Bringing your Children | Estado 29 Orphanage, Baja California

Children are welcome on trips to Estado 29; Baja orphanages are a great introduction to a much bigger and different world than they've known.

Safety:
Children aged about eight and older have the best time with the least worry.
Children younger than eight normally require careful monitoring by their parents during the entire visit. There are no day-care type facilities there and no special oversight is given to small kids. The children who live there have grown up in unsafe environments (by US standards) in unsupervised play and have developed good skills in keeping out of harm.

Documentation for Minors:

Parental permission to travel in Mexico:
From mexico.usembassy.gov/eng/eacs_sheet.html

Unaccompanied Minors Departing Mexico

In order to combat international child abduction or the exploitation of minors, Article 215 of Mexico’s Ley General de Población requires that minor non-Mexican children leaving Mexico must be accompanied by both parents or guardians or be prepared to present written authorization to travel from the absent parent or parents.

This document must include:
the name(s) of the authorizing parent(s),
the name of the child,
the name(s) of the adult(s) accompanying the child, and
the notarized signature(s) of the absent parent(s)

The child must be carrying the original letter – not a faxed or scanned copy – as well as proof of the parent/child relationship (usually a birth certificate) – and an original custody decree, if applicable.

If there is only one custodial parent, the accompanying adult should be prepared to present documentation to that effect (e.g, a court order granting sole custody to one parent, a death certificate for the absent parent, etc.).

From travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_970.html, The US Dept. of State's Country Specific Information on Mexico:

Minors: Mexican law requires that any non-Mexican citizen under the age of 18 departing Mexico must carry notarized written permission from any parent or guardian not traveling with the child to or from Mexico. This permission must include the name of the parent, the name of the child, the name of anyone traveling with the child, and the notarized signature(s) of the absent parent(s). The State Department recommends that the permission should include travel dates, destinations, airlines and a brief summary of the circumstances surrounding the travel. The child must be carrying the original letter – not a facsimile or scanned copy – as well as proof of the parent/child relationship (usually a birth certificate or court document) – and an original custody decree, if applicable. Travelers should contact the Mexican Embassy or closest Mexican Consulate for current information.

Proof of Citizenship (for Minors) to return to the U.S.:

From travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html U.S. Dept. of State's Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative:

CHILDREN: U.S. citizen children under the age of 16 will be able to present the original or copy of their birth certificate, or other proof of U.S. citizenship such as a naturalization certificate or citizenship card.

Groups of U.S. citizen children ages 16 through 18, when traveling with a school or religious group, social organization, or sports team, will be able to enter under adult supervision with originals or copies of their birth certificates or other proof of citizenship. See the Department of Homeland Security's GetYouHome.gov for more information on the changing travel requirements.