minor-passport or birth certificate

[newbycruiser]

My DD is 7 and we adopted her from Russia. We got her a US birth certificate, would a photo ID and birth certificate suffice, or should I go through the hassle and expense of getting her a US passport? She has a Russian passport.

We don't cruise until a year from now, I assume the b.c. and photo ID are fine now, but I'm wondering if they will change it in the future with terrorism and all. It will probably take awhile to get hers (knowing the INS and the government...) need your advice!

thanks as usual!

[SnowW's Mom]

We cruised in April with three of our children (one is adopted). They all had birth certificates with the raised seal only, no passports and we were fine.

You should be all set with her birth certificate.
Have fun!

[FantasticDisFamily]

Because of her special circumstances you might want to check with the agency through which you adopted her or your "most local" passport office.

We have friends who adopted a little girl from Russia several years ago and I believe her mom told me they have a passport for her - the US version.

You have plenty of time and a passport is always acceptable. Getting it now means you will have it should you need it in the future as well. When we cruised the first time we made the decision to get passports for our two kids. Although they only last 5 years as opposed to 10 for adults, renewal is fairly easy once you have them.

And once she gets to high school/college age she will probably need one anyway!