Passport delayed/ID problem...Will I be able to cruise?

[GraceLuvsWDW]

This is such a long story. I applied for a passport (my previous one had expired) in January. It got rejected for a few reasons:

First, I was adopted by stepfather at age 10. At that time my original BC was sealed. The new birth certificate was a "short form" BC. I was told they couldn't issue a "long form" which is now needed for a Passport due to Homeland Security laws.

Second, the State Dept advised me that in lieu of "long form" BC I could get a letter from state verifying my birth. I ordered that on Feb 2nd, and requested/paid for expedited shipping-still haven't received it!

Here's the problem: I petitioned the court for a name change 15 years ago, which legally (via court order) changed my name back to my birth name (they wouldn't/couldn't unseal my original BC). So, now for identification purposes, I have a Birth Cert issued 10 years after my birth + a court order changing my name + a Texas issued DL.

IF I don't get the letter, is there no chance of me making this cruise in less than 3 weeks? The state dept has my short form Birth Cert still which I mailed with my passport application. I do have a copy of that. Do you think that short form copy + name change order + DL would work? I DO have a copy of my original birth certificate (which the courts sealed in 1980) which matches my DL-would that work or do they run a BC through some kind of verification process?

I guess I need to call DCL---can I call them re: this if I am with a Travel Agent?

Any help would be appreciated!

 

[abdgeek]

I would definitely call DCL. Even if you booked through a TA, they should be able to answer your question. I believe a passport is now required to take a cruise. Good luck.

 

[MouseMomx2]

If it is a closed-loop cruise (beginning and ending at the same US port) you can use a birth certificate and photo ID.

 

[GraceLuvsWDW]

Thanks for replies. I need to know specifically if I can use a copy of a short form BC + state issued ID.

 

[mstee777]

You should be fine with your birth certificate as long as you are taking a closed loop cruise. They do not run your birth certificate through a verification process. So of you have all of the documents that you listed, you should be fine. I'm not a travel agent but I have cruised with only a birth certificate and although I am married and my DL and birth certificate have different last names, there was no issue boarding.

 

[queenofeverything]

Your is a very complicated issue. Although people on these boards want to be helpful, we are not fully aware of the law and specifics of your case. Please call DCL and make sure you have the correct information. I would even ask for a supervisor and get something in writing from them stating specifically what you need to have. The last thing you want to happen is to think everything is ok and you show up at the port and are denied boarding. Good luck!

 

[Weedy]

This is not a Disney issue. It is a customs/Port Authority issue.

Go to:
http://travel.state.gov/passport/status/status_2567.html

And then click on application status. If it looks like you won't receive passport back in time call them

From the United States: 1-877-487-2778 TDD/TTY: 1-888-874-7793

Automated Passport Information is available 24 hours, 7 days a week.

Speak with a representative Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., EST, excluding federal holidays.

talk with them about what you can use on a closed loop cruise. Document everyone you talk to time, date, name and info given. See if they will send you a letter or email with what they stated.

Here is the contact link:
http://travel.state.gov/passport/npic/npic_898.html


I would not believe what the Disney people tell you about this. They have no control over what the customs/port authority people say.
The people answering the phones at the Disney Cruise office don't always give good information. You can call 3 times about something Disney related and get 3 different answers. But after you get your info from the passport department call Disney and ask for a supervisor( because at the port Disney will look at you passport or birth certificate also). So if it looks different they may give you a hard time. and again document who you talk with time date info given and see if they will e-mail you..

If you cover all your bases beforehand you should not have a problem. Good luck.

 

[Melissa S]

I would advise that you email rather call DCL. You can get so many different answers from the 1-800 number. You should have something in writting.

I tried to search for "western hemisphere travel initiative compliant documents" but the page was moved (the link is below). You may get many guesses from people on the board but your best bet is to get that list from the government.


http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis_pa_tw_2223.html

 

[lbgraves]

Thanks for replies. I need to know specifically if I can use a copy of a short form BC + state issued ID.

Usually a copy of a BC isn't good enough for boarding. ITA with others that I would not rely on DCL's CSRs to handle this. You will get a different answer from each one of them. I would contact the state department and go from there.

 

[neg58]

If you have your original BC, and it is an official copy (with a seal) and an ID with your current name (as on the BC), you should be good.

What won't work is a copy (photocopy) of anything.

If the passport people don't like the short form BC, how about the adoption certificate? That can be used to show who your parents are.

On the passport application instructions, it listed the documents you can use to meet each requirement. For example, to show citizenship you can use a birth certificate issued by a state, or an expired passport, or a Certificate of Citizenship, or a registration of birth at an embassy or consulate.

Nancy

 

[3princessMommy]

From my experience, if the State Department won't issue a passport based on the documentation you have provided, you will not be able to travel on the documentation either.

You need to work with the State Department to resolve the issue. DCL will not be able to help with this as it is an immigration issue.

 

[GraceLuvsWDW]

Thanks.

I'll call the state Dept tomorrow.
If I receive the letter from the state verifying my birth, perhaps that will work even if I don't have time to send it to the State Dept to finalize the Passport.

Hopefully, I will be able to bring all the documentation I have and it will work.

This is all really quite ridiculous as I am about an 8th generation US citizen.

And BTW, the expired passport doesn't work anymore if it has been expired for more than a year (which I narrowly missed).

 

[neg58]

Thanks.


And BTW, the expired passport doesn't work anymore if it has been expired for more than a year (which I narrowly missed).

I don't doubt that you weren't allowed to use your expired passport, but I was (it had been expired almost to the limit of 5 years) and my kids were too, although theirs had just expired. I do know other people who weren't allowed to use an expired passport too, but we were allowed.

Don't you love getting a different story from everyone you talk to?

Nancy

 

[GraceLuvsWDW]

I don't doubt that you weren't allowed to use your expired passport, but I was (it had been expired almost to the limit of 5 years) and my kids were too, although theirs had just expired. I do know other people who weren't allowed to use an expired passport too, but we were allowed.

Don't you love getting a different story from everyone you talk to?

Nancy

I guess I'll add my expired passport to the list of documentation I'll bring with me-I'll need a whole other piece of luggage just for paperwork.

 

[neg58]

It actually says you can renew by mail if you expired passport was issued in the last 15 years.

http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/forms/ds82/ds82_843.html

It may be with the name differences they couldn't do yours, but it sure seems like they should be eligible for a renewal.

Nancy

 

[ThinkTink1]

I cruised on the Dream in Dec 2012 with a VALID US DRIVERS LICENSE , name change papers ( because I was adopted by my step father ), and a COPY of my STATE ISSUED HEALTH SERVICES BIRTH CERTIFICATE. Not a problem at all! They didn't even look at the name change papers but I always believe its better to have more then less! Breezed through customs on my debarkment as well! Hope this helps.

 

[GraceLuvsWDW]

I cruised on the Dream in Dec 2012 with a VALID US DRIVERS LICENSE , name change papers ( because I was adopted by my step father ), and a COPY of my STATE ISSUED HEALTH SERVICES BIRTH CERTIFICATE. Not a problem at all! They didn't even look at the name change papers but I always believe its better to have more then less! Breezed through customs on my debarkment as well! Hope this helps.

Thank you! I called DCL this morning and they said basically the same thing-that Immigrations at the Port is WAY different from the State Dept and chances are, with everything I have in documentation, they'll let me on the ship.

I also called the State Dept-they are elevating my case to try to issue a passport with what the state has issued but they stated that might happen or it might not and they don't know when, if ever, it would happen. They are going to have a supervisor call me but said it could be tomorrow or could be next month. The inefficiency of our government is astounding!

 

[lbgraves]

Did you talk to a supervisor at DCL? If not, then you could be getting the wrong information. Not a big deal when asking about other things that might happen on the ship, but I wouldn't depend on it when dealing with documentation to get you on the ship. This isn't something that is up to DCL as to what they want to accept.

 

[GraceLuvsWDW]

I was able today to get my case escalated to an upper level person at Dept of State. They have agreed to issue my passport if I fedex my expired passport to them, which I just did! So, all is well-I should have my passport by March 15th sail date! Whew!

 

[tictoc]

I was able today to get my case escalated to an upper level person at Dept of State. They have agreed to issue my passport if I fedex my expired passport to them, which I just did! So, all is well-I should have my passport by March 15th sail date! Whew!

I am so glad!