Do we need Passports to visit Jamaica - Nov. '06?

[Zandy595]

We've only been out of the country while on a cruise and didn't need passports. I assumed we would need them for a (non-cruise) trip to Jamaica, but I've recently read that you don't need a passport to travel to the Caribbean. Can someone clear this up for me please?

 

[dcgrumpy]

I thought the law recently changed and you do need a passport for the Caribbean. My sister is going to Jamaica for her honeymoon next week and she and her fiance did have to get passports

 

[Zandy595]

I did a little searching and found this http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html

In the proposed implementation plan, which is subject to a period of initial public comment, the Initiative will be rolled out in phases, providing as much advance notice as possible to the affected public to enable them to meet the terms of the new guidelines. The proposed timeline will be as follows:

December 31, 2006 – Requirement applied to all air and sea travel to or from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.
December 31, 2007 – Requirement extended to all land border crossings as well as air and sea travel.

 

[belleandthebeast]

No, if you are traveling Nov' 06, you WILL NOT need a passport. The law that was supposed to be in effect 12/31/05 has been pushed back to 12/31/06. The law will go into effect on that date.

You will, however, need a valid goverment issued photo id (drivers license), a state issued birth certificate with a raised seal (no cute birth certificates with the foot prints ), and, if you are married, were married, or divorced, you will need a copy of your marriage certificate (or divorce, if applicable).

Hope this helps. On a positive note, if you do get a passport now, they are good for 10 years and you've beaten the rush to get passports.

I read that the law would be tiered for different countries (on different dates), but eventually everyone traveling outside the U.S. will be required to have a passport.

I feel bad for those who travel to Canada (we live in the NE) and aren't aware of the new law. Eventually, they will be denied entry.

 

[Disney Doll]

DH just went to the bahamas and needed a birth certificate with a raised seal.

Don't know if jamaica is different though.

 

[stinkerbelle]

No, if you are traveling Nov' 06, you WILL NOT need a passport. The law that was supposed to be in effect 12/31/05 has been pushed back to 12/31/06. The law will go into effect on that date.

You will, however, need a valid goverment issued photo id (drivers license), a state issued birth certificate with a raised seal (no cute birth certificates with the foot prints ), and, if you are married, were married, or divorced, you will need a copy of your marriage certificate (or divorce, if applicable).

ALL that?

dang! I would just get the passport. Always good to have...last for 10 years...and a "can't argue with it" form of ID.

I got mine this time last year for our Bahama trip last November...was painless...and pretty affordable if I remember correctly.

my picture however...eesh... heheheh

 

[Toby'sFriend]

and, if you are married, were married, or divorced, you will need a copy of your marriage certificate (or divorce, if applicable).

only if you changed your name.

 

[Crankyshank]

You just need a gov't issued photo id and a birth certificate with a raised seal. The copy of the marriage or divorce decree is if your name is different than on your docs.

 

[DwarfMaster]

I took a copy of my marriage license ~ but nobody ever questioned the name change.

 

[LisaNJ25]

I feel bad for those who travel to Canada (we live in the NE) and aren't aware of the new law. Eventually, they will be denied entry.

I wonder how that is going to affect the tourism to places like Niagara Falls.

I went last year and was planning on going again in another year. If passports are required there is a good chance we will never go back. I am not going to pay for 6 passports for a weekend trip.