The SENTRI program began as a
pilot program in Otay Mesa in
1995 and in San Ysidro in 2000.
Due to its success, the programs
are now permanent. Enrollees
renew every five years. Below
you will find information about
the program, how to enroll, how
to change or add a vehicle, and
how to renew your enrollment.
What
is the SENTRI program?
The SENTRI (Secure Electronic
Network for Travelers Rapid
Inspection) program, launched by
US Customs and Border
Protection, are dedicated
commuter lanes where prescreened
applicants and vehicles are
allowed to cross the border
Northbound into the US usually
more quickly and efficiently.
The enrollees have been
rigorously background checked
and have been determined to be a
low risk to the security of the
US border. As one approaches the
inspection area, photos and
information are given to the
inspector about the driver,
passengers and vehicle from the
sticker "transponder" on the
vehicle and the information on
the SENTRI Portpass card.
Secondary inspection is randomly
determined by computer or if the
inspector senses something
suspicious.
How do the SENTRI lanes
work?
As you approach the inspection
station, your SENTRI Portpass
card or cards will need to be
read by the electronic
equipment. You will see a sign
showing you where to point the
cards. Hold the cards out the
window toward the equipment.
Since your vehicle sticker
"transponder" is permanently
applied to your windshield, the
equipment will also read it and
send the information to the
officer. Once you approach the
officer, hold out your SENTRI
Portpass card or card to him or
her.
Who can
apply for a SENTRI pass?
Anyone can apply, but not all
are accepted.
How much faster is the
SENTRI line compared to the
other border crossing lanes?
In general, the SENTRI is an
average of 20 - 30 seconds
faster per vehicle inspected and
therefore wait time, even during
rush hour is significantly
reduced. Each SENTRI inspection
is an average of 10 seconds. The
SENTRI is especially convenient
during the morning and evening
rush hour and on weekends.
What border crossings have a
SENTRI line?
The system is currently being
used at the Otay Mesa, San
Ysidro, and Calexico border
crossings in California and the
El Paso (Stanton Street Bridge)
crossing in Texas.
Where are the lanes located?
The SENTRI lanes in San Ysidro
and Otay Mesa are located all
the way to the far right and are
sectioned off by concrete
dividers and have their own
entrances.
How much does it cost to
obtain a SENTRI pass?
The total fee is $129.00 per
person. Here is a breakdown of
the fees:
Application fee $25.00
(or $50.00 total for
husband, wife, children)
Fingerprint fee $24.00
System cost fee $80.00
(or $160.00 total for
husband, wife, children)
Other fees:
Lost Portpass card
replacement fee $25.00
Replacement fee for
transponder $42.00
Additional fees apply to enroll
more than one vehicle into the
program (up to 4 vehicles
maximum). The fee applies
towards two years enrollment in
the program.
How can I enroll?
Visit the Customs & Border
Protection website to begin an
online application.
Where are the SENTRI offices
and what are their hours of
operation?
Otay Mesa SENTRI
office (serves Otay
and San Ysidro crossings)
Otay Mesa Port of Entry
2500 Paseo Internacional
San Diego, CA 92154
Phone: 619.690.7600
We do not recommend leaving
a message. The office is
overwhelmed and has not been
calling people back. They
accept walk-ins for
information and to obtain
forms.
Phone Hours: Monday - Friday
7am - 8pm; Saturday and
Sunday 7am - 3pm
Office Hours: Monday -
Friday 7am - 8pm; Saturday
and Sunday 7am - 3pm
Calexico Port of
Entry East 1699 East Carr
Road, Building A
Calexico, CA 92231
Phone: 760.768.2488
Hours: Monday - Friday 8am -
3pm
Follow the online
instructions from the SENTRI
office. They will notify you
when to schedule your
interview appointment.
To be prepared for your
initial appointment, make
sure you have the originals
and a copy of each document
below for the office to keep
on file:
Evidence of
Citizenship: Birth
Certificate, US
Passport, or
Naturalization
Certificate
Valid passport, visa
or other entry document
if applicable.
Evidence of lawful
permanent residence in
the US if applicable.
Valid driver's
license issued by the
state in which you
reside.
Current vehicle
registration and
evidence of US
automobile insurance; if
the vehicle is not
registered in the name
of the applicant, a
notarized letter signed
by the vehicle owner
allowing use of the
vehicle is required.
Mexican registered
vehicles must bring
proof of having US auto
insurance.
Evidence of
employment of financial
support: recent tax
return, recent pay
stubs, or direct deposit
statements. Persons who
are self employed must
bring business license,
current tax information
and bank statements.
Evidence of
residence: mortgage or
rent payment receipts
and utility bills.
Marriage certificate
Original only: "Carta
de no antecedentes
penales" for Mexican
nationals residing in
Mexico.
The application fee and
fingerprint fee are required
at the initial appointment
and your fingerprints will
be taken.
After conducting a
background check, the SENTRI
office will contact you to
set the final appointment.
During the final
appointment, your vehicle is
inspected and the
transponder is installed.
The final fee of $80.00 is
required at this time.
Final Appointment
Guidelines (Vehicle Inspection)
You must arrive to your
appointment 30 minutes
before your scheduled time
Both front and back
license plates need to be
attached to the vehicle
The windshield must be
free of cracks
The windows on the
driver's and front
passenger's side must not be
tinted
Bring valid vehicle
registration and one copy
Bring valid insurance
and one copy
Bring valid driver's
license and one copy
Park in visitor's
parking
Do not use your cell
phone
No pets allowed
What forms of payment are
accepted?
Accepted forms of payment are
Visa, Mastercard, American
Express, check or money order.
Cash (US dollars) is accepted if
it is presented in the exact
dollar amount. No coins are
accepted. They do enforce a
returned check fee and all fees
are non-refundable.
What are the hours of operation
of the SENTRI lanes?
San Ysidro:
24 Hours a Day including
holidays Otay Mesa: 5:00 AM-8:00
PM(Pacific) Weekdays
(Monday-Friday) 5:00 AM-12:00
AM(Pacific) Weekends
(Saturday-Sunday) 5:00 AM-12:00
AM(Pacific) Holidays
What if I already have a
SENTRI pass and I need to change
a vehicle?
Visit the SENTRI office
to obtain a "Change of
Vehicle" application. Bring
a copy of the new vehicle's
registration and insurance
cards to submit on the spot.
The SENTRI office will
call you within two weeks to
schedule an appointment for
the vehicle inspection once
your application has been
approved.
Once your application is
approved, you will be called
to schedule your
appointment. As of August
2006 it is taking about two
weeks more for your
appointment date.
Read the "Final
Appointment Guidelines"
above regarding what you
will need to bring to your
appointment .
The fee for changing a
vehicle is $42.00.
How may I add passengers to
my vehicle?
Passengers no longer have to
be added to a vehicle. As long
as the vehicle has the new
SENTRI transponder (the thin
sticker) and the passengers
cards are updated with a bar
code sticker, they may cross in
any vehicle.
You may need to present
the following at your
renewal appointment:
Evidence of
Citizenship: Birth
Certificate, US
Passport, or
Naturalization
Certificate
Valid passport, visa
or other entry document
if applicable.
Evidence of lawful
permanent residence in
the US if applicable.
Valid driver's
license issued by the
state in which you
reside.
Current vehicle
registration and
evidence of US
automobile insurance; if
the vehicle is not
registered in the name
of the applicant, a
notarized letter signed
by the vehicle owner
allowing use of the
vehicle is required.
Mexican registered
vehicles must bring
proof of having US auto
insurance.
Evidence of
employment of financial
support: recent tax
return, recent pay
stubs, or direct deposit
statements. Persons who
are self employed must
bring business license,
current tax information
and bank statements.
Evidence of
residence: mortgage or
rent payment receipts
and utility bills.
Marriage certificate
Original only: "Carta
de no antecedentes
penales" for Mexican
nationals residing in
Mexico
Your photo will be taken
again and a new SENTRI card
issued which will be valid
for five years.
