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Old 12-05-2010, 09:28 AM
 
Location: Austin Texas
434 posts, read 1,309,852 times
Reputation: 159

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Or both for that matter. My mother traveled to Mexico, just outside of Cancun to visit her mother (my grandmother) and family 2 days ago. Grandmother (Abuelita) hasn't been doing so well. I recieved the call everyone dreads about an hour ago. She passed in her sleep last night. She was amazing and lived a long, full life.

The problem is I don't have a passport or visa. I've researched on line a bit this morning but can't find the detailed info I need, funny, when you want to know how to make a pipe bomb or fix your car everything you need to know is at your fingertips on the internet but when you need information like this things seem so vague. Maybe it's just the nature of dealing with a gvmt agency.

Has anyone out there tried to get an emergency passport/visa? If so, what was the process? What was required? How long did it take? Was there a cavity search involved? (i kid about the last question...unless it was required!)
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Old 12-05-2010, 09:56 AM
 
Location: Texas Hill Country
2,392 posts, read 9,653,212 times
Reputation: 806
I got one a few years ago pre 9-11 and all that it means and it took 2 days and I had to show that I had already had a ticket to leave within something like 3 or 4 days. I had to wait in the lines instead of waiting for the mail but it was worth it and I had fun on the trip to Europe, I know you used to be able to pay certain services to do the legwork for you. not sure about that now.
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Old 12-05-2010, 10:19 AM
 
Location: Jollyville, TX
5,867 posts, read 11,928,737 times
Reputation: 10918
I did a quick search for passport expedite services and found this one:

Sameday Passport & Visas Expedite Service, Austin, TX : Reviews and maps - Yahoo! Local

Our company uses one and it costs about $150 but you can get them in 24-48 hours.

As for a Visa, if you are going to stay more than 72 hours, I think you just fill out a form at the border or airport and pay them a fee. But I'm sure you can probably find that info on the Mexican Immigration website. Good luck and sorry about your G-ma.
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Old 12-05-2010, 10:23 AM
 
Location: Austin Texas
434 posts, read 1,309,852 times
Reputation: 159
Awesome, thanks guys!
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Old 12-06-2010, 08:26 AM
 
Location: NW Austin
1,133 posts, read 4,187,221 times
Reputation: 174
I used Passport Xpress and I think all told it was about $300. I had a 2 week turnaround though... not sure how quickly they can do it. Good luck!
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Old 12-06-2010, 09:23 AM
 
Location: Austin, TX
15,269 posts, read 35,642,308 times
Reputation: 8617
Under some situations, I think you can still get into Mexico on a birth certificate and other ID, but you may have to sign some forms and may be subject to extensive questioning while and/or after returning.
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Old 12-06-2010, 02:04 PM
 
Location: Round Rock, Tx
1,073 posts, read 2,095,314 times
Reputation: 857
I encountered the same situation last year. My grandmother passed in Japan, and my passport was current, but my son's passport was expired, and my year and a half old daughter didn't have a passport. We had to have proof of travel - airline ticket or receipt of ticket purchase. We drove to Houston, and we received the passports the same day. There was a wait, but it wasn't as long as I'd anticipated.

I'm sorry for your loss. Nevertheless, I wish you luck. I hope it all works out.
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Old 12-09-2010, 07:13 AM
 
Location: Austin, TX
170 posts, read 827,003 times
Reputation: 261
You're an American citizen? I'm not sure where to direct you for an expedited passport near Austin but as far as travel to Mexico goes, no visa is needed for U.S. citizens. As long as you can get that passport (maybe in Houston like Mrs.JT mentioned?) that should be all you need.
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Old 12-20-2010, 06:02 AM
 
Location: Austin Texas
434 posts, read 1,309,852 times
Reputation: 159
Thanks for all of the help. As mentioned above I had to have proof of travel, problem was I didn't want to purchase a plane ticket unless I was sure I could get the passport in time. Kind of a catch 22. Plus I had to go to Dallas or Houston for the appointment I needed to set up, wasn't able to do that either, but there was the option to use a service that would take care of everything within 48 hrs for $390. Then add in buying a plane ticket for travel within a week and I got priced out...I was there in spirit.

Thanks for the responses and well wishes!
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Old 12-20-2010, 11:17 AM
 
Location: Round Rock, Tx
1,073 posts, read 2,095,314 times
Reputation: 857
Sorry to hear about that. I completely understand. The catch 22 was my dilemma. I took off work, and my son missed a day of school for the appointment. I was worried about all the "what ifs." But we got to Houston bright and early in the am, and we were just fine. We has passports in hand within 3-4 hours after we got to the passport agency. (just FYI for anyone who might find themselves in the same predicament in the future)
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