Expired Passport Still Acceptable?

[tezb]

Our last 2 cruises (before 9/11) an expired passport was sufficient for proof of citizenship instead of an original birth certificate. I have now noticed that the docs says Valid Passport. Does this mean an expired passport is no longer acceptable? Need to know as my DH parents cannot find his original birth certificate and we leave in 2 weeks!! Yikes..

 

[jlp651]

With all that is going on...just being past war etc...I would get a new one...better to be safe than sorry...
I can't say from experience, but it would really suck if you ended up in a bind somehow...

 

[TootyJane]

Originally posted by tezb
Our last 2 cruises (before 9/11) an expired passport was sufficient for proof of citizenship instead of an original birth certificate. I have now noticed that the docs says Valid Passport. Does this mean an expired passport is no longer acceptable? Need to know as my DH parents cannot find his original birth certificate and we leave in 2 weeks!! Yikes..

Just remember even an expired passport is proof of your U.S. citizenship and I believe is good as such for 5 years after expiration. A passport is not used to get into another country. It's to get back into the United States. As soon as you return from your cruise, I would renew your passports. You can call Disney (800-951-3532) and explain your situation. In the meantime, you can obtain a birth certificate from Vital Check http://www.vitalcheck.com. HTH

 

[raisin64]

They will not accept an expired passport. My SIL used hers on past cruisers and after our OCt cruise last year they told her at
checkin that her next cruise she better have a valid one.

Tell them to get a rush on a new passport. It will cost extra
but I believe the turn around time is less than a week.
I am still waiting 2months for records from vitalchecks.com.

 

[tezb]

Thanks for answering my question....I really think DCL should have somehow highlighted this change or noted the change especially since it was once an acceptable practice. I'm glad I checked it now but wish I had noticed sooner.

 

[mmouse37]

Therese....

we had a notice in our documents that specifically said only valid passports or other I.D along with photo I.D. would be acceptable. Maybe it was left out of your documents.

MJ

 

[tezb]

Thanks MJ....if you're talking about the orange card, I got it but didn't notice til now. I think they should have also stated (next to the new rule) that the expired passports are no longer acceptable, since they once were. It didn't really catch my eye til something told me to go back and check it again today. Partly my fault but even so since we only get our docs 3-4 wks out, that's still not enough time to get an original birth cert or another passport. You know we booked this trip before 9/11 so DCL wouldn't have said anything over the phone about it either. I wonder how many others have encountered this problem on day of cruise?? Plan to call DCL on Monday to see if they will allow it this time, otherwise will cost DH a lot of money to expedite this by next week. thanks for your help...

 

[Buckaroo's Dad]

it would really suck if you ended up in a bind

I agree, jlp651. NOT with your wording, but definitely with your sentiment...

 

[ADisneygirl]

Sorry to agree, but they won't accept an expired passport as sufficient ID anymore. You can get an expedited passport -- it only takes a few days I think, but it is $$$. You could also look into http://www.vitalcheck.com -- they also offer an option for a fast delivery. You can call them too -- and order it over the phone.

On a personal note, I was allowed onboard last summer with a "hospital record" as ID, even though my whole life I had thought of it and used it as my birth certificate. It did not have the raised seal from the state of NY, so the CM's at DCL were unsure whether or not to allow me to use it. After a few tense moments on my part, they let me on with the stipulation that rules were tightening soon and no longer would "less than perfect" forms of ID be acceptable. This year I ordered a certified copy of my birth certificate from vitalcheck and it arrived in two weeks, and that was regular delivery.

Good luck and get moving!

We are off tomorrow morning on our second cruise! I'll post a report when we return!

 

[tezb]

thanks so much for your help and concern guys....Not really worried about it, just sorry & frustrated it happened. It's more a hassle, etc. My husband will just take a trip to San Francisco and try to request the birth cert. in person to expedite things. In Calif, they now have a new law effective this month (wouldn't you know it) that you have to get a notary in order to sign for your birth cert request..or any document request for that matter. If he goes in person, they provide one there for you.

Anyway....have a good trip disneygirl....always happy to hear from you too Buck!!