Please
visit the Tijuana
Legal Guide for Tourists for some recommendations
from the City of Tijuana for visitors to Mexico.
To
help us help you while you are abroad, register
with the U.S. Consulate in Tijuana. This makes it easier
for consular officers to reach you in a emergency or to
replace a lost passport. Any information you give us is
completely confidential and will only be released with
your authorization.
|
This
web site provides information to US citizens covered
by the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee
Voting Act (UOCAVA). If you are not a UOCAVA citizen,
and wish to vote absentee as a regular state voter,
please click
here for links to State Election Sites. If you
wish to vote in person, please contact your local
county election official (listed in the Government
Pages of the telephone book).
|
This
Section provides the following
EMERGENCY SERVICES for U.S. Citizens:
Replace
a Passport
In
an emergency, a consular officer can issue a replacement
passport sometimes within 24 hours. The replacement passport,
however, will
limited in duration, and you will have to replace it with
a full validity passport before traveling again. If you
believe your passport has been stolen, first report the
theft to the local police and obtain a copy of that report.
Under routine circumstances, you must be a resident of
Mexico to obtain a passport at the Consulate General Tijuana.
Help
Finding Medical Assistance
If
you get sick, you can contact a consular officer for a
list of local doctors, dentists and medical specialists.
We recommend that you obtain private medical insurance
before you travel to cover the high cost of a medical
evaluation in the event of an emergency.
Help
Getting Funds
Should
you lose all your money and other financial resources,
a consular officer can help you contact your family, bank
or employer to arrange for them to send you funds.
Help
In An Emergency
Your
family may need to reach you in Baja California because
of an emergency at home or because they are worried about
your welfare. In such cases, concerned family members
should call Tijuana Consulate General at 011-52 (664)
622-7400. After hours or on weekends, one can call the
emergency answering service at (619) 692-2154 or as a
last resource the State Department's Citizens Emergency
Center at (202) 647-5225.
Visit
In Jail
If
you are arrested, you should ask the authorities to notify
the Consulate General. Consular officers cannot get you
out of jail. When you are in a foreign country you are
subject to its laws. Consular officers can work to protect
your legitimate interests and ensure that you are not
discriminated against. They can provide you with a list
of local attorneys, visit you, inform you generally about
local laws and contact your family and friends. Consular
officers can transfer money, food and clothing to the
prison authorities from your family or friends. They can
try to get relief if you are held under inhumane or unhealthful
conditions.
Arrangements
After The Death Of An American
When
an American dies abroad, a consular officer notifies the
American's family and informs them about options and costs
for the disposition of the remains. Costs for preparing
and returning a body to the U.S. may be high and must
be paid by the family. Often, local laws and procedures
make returning a body to the U.S. for burial a lengthy
process. A consular officer prepares a Report of Death
based on the local death certificate. This is forwarded
to the next of kin for use in estate and insurance matters.
Help
in a Disaster/Evacuation
If
you are caught up in a natural disaster or civil disturbance,
you should let your relatives know as soon as possible
that you are safe, or contact a consular office who will
pass that message to your family. Be resourceful. U.S.
officials will do everything they can to contact you and
advise you. However, they must give priority to helping
Americans who have been hurt or are in immediate danger.
In a disaster, consular officers face the same constraints
as you: lack of electricity or fuel, interrupted phone
lines, closed airports, etc.
PLEASE
OBSERVE THESE RECOMMENDATIONS |
When
hiring a service or buying any product, verify the
established conditions and require the corresponding
invoice or receipt.
- Don't
drink and drive.
-
Do not bring firearms or narcotics into Baja California.
- Always
use your seatbelt.
- Obey
all road signs and traffic laws.
- Don't
leave valuables visible in your parked car.
- Always
carry a valid I.D.
-
No policeman is authorized to accept money.
- Traffic
fines must be paid at the nearest Police Department
Office.
-
Be careful in the water. There are strong currents
at some beaches. Use life vests and don't eat
or consume alcohol before swimming.
-
When buying medication, be sure there is no restriction
on its purchase.
-
On your trip through Baja California highways,
you will find military check points. They are
for your own safety.
-
It is strongly recommended that during your visit
to Baja California you purchase a full coverage
insurance policy that includes bail. In case you
are involved in an accident, call the insurance
company and wait for its representative.
-
If you visit in Baja California by land for more
than 72 hours, you will have to pay the non- immigrant
fee (DNI) at any bank and present the form at
the National Immigration Institute. The cost is
$170.00 pesos, or its equivalent in U.S. dollars.
The permit is valid for 6 months. If you visit
Baja California by air you will have to pay the
fee each time you enter Mexico. If you are a Mexican
living abroad, you do not have to pay the fee.
-
You do not need to pay any temporary importation
fee for your car while visiting Baja California.
-
Remember that the laws in Baja California and
Mexico are applied both to nationals as well as
foreigners. Do not forget to respect them.
You
can be arrested for:
-
Disturbing the peace or being a public nuisance.
-
Drinking in public.
-
Fighting.
-
Nudity or immoral conduct.
-
Use, production or sale of false documents.
-
Possession, introduction, or use of any weapon.
-
Possession, introduction or consumption of restricted
drugs. (Note: Most drugs that are restricted in
the U.S. are also restricted in Mexico.)
-
Drunk driving or driving under the influence of
drugs.
-
Causing an auto accident or injuring someone.
|