wedding ceremonies performed in English or Spanish?

To be legal, ceremonies must be performed in Spanish, but they can be translated to English by resort staff or someone else who has been designated to do that. Symbolic ceremonies -- such as renewals of vows or commitment ceremonies -- are all performed in English.

Is a Mexican wedding recognized in the U.S.?

Yes, civil ceremonies in Mexico have legal validity in most countries including the U.S. However, religious ceremonies are not legal. Once the civil ceremony has been conducted, couples will need to obtain a certified copy of their marriage certificate (Acta de Matrimonio), which proves they have been wed in accordance with Mexican law. Then, upon return to the U.S., they will need to get that certificate "authenticated." This is done by the Office of Authentications in the State Department. For more information, visit http://www.state.gov/m/a/auth/.

Are there any requirements for a renewal of vows ceremony?

No. Unlike a civil wedding, vow renewals are considered to be "spiritual" ceremonies and are not legally binding. Anyone