documents to have if travelling with adopted children who were born out of U.S.

[mickeymom629]

I probably should call DCL directly, but was hoping someone here would know the answer. Two of my children were born in S. Korea. I have their birth certificates with raised seals that identify my husband and I as their parents. I also have their INS Naturalization paper stating that they are U.S. citizens. My question is, can I just take a copy of the INS certificate because I don't want to travel with the originals?

Anyone?:(

[Señor Ferrari]

I agree that you should probably call the cruise line to make sure you have the proper documentation when you arrive at the port. This is an unusual case.

If I might offer a bit of unsolicted advice, I would suggest getting passports for your children, if time allows. With the documentation you have, you can have passports issued. Then bring these on the cruise. I believe that traveling abroad is made so much easier with a passport. It's proof of citizenship and photo ID all in one, and is much easier to deal with than birth certificate.

[Dave_from_Marietta]

I see from your counter that you <b><i>don't</i></b> have time to get passports. I think you'll be fine with just the passports, but there's no harm in bringing the INS certification just in case. Once you've checked in, you can leave it in your stateroom safe for the duration of the cruise.

[Bev J]

I have a similar situation, but for myself not my kids. I was born in England, both parents english. Mom married a american GI when i was 2. She became an american citizen along with me. When I cruise I bring original english birth certificate and citizenship papers with my cute 2 year old photo. They always look at both very closely. I keep all documents in a special folder and in the safe. This has worked fine for the past 8 cruises. With the way the world is now next cruise I will have a passport and keep these documents in a safe at home.
Enjoy your cruise.

[Dave_from_Marietta]

Good plan, Bev!

Cheers!

[mickeymom629]

I will definitely bring the originals with me, then (with the cute little picture). Plus, they are bringing their school photo id's.

We didn't get passports because I have 4 children and it would have cost almost $400 to get them and we never travel out of the country (until now). I will definitely invest in them if we think we are going to travel more.

[antmaril]

My son is adopted from South Korea and we took his "birth" certificate (with raised seal naming us as his parents) and the original of his Naturalization/Citizenship papers. I'm pretty sure they won't accept a copy. I was nervous about taking the originals, but I kept them separate from everything else and used the safe in the cabin. I suggest leaving copies of your originals at home. If something would happen and you lose them, at least you have photocopies. Having copies would make it much easier to replace the originals.

He is taking a cruise in May with his high school band, and I am going to get him a passport before he goes. I don't want him to travel alone with those original papers - he'd lose them for sure.

Have fun!

[jds]

Our DD also was born in S. Korea. We took her original birth and naturalization certificates, plus a state photo ID, and had no problems. (But we did get her a passport after we got back from our July cruise, just to make things easier in the future!)

[Dave_from_Marietta]

Originally posted by antmaril

I suggest leaving copies of your originals at home. If something would happen and you lose them, at least you have photocopies. Having copies would make it much easier to replace the originals.

To amplify what antmaril said... it's a good idea to make photocopies, but leave the photocopies <b><i>at home!!!</i></b> You need to have the <b><i>originals</i></b> with you when you cruise!

[mickeymom629]

I switched the copies to put in our safe and our originals to our accordian file (someone said to bring this for Shutters' pictures) to bring :( and hoping I don't lose anything. I will use the safe in our room. All my valuables will be with me, I guess, anyway--the actual people in my family :D

So soon! I'll let everyone know how it all goes in a couple of weeks! We leave for the drive tomorrow night!