Passport and/or Birth Certificate

[bennett]

If we all have a passport do we need to take along our birth cert.---should we to play it safe?

[albiats]

You don't need anything other than your passport and a separate photo id, like a state issued driver's license or id card. Although as I type this, I recall that a few states do no have photos on their Dls.

Assuming you are a US Citizen:
Having the passport issued means that the Department of State is convinced that you are a US Citizen and have the birth date that is listed. It means that the burden of proving your citizenship has been assumed by them and that the person at the checkin counter doesn't have to worry if the raised seal on your birth certificate is authentic or not. They don't have to try to read something that is blurred because it was in a fold of the paper or whatever.

I applied for Passports for my DW and myself in February so that we could carry just the passports and a separate photo id. I believe that it gives more security for ourselves and also for the person that is reading it, such as the customs personnel or even the DCL checkin agents. The person reading it can presume that it's valid if it looks unaltered. I though that I read somewhere of a database that has info about where a person has been by having their passport stamped and the barcode scanned, but it must just be for countries that require a visa or something like that.

Anyway, that's why I paid the fee to get them, so that I could prove citizenship and identification more easily and to remove the guesswork from reading my birth certificate.

To play it safe with our passports, I'm going to make two copies of the first pages and put them in different suitcases. I also read an excellent idea from another poster that said she scanned the first pages of her family's passports into her pc. Then she sent an email to herself with an attachment of the scanned image so that she could retrieve the info by printing it out, from anywhere in the world. You just need to make sure it is an email address that can be accessed using the Web and not application software. Hotmail and Yahoo mail are examples of web based email systems, and there are many others.

If you aren't a US Citizen, then a corresponding department in your country would have the same responsibilities as the Department of State does here.

hope that helps

[LarryC]

Unless you are going to be driving a car, you don't need the drivers license if you have a passport.

You may want to use a drivers license instead of your passport when re-boarding the ship, but you do not need it in addition to a passport.

[CarolAnnC]

Just picked up the forms to apply for passports for myself and DD's. I have not had one since I was 16 years old, lol. Of course, once I have these I may consider some foreign travel such as Europe. Good idea to be prepared. :)

[StaceyA]

For those of us without a passport......a birth certificate and photo Id is enough right?
Thanks

[lespaul55]

Birth certificate and photo id are enough if you don't have a passport.

And take the time right now to check your driver's license and make sure it is current! My brother found out at the airline counter that his driver's license had expired!!!! Luckily, he's a firefighter and the airline accepted his Chicago firefighter's photo id. Especially if you have moved, the expiration notice of your driver's license may not find you.

Check it now!!!

Leslie

[Señor Ferrari]

From the FAQ section of Disney Cruise Lines' website:

What documentation do I need to bring?

All U.S. and Canadian citizens must travel with proof of citizenship, which is a valid passport, or certified birth certificate with a picture identification, or a certified naturalization certificate with a picture identification. Acceptable forms of picture identification are state or provincial driver's license with a picture, or federal, state, province, or local government photo I.D. card. Children 17 and under who are U.S. or Canadian citizens are only required to have proof of citizenship, excluding picture identification.

All Guests who are non-U.S. citizens residing in the United States will be required to travel with their Alien Registration Card (Green Card) and valid passports. All other Guests must have valid passports and necessary visas at time of embarkation. Travel documents required throughout the vacation are the responsibility of the Guest. Please consult with your travel agent, government agencies, embassies, or consulates to determine documentary requirements.

Any Guest traveling without proper documentation will not be allowed to board the vessel and no refund of cruise fare will be issued.

For all non-U.S. citizens, including Canadian citizens, travel documents will be collected at check-in by a Disney Cruise Line representative and a passport/Alien Resident Card receipt will be issued for presentation to Immigration Inspectors upon return to Port Canaveral.

[Cheryl-Lynne]

All Canadian citizens (yes, including children), have to travel with a passport. We used to be able to travel with a drivers licence, and a birth certificate, but now everyone must have a passport. We were told this by our travel agent, as we are booked on the Dec. 7/03 Western cruise.

[vllygrrl]

Here's a tricky question - I am sailing in September and do not have a passport. However, if I were to bring my birth certificate and driver's license, the names will not match because when I got married a year and a half ago, I took my husband's name. What happens in this situation?:confused:

[Señor Ferrari]

Good question, vllygrrl, I think it would be OK, as I'm sure this is the case for many people, but I'm sure someone on this board could tell you for sure.

In any case, if you're sailing in September, you should have plenty of time to get a passport. I find that it's much easier to travel with one, as it's proof of citizenship and photo ID all in one.

[Carrieberry]

We were told by a different cruise line a couple of years ago, to bring a ceritfied copy of our marriage certificate as well, just in case. Better safe than sorry!

[prymsu]

don't worry about it. I normally take my driver's license and not my passport when we cruise. I have never been told to bring a copy of a marriage certificate, or even questioned about why my last name doesn't match with that listed on the birth certificate.

[lespaul55]

I just cruised May 19 this year using my birth certificate and driver's license. And just like the previous four times I've cruised, no one asked why the names don't match. Honestly, cruise lines expect married women NOT to have their present ID match their birth certificates since most married women change their names.

And passport applications ask about marital status, date of marriage, spouses name and birthplace [I have an application with me.] But the application doesn't ask for any proof of marriage.

Leslie

[vllygrrl]

Thanks for all the responses! Ideally, I guess I should get a passport, but it might not be feasable....NJ makes it difficult. I'd have to take time off work and drive out to the county courthouse, about an hour away, to complete all the paperwork.:(

[motherhen17404]

Just some updated info:

We went to get our passports last week. And the clerk at the courthouse told us that it was a good thing that we were getting our passports now and not waiting. She said that sometime in August the price was going up by about $15.00 plus the service charge was going up $15.00 also.

[disneyvacationmom]

I was questioned at the airport in Orlando in Aug. 2001 about my ID. My birth certificate name didn't match the airline ticket name. I tried to explain that one was my maiden name. Not good enough. Luckily I had picture ID with me.

[Señor Ferrari]

vllygrrl,

You shouldn't have to go to the county courthouse to do it. You should be able to do it locally. I did mine at the local post office. The State Department website has a site finder at:

http://iafdb.travel.state.gov/

If you get your photo and fill out the application ahead of time, you should be able to do it fairly quickly. You can download the application from the website as well.

The finder lists two locations in Old Bridge, NJ, one appears to be open evenings.

Good luck!

[OurDogCisco]

Now, I am concerned. Do I need a photo id for 1 year old. My 4 year old has a passport but it might have expired by now. I'll have to look. Thank goodness I am looking at this web site. I totally forgot about the passport issue.

If anyone can answer my question that would be great.

Thanks,
Tina

[lespaul55]

Minors are different, they just need a birth certificate. No picture ID. As for your 4 year old's passport, I thought they were valid for 5 years for a minor's passport and 10 years for an adult.

Be careful about non driving 18 year olds, my son just got a State ID so he can get on the plane and cruise!

Leslie

[LarryC]

Originally posted by lespaul55
.....As for your 4 year old's passport, I thought they were valid for 5 years for a minor's passport and 10 years for an adult.....


Correct - it is imposible for a 4 year old's passport to have expired since passports are valid for 5 years if issued before age 16.

As for NJ and the courthouse - you can probably do everything at the local Post Office.

Anyone who has more than 2-3 months until their cruise should get a passport. It's so easy to do.

[albiats]

We applied for our passports in February of this year. We just had to go to the Main Post Office in our area. We had our passport photos taken at the local AAA office and I downloaded the passport applications from the gov't website. You have to remember not to sign it until you're in the presence of the clerk at the Passport application office.

We did not use the expedited service and the applications were mailed back to us within eight calendar days of when we applied for them.

It cost $45 for the Department of State and $15 for the application fee, but it's also valid for 10 years. Not a bad deal at all.

With all of the world tensions and considering the changes they will be making to ensure they know who is entering the United States, I thought having a passport will become very important for travel with the least amount of delays.

hope that helps

[Cheryl-Lynne]

Since you are all American it is not a big deal to not have a passport. It is for the non-US residents that a passport is required.

[disneyholic family]

why do you have to go to the courthouse for a passport?...
have they changed the system?
you used to be able to apply for them at the post office....
in any case, if you have a passport, you do NOT also need a photo ID...a passport is a photo ID.....

(just an aside - i just love that expression "resident aliens".....little green men perhaps?).....

finally, if your passport is lost or stolen while you're out of the country, the replacement process is surprisingly easy IF you have a copy of that all important picture page....

we've been left without passports in rather nasty places in the world and the US government is surprisingly helpful and efficient in solving these sorts of problems....although the state deparment did screw up with us once....but the embassy demonstrated remarkable independence and overruled state....wonders never cease....

[ducklite]

Originally posted by vllygrrl
Thanks for all the responses! Ideally, I guess I should get a passport, but it might not be feasable....NJ makes it difficult. I'd have to take time off work and drive out to the county courthouse, about an hour away, to complete all the paperwork.:(

Nope, not at all. You can do it in the evening or Saturdays at the Old Bridge Public Library, which even if you on the Red Bank end of Middletown should take you no more than about 25 minutes to get to. Their number is (732) 721-5600 X5013.

Anne

[vllygrrl]

Thanks Anne!:D

[mmouse37]

Even though I know passports are not necessary to cruise DCL, we found it much easier to carry passports then to carry Birth Certificates. I even got them for my three children. I keep them all in an evelope and just present them at the airport and at the cruise terminal.....no hassle, and the officials often comment "good, you have passport, that makes it easier!!"

They also came in very handy when my two teens were asked to vacation with friends internationally at the last minute!!!

MJ

[Dave_from_Marietta]

You can get your passports at post offices, courthouses, etc. It varies by community.

But all you really need to do is check the passport office locater at the State Department web site. It will direct you to your closest location.

http://iafdb.travel.state.gov/

[dmwright921]

You can also check with your county courthouse to see if they have any evening hours. I went during the day with my DD to get our passports, husband was at work, and could not get daughters because my husband was not with me, and I did not have a signed waiver from him allowing me to apply for her passport. So I applied for mine, and the next week, (every Wednesday night they are open until 8pm) my DH, DD, and myself went back to the courthouse and applied for their passports. We all received them within 2 weeks from application.

They may also have satelite offices in a public library during the week nights, they may not offer photos, but you can go to CVS, Eckerd, Walmart,etc and get 2 passport photos taken, then apply at the offices.

Just call your local County Courthouse and they will give you all details!

[prymsu]

quote from disneyvacationmom

I was questioned at the airport in Orlando in Aug. 2001 about my ID. My birth certificate name didn't match the airline ticket name.

This is surprising to me. You need to have a Photo ID for boarding, and normally you are never asked for a birth certificate, unless you are flying to some place in the carribean where a passport is not required to return to the US...

[disneyvacationmom]

prymsu: We fly out of Buffalo but are Canadian. I don't know if this makes a difference but we've always shown our Birth Certificate when flying. We haven't flown since Sept 11 though. That too might make a difference. Kathy