Birth certificates enough?

[lbgraves]

Originally Posted by SweetMissy

ALSO bring a marriage license for the wife if this applies. For our last cruise we only brought our ID and birth certificate and the lady ALMOST didn't let me board because my birth certificate obviously has my maiden name. So lesson learned....bringing a copy of my marriage license next time. I don't remember bringing it for our 1st cruise...hmm.

Originally Posted by SweetMissy

Yeah that's why I don't remember this from our 1st cruise, but it was back in 2002 our 2nd cruise was in 2009. I'm not sure if we brought our marriage license the 1st time. I thought we just had our ID and birth cert. She asked for my marriage license and I thought she was joking. She was very nice luckily, she said technically she shouldn't let me board. She called someone else over and explained....he was kind of rude but all was fine and we got on.
Yes, my first and middle name matched, it was just my last name.

That is rediculous! I have cruised 9 times without ever being asked for a marriage license...out of PC and Vancouver as well. I seriously doubt that every married woman on that ship had their marriage license with them. Sounds like someone was on a power trip. I asked the agent about that our second cruise and he said that they just look at the first and middle names to match along with the birthdate. Back when they checked that in St. Thomas the agent looked at my BC and asked me where I was born. I guess since I didn't hesitate with my answer that was their method to confirm with a different last name.

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Originally Posted by lbgraves

That is rediculous! I have cruised 9 times without ever being asked for a marriage license...out of PC and Vancouver as well. I seriously doubt that every married woman on that ship had their marriage license with them. Sounds like someone was on a power trip. I asked the agent about that our second cruise and he said that they just look at the first and middle names to match along with the birthdate. Back when they checked that in St. Thomas the agent looked at my BC and asked me where I was born. I guess since I didn't hesitate with my answer that was their method to confirm with a different last name.

ditto that!
I have a passport now but I went on many cruises with just ID and birth certificate that obvs had my maiden name on it and no one ever mentioned a word about needing a marriage license. wow

[bumbershoot]

I guess I don't see the problem with needing to actually document a name change. Perhaps it's easy for me to say, since neither DH nor I changed our last names, but it really seems like they've been missing something when they do NOT check.

I think the need for Passports is over rated.

Few people say you NEED them for a closed loop cruise where nothing goes wrong. It's just if something goes wrong when having them already becomes really important. And if you want to travel somewhere *else*.

not to mention they really are the easiest ID out there; they all look the same, same info, etc etc. The people checking them don't have to know all permutations of drivers licenses and birth certificates... The gov't did the checking for them, so it's a lot more simple.

[ohanaMAMA]

I am used to carrying my marriage lisence since we have custody of DH's daughter from his presvious marriage. AND DD12 is from a previous relationship of mine. SO neither of our kids has names the match both of us! Cant tell you the hastle we have had in all manner of places. SO I just carry it. no biggie.

[neg58]

Originally Posted by bumbershoot

I guess I don't see the problem with needing to actually document a name change. Perhaps it's easy for me to say, since neither DH nor I changed our last names, but it really seems like they've been missing something when they do NOT check.




Few people say you NEED them for a closed loop cruise where nothing goes wrong. It's just if something goes wrong when having them already becomes really important. And if you want to travel somewhere *else*.

not to mention they really are the easiest ID out there; they all look the same, same info, etc etc. The people checking them don't have to know all permutations of drivers licenses and birth certificates... The gov't did the checking for them, so it's a lot more simple.

I'm in the group that just thinks passports are easier.

My daughter is Chinese so of course doesn't look like me. I could take her Certificate of Foreign Birth (which states right on it that is it not proof of citizenship), her Certificate of citizenship (ONE original only, it is 8x10, I don't want to fold it, and you aren't allowed to copy it; to replace it if lost is $500+ and the picture on it is when she was 2.5 years old so not much of an ID), and her adoption papers. I could take her old Chinese passport and a copy of the law under which she became a citizen. I could argue with the USCIS officers at debarkation that she is a citizen and that can be clearly shown by her 'A' number in her old passport and the new law.

Or I can just have a passport for her.

As we walked through customs last Saturday, the officer looked at me as I handed him 3 passports. He looked at my Chinese daughter, then looked at her passport and saw that the names matched our and that was all.

The people in front of us had 2 sets of passports from a foreign country (one set was expiring the next day) and they were questioned. Show them what they are used to and what they want to see, which is a passport.

Nancy

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Originally Posted by ohanaMAMA

I am used to carrying my marriage lisence since we have custody of DH's daughter from his presvious marriage. AND DD12 is from a previous relationship of mine. SO neither of our kids has names the match both of us! Cant tell you the hastle we have had in all manner of places. SO I just carry it. no biggie.

LOL
Part of the reason I have procrastinated about changing my name back (to maiden name) after my divorce. but soon it won't matter- my last name won't match the kids anymore anyway

[Disney Dreams]

Originally Posted by firemantnt52

We have three times with DCL and only used our birth certificates and d/l. We are getting ready to do a b2b in February and I am doing the again. As long as you leave from a port in the US and return to the same port, all you need is your b/c and d/l.

And nothing unforeseen happens during your trip that causes you to need to return without the ship.

Originally Posted by kcashner

Wow, I've never heard of this being a problem. Everyone has a birth certificate in their maiden name, and a marriage license is not on the list of required documents!

However, it never hurts to have more than you actually need.

Can you be more specific about "almost" didn't let you board? I've certainly never heard of anyone being denied boarding or required to show a marriage license. Did your photo ID first/middle names match the birth certificate? Did the last name on the photo ID match the cruise reservation?

I have often said to bring a marriage license and many on this board gave said its not necessary. On our first cruise, not DCL, I was asked for documentation to prove the person listed on the birth certificate (with maiden name) was the same person on Drivers license (married name). Marriage license solves that issue. They can require it for boarding if they choose to do so.

Originally Posted by LadyLvsTramp

We have always used Birth Cert. in the past with our children. This past cruise we both got passports but never took them out of the holders. We even had copies of them but only needed our DCL ID to get on and off the ship. I think the need for Passports is over rated. I do believe our Birth Cert. are originals and have raised seals.

Until something unforeseen happens and you need to return home without the ship. Then passports are crucial.

- Dreams

[Disney Dreams]

- double post ... Nothing to see ... Have a great day! -

[Tonka's Skipper]

Originally Posted by Disney Dreams

And nothing unforeseen happens during your trip that causes you to need to return without the ship.



I have often said to bring a marriage license and many on this board gave said its not necessary. On our first cruise, not DCL, I was asked for documentation to prove the person listed on the birth certificate (with maiden name) was the same person on Drivers license (married name). Marriage license solves that issue. They can require it for boarding if they choose to do so.



Until something unforeseen happens and you need to return home without the ship. Then passports are crucial.

- Dreams

Dreams I totally agree with everything you said!


I have read many of these threards about needing or not needing PB, marriage cert., custady papers, authorization letter etc to take children out of the country, etc.....etc.etc......

The people who tell others that all these other papers are not needed, not reqiured, "we never used the PB", etc, are often very correct, these are most likely not reqiured..............until.......there is a specail situation, or custady arrangement question, or a name question or missing the vessel or needing to go home fast???

When this happens, and granted it may only happen once in thousands of boardings, when this happen,s that extra piece of paper may just save someone from being prevented from boarding the vessel and waiting a few days in a forgien country for a new passport from the US Embassy.


The bottom line:

My wife and I bring all the papers we think we may ever need. After all it's only a extra few pieces of paper! Papers that may save your wonderfull cruise from becoming a horror cruise.


AKK

[Tonka's Skipper]

Originally Posted by Disney Dreams

And nothing unforeseen happens during your trip that causes you to need to return without the ship.



I have often said to bring a marriage license and many on this board gave said its not necessary. On our first cruise, not DCL, I was asked for documentation to prove the person listed on the birth certificate (with maiden name) was the same person on Drivers license (married name). Marriage license solves that issue. They can require it for boarding if they choose to do so.



Until something unforeseen happens and you need to return home without the ship. Then passports are crucial.

- Dreams

Dreams I tottaly agree with everything you said!


I have read many of these threads about needing or not needing PB, marriage cert., custady papers, authorization letter etc to take children out of the country, etc.....etc......etc......

The people who tell others that all these other papers are not needed, not reqiured, "we never used the PB", etc, are often very correct, these are most likely not reqiured..............until.......there is a specail situation, or custady arrangement question, or a name question or missing the vessel or needing to go home fast???

When this happens, and granted it may only happen once in thousands of boardings, when this happens, that extra piece of paper may just save someone from being prevented from boarding the vessel and waiting a few days in a forgien country for a new passport from the US Embassy.


The bottom line:

My wife and I bring all the papers we think we may ever need. After all it's only a extra few pieces of paper! Papers that may save your wonderfull cruise from becoming a horror cruise.


AKK

[nene0182]

Originally Posted by SweetMissy

ALSO bring a marriage license for the wife if this applies. For our last cruise we only brought our ID and birth certificate and the lady ALMOST didn't let me board because my birth certificate obviously has my maiden name. So lesson learned....bringing a copy of my marriage license next time. I don't remember bringing it for our 1st cruise...hmm.

What about those that have been married more then once? Would you have to bring copies of both marriage licenses? Just curious. We plan on getting passports as it's something we should have done awhile ago since we live close to the Canadian border and it would be nice to make weekend trips there. Better to get a passport then a passport card. Plus with my son having a different last name then us, I'm sure it'll just make it easier in the long run.

[Disney Dreams]

Originally Posted by nene0182

What about those that have been married more then once? Would you have to bring copies of both marriage licenses? Just curious. We plan on getting passports as it's something we should have done awhile ago since we live close to the Canadian border and it would be nice to make weekend trips there. Better to get a passport then a passport card. Plus with my son having a different last name then us, I'm sure it'll just make it easier in the long run.

The entire point of bringing a marriage license is to show the link between the name on the driver's license to the name on the birth certificate. If the driver's license does not have to previously-married name, there is no reason to bring THAT marriage license (unless it bridges the names).

Ex:

Snow White marries Donald Duck and is now Snow Duck.

BC - Snow White
ML - Snow White --> Snow Duck
DL - Snow Duck

The ML bridges the name to show it's the same person.

If in the middle was a marriage to Mickey Mouse, there is no reason to bring that ML unless Snow's current DL says Snow Mouse.

Btw, a passport card does nothing for getting someone home in case of an emergency. It is NOT the same as a passport and I personally do not see any benefit in getting one for cruising. JMO.

- Dreams

[adamsclan]

Our last cruise, the family in front of us in line only brought a photocopy of the 2 little girls' birth certificates. The girls were sobbing. I felt SO bad for them. Too bad their parents didn't research it before they left home. They were turned away.

[Brittmarie04]

Originally Posted by adamsclan

Our last cruise, the family in front of us in line only brought a photocopy of the 2 little girls' birth certificates. The girls were sobbing. I felt SO bad for them. Too bad their parents didn't research it before they left home. They were turned away.

Oh my. I can't imagine the disappointment for these girls