Border Crossings in CA without a title
 

Hey guys, looking for a little input if you can help.

We are halfway through our trip for Canada to Panama and during the cross into Guatemala yesterday at Citudad Hidalgo, Mex we had some issues with paperwork.

Being from Canada I dont get a "title" per say like Americans woul, all I get from the government is a registration for the bike, this wasnt good enough for the customs guy on the Guat side and we had to go to a Notery to get an affidavit sworn about ownership of the motorcycle...

Also my friend Rob, an American is only carying a copy of his title, after being told he only needed his registration with him. Same problem, another $300Q fee to the notery...

We now have the original notery letters with us, will this issue be the same at upcoming crossings? Honduras? Niquerauga? Does anyone have suggestions on this issue?

We also hired a Helper as our spanish is really bad, but I think that only helped make the crossing more expensive...

Your thoughts are appreciated!

Patrick

Patrick
I have crossed into Guatemala at 3 diff. borders and never been asked for title always used registration. It is all you need!! I just returned home to Canada 1 week ago from my ride to Panama and used reg. at every border coming and going. Also if you are returning thru Guatemala you keep your permit and do not need to turn it in on your way south, same with the Honduran permit if you cross at Las Manos they will keep the permit and if you return via Las Manos you pick it up again on the way back. They make a note in your passport that says Se Retiene temporalmente la forma ....... por salida a nicaragua aduana Las Manos. Date and signed. The border to Hon. at El Florido near Copan is easy.

As per helpers: I used then about half the time just to point out windows and copy shops, never in Guatemala because they are usually very easy crossings! I payed from 1 to 5 dollars for a helper. 5 at the honduran el Salvador crossing because the aduana was on lunch break and we had to track them to the lunch counter and do the work well the agent ate. $2.00 is about the right amount at all the crossings but you should be very pleasant and speak some spanish.

Spanish is a very real help stop in Xela and take some lessons the price is resonable and Xela is a great city to spend some time in, lots to see and do with in a 100kms. Last year in stayed 3 weeks.

This question is asked and answered periodically here, and you may find a search productive (use Google, not the HUBB search engine). The general consensus is that experiences differ, sometimes greatly. I've never been asked for a title in Latin America, and have stopped carrying it with my bike documents although I've always got it with me. When I used to offer it, I was told "No, not that document; we need the one which shows you own the bike!" or some such (in Spanish, which I do not speak or understand well).

The guy I was traveling with at that particular crossing into Guatemala had some issues involving previous travel and the difficulty in identifying which stamp applied to entry and exit. I sailed right through with my expired and incomplete documents.

Others have said they've been forbidden entry to some countries at some border crossings in the absence of a title. No predicting this, and sometimes no alternative but to try after a shift change or try a different crossing. Same deal with color photocopies; sometimes it works, sometimes not. Personally, I always offer fake or expired documents first, but am prepared with the real thing just in case.

Hope that helps.

Mark

Must agree 100% with Calvin. Never have had a problem at any C.A.border because I only have an Ontario registration ONLy. The particular fellow asking you for it must have been on some US document overload. You should in these cases clearly state that your country/province does not deal in such double documentation, that your registration slip is proof of ownership also.
Funny story,; this year crossing into Belize at Santa Elena/Subte Lopez the BZ customs fellow asked me "what is your title? " .I thought he was referring to that US reg. document, but then after a few moments and questions it became clear he was asking what my NAME was.Same English, differet application

I agree with Calvin...just got back from a ride thru south and central america. Ontario Registration document was all that was required at umpteen border crossings as proof of ownership.

We did have to talk the officials through the document a number of times, but just so they could understand what parts referenced VIN, brand, colour etc.

Suerte!

This Way UP!