Failed driving test; alternatives to driver's license for minor's re-entry to the US?
- By
- Aparna Patel
- |
- 23 Jul, 2023
- |
A US Citizen can never be refused entry. You just have to provide proof that you are a citizen.
Now, here is what the CBP has to say:
Children: U.S. citizen children ages 15 and under arriving by land or
sea from a contiguous territory may present an original or copy of his
or her birth certificate (issued by the Vital Records Department in
the state where he or she was born), a Consular Report of Birth
Abroad, or a Naturalization Certificate. If the child is a newborn
and the actual birth certificate has not arrived from the Vital
Records Department, we will accept a Hospital issued birth
certificate.
A birth certificate is proof of this; however your daughter is above 15 she will need to provide another proof of citizenship; which can include any of the following:
Land or Sea Travel: U.S. citizens entering the United States by land or sea are required to present a valid WHTI-compliant document, which include:
- U.S. Passports
- U.S. Passport Cards
- Enhanced Driver’s Licenses
- Trusted Traveler Cards (Global Entry*, NEXUS, SENTRI, or FAST)
- Military Identification Cards (for members of the U.S. armed forces on official orders)
- U.S. Merchant Mariner Document (for U.S. citizens on official maritime business)
*The Global Entry (GE) card is only an ENTRY document and may not be used to enter Canada, Mexico or Adjacent Island.
This means that unfortunately, your daughter will need an approved form of ID as listed above. She can travel, but she’ll likely be detained at the border; and then eventually released for entry after a review of her details.
There will be a delay, but she won’t be denied entry. She’ll just have to wait as they check out her details.
Most state DMV’s will also issue a non-driver ID version of a license to eligible residents. Check with your local DMV to determine what forms and processing are needed.
If she is a US citizen, and she can satisfactorily prove her US citizenship, she cannot be denied entry to the United States. What kind of documents does she have? expired passport? birth certificate + photo ID? Though why doesn’t she get a passport?
Credit:stackoverflow.com‘