Birth Certificate Question - Married vs. Maiden Name

[GooniesAndy]

Hi all! As we are four weeks out from our cruise I am gathering everything together and, of course, coming up with new questions. I picked up my birth certificate this morning, and when I was filling out the paperwork it occurred to me that my birth certificate is, obviously, my maiden name. My driver's license is in my married name. I did use my maiden name as my middle name when I got married, which has made it a lot easier, but I was just wondering what other people's experiences had been with using their birth certificates + driver's licenses with maiden vs. married names on them. Thanks in advance!

 

[teach819]

I have no actual experience with the cruise, but I imagine you could bring your marriage license along with your birth certificate. I had to provide my marriage license with my old passport, which was in my maiden name, in order to get a new passport with my married name on it.

 

[justmestace]

I'm guessing you mean to say that you're going to use your birth certificate as ID for the cruise...and don't have a passport?

I'm sure they've encountered this a thousand or more times. Make sure you have photo ID with your married name, along with the birth certificate, and you'll be fine. If you're more comfortable also taking a copy of your marriage license, then do that too.

 

[Dallas_Lady]

Looking forward to seeing other people's answers, I hadn't thought of this myself.

 

[megalyce]

Okay, maybe I am reading the question wrong. Are you talking about GETTING your passport? Because, I'm fairly sure you *must* have a passport to sail.

Pretty typically, you can have your passport expedited and for a name change, you just need a certified copy of your marriage certificate.

 

[Conservative Hippie]

Okay, maybe I am reading the question wrong. Are you talking about GETTING your passport? Because, I'm fairly sure you *must* have a passport to sail.

Pretty typically, you can have your passport expedited and for a name change, you just need a certified copy of your marriage certificate.

You are not required to have a passport to sail on a cruise that begins and ends in the same US port (closed-loop).

 

[sissy_ib]

Okay, maybe I am reading the question wrong. Are you talking about GETTING your passport? Because, I'm fairly sure you *must* have a passport to sail.

Pretty typically, you can have your passport expedited and for a name change, you just need a certified copy of your marriage certificate.

You do NOT need a passport for most cruises originating in the US. A birth certificate and a government issued photo ID are all you need for closed loop cruises.

Also make sure you have the correct birth certificate. Sometimes people only have one from the hospital and this is not what you need. You need one from the state.
Also when I got my passport I had to get a new BC because I had a short form from California and due to counterfeits in the past they would not accept it. I had to order the long form. Not sure if they will take the short form for a cruise.

 

[Queen of Oakville]

Much depends on what name you used to book your cruise? What is on your travel docs? You need to demonstrate that you are the person who booked the travel and match that up to your citizenship document.


Like you, I used my maiden name as my middle name, and I have both on my passport. I always give the TA my full name so I don't have any problems.

 

[alexandmaddie]

I used my birth certificate on two DCL cruises before getting my passport. I had no issues with my married/maiden name.

 

[megalyce]

Wow, I had no idea. Thanks to the State Dept. for making *that* clear!

Obviously, your birth certificate will be in your maiden name, so as long as your photo id (license) matches the name your reservation was made in, you should be fine.

 

[kcashner]

You will have no problem provided you have a CERTIFIED birth certificate and a government issued photo ID. The government issued photo ID needs to match the name on your travel documents. Obviously the birth certificate may have a different name. You are not required to bring a marriage license or any other name change document. This is if you are using the birth certificate as your primary document for citizenship on the cruise.

Be sure that you have an original certified birth certificate. This is the document issued by the state. In the past, they were marked with a raised seal, but newer ones may have other means of indicating the certification. A copy of a certified document is no good. A "gift" birth certificate issued by a hospital is no good.

 

[seven2go]

I will have to say that while several times I have been fine with my certified birth certificate and driver's lic, on my last cruise I did get a grumpy agent who decided to be picky (and annoying). He made a big deal about my dl name not matching my birth certificate. Well, of course because I am married! And NO I did not have my marriage lic ..... Of course he let me through but not without making a huge deal about how did he know I was the person my dl said. Well obviously my picture is on my dl and my husband and five kids with the same last name were there as well.....
oh well, maybe next time I will bring my marriage lic, but I did not think it was required!!
I do not have a passport and always use my certified bc just fine for closed loop cruises. I know the thoughts about passports, this is just my choice at this point.

 

[It'sWDW4me]

I've tried to read the travel website but I'm still unsure - if you use a BC can you get off the ship in Mexico and Grand Cayman or do you have to stay onboard?

 

[kcashner]

I've tried to read the travel website but I'm still unsure - if you use a BC can you get off the ship in Mexico and Grand Cayman or do you have to stay onboard?

You can get off the ship anywhere you'd like. The issue is not getting off the ship, it is getting back into the US when your return!

 

[jdb in AZ]

I've tried to read the travel website but I'm still unsure - if you use a BC can you get off the ship in Mexico and Grand Cayman or do you have to stay onboard?

Yes, you can leave the ship. DCL asks that you take your photo I.D. with you as well as your KTTW card (room key), but usually the KTTW is all they use when you leave/return to the ship.

 

[Lauren0505]

OP thanks for asking this question. I was wondering the same thing. Hope you have a great trip!

Does anyone know if getting on and off at Castaway Cay is a problem for people traveling with BC instead of a passport?
I just won a cruise and we are 7 weeks away from leaving on a Preview of the Fantasy. Worried that we won't have our passports in time.

 

[It'sWDW4me]

Yes, you can leave the ship. DCL asks that you take your photo I.D. with you as well as your KTTW card (room key), but usually the KTTW is all they use when you leave/return to the ship.

Thanks! I'm still up in-the-air as to whether I want to get a passport or take a gamble.

 

[emtmom0104]

OP thanks for asking this question. I was wondering the same thing. Hope you have a great trip!

Does anyone know if getting on and off at Castaway Cay is a problem for people traveling with BC instead of a passport?
I just won a cruise and we are 7 weeks away from leaving on a Preview of the Fantasy. Worried that we won't have our passports in time.

castaway cay was no problem. it is a private island so all you had to bring with you was your drivers license and your KTTW card.

 

[PAcruisnfamily]

Be carefull, you need to be sure since you'll be the one in the terminal waiting for clearance while the clock tics closer to the ship pulling away! You can cruise on a closed loop itinerary, however, if you have an emergency and must re-enter the country by airplane, you may be denied entry through customs at the US airport since a passport is required for air travel.
There was a TV special on the maiden voyage of RC's Freedom of the Seas a couple years ago and a newlywed wife was denied boarding until someone back home was able to fax a copy of their marriage certificate to the terminal. Better safe than sorry - if you don't have a passport, have documents with you to cover every conceivable documentation scenario to get you on that ship!

 

[It'sWDW4me]

Be carefull, you need to be sure since you'll be the one in the terminal waiting for clearance while the clock tics closer to the ship pulling away! You can cruise on a closed loop itinerary, however, if you have an emergency and must re-enter the country by airplane, you may be denied entry through customs at the US airport since a passport is required for air travel.
There was a TV special on the maiden voyage of RC's Freedom of the Seas a couple years ago and a newlywed wife was denied boarding until someone back home was able to fax a copy of their marriage certificate to the terminal. Better safe than sorry - if you don't have a passport, have documents with you to cover every conceivable documentation scenario to get you on that ship!

I remember that story. The cruise was booked as Mr. & Mrs. Newname. ALL of her id was in her maiden name (they got married the day before so no time to have name changes processed). She didn't think to bring their marriage cert?! D'oh!! Yes, they were able to board once the marriage cert proved that she was Ms. Maidenname - matching her id - and now Mrs. Newname - matching her ressie.