I am more concerned of being stranded in a foreign country... If an emergency occurs.
Well that's the whole point in getting a passport when one isn't absolutely necessary, isn't it? That's the exact thing the passport does for you when you have it; gets you home quicker, cheaper (expedited fees are rotten), and with less hassle.
Since that's what you're worried about, get the passport.
As far as a color copy of a passport, it is useless, is not a recognized form of ID, must have the actual passport.
Of course, but it gives you the passport number which helps matters if you miss the ship.
I, personally, bring my passport on shore.
My nephew is 12. He can not get a passport because his father is not in the picture (a piece of trash) and we would unable to get the "father's" permission, which you need for a minor getting a passport. We leave in August and are planning on using my nephew's birth cert. as his only form of ID. Do we need anything else as far as an ID? I don't even think there is anything else. Will we be ok?
As long as no one asks if there is permission to travel from the other parent (if my son were traveling with just me and not DH we would be sure to have a notarized statement from DH stating that DS is allowed to go with me, for instance), he'll be fine with the BC if it's a closed loop cruise that BCs are allowed for. As long as there is no emergency that requires him to fly internationally, of course.
I personally would try for the passport.......
If he's 100% not in the picture, you guys need to move forward with that. You need to get the courts involved and get the mom sole custody.
If you go to the state department's website you can see the flowchart of things you can do to get a passport for a minor, and it gives the options beyond having both parents in agreement.
http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/minors/minors_834.html
STEP 7: Provide Parental Consent
Both parents must provide consent authorizing passport issuance for a minor under age 16. See the scenarios below, and follow the instruction that best applies to your circumstance:
Both Parents MUST:
Appear in person with the minor
Sign Form DS-11 in front of an Acceptance Agent
One Parent MUST:
Appear in person with the minor
Sign Form DS-11 in front of an Acceptance Agent
Submit the second parents' notarized Statement of Consent (Form DS-3053)
One Parent
(with sole legal custody)
MUST:
Appear in person with the minor
Sign Form DS-11 in front of an Acceptance Agent
Submit primary evidence of sole authority to apply for the child with one of the following:
Minor's certified U.S. or foreign birth certificate listing only the applying parent
Consular Report of Birth Abroad (Form FS-240) or Certification of Birth Abroad (Form DS-1350) listing only the applying parent
Court order granting sole custody to the applying parent (unless child's travel is restricted by that order)
Adoption decree (if applying parents is sole adopting parent)
Court order specifically permitting applying parent's or guardian's travel with the child
Judicial declaration of incompetence of non-applying parent
Death certificate of non-applying parent
NOTE: If none of the above documentation is available, the applying parent must submit Form DS-3053 stating why the non-applying parent/guardian's consent cannot be obtained
A Third Party
(in Loco Parentis applying on behalf of a minor under the age of 16)
MUST:
Submit a notarized written statement or affidavit from both parents or guardians authorizing a third-party to apply for a passport
When the statement of affidavit is from only one parent/guardian, the third-party must present evidence of sole custody of the authorizing parent/guardian.
Look at that one in red especially.