Help with U.S. Passports...

[DisneyLovingMama]

Through a series of misunderstandings and "I thought thats", I just realized that the U.S. passports for my husband, my daughter and me were thrown out with an old and battered copy of the PassPorters Field Guide.

First, do we need passports for the 4-day cruise? Second, how do I go about replacing them? How long will that take (i.e., is there a waiting period before getting a new one)? The only thing I could find online was for stolen passports and it wanted a police report.

Thanks,

Jennifer

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

you don't need a passport for the cruise, but the # for the Passport Information Center is 877-487-2778

 

[fljelad]

Strictly speaking, I don't think you NEED passports for the Disney Cruises as long as you have an official photo ID (driver's license) and a certified copy of your birth certificate.

Having said that, a passport is a nice document to have. You can get replacements for your passport but I think you'll have to explain how/why they are missing. Typically I think that ask that you allow 6-10 weeks for passport processing.

 

[cjsmith]

There was a women getting a replacement passport when I was down getting passports for my kids last month. She had to fill out not only the application but some other form that they gave her as well as bring all the identification required which you can read about on the government pages. We went down to get ours at our local government agency on and around December 28 and they came in the mail at the end of January.

 

[Enna]

While we're on the subject, what do married ladies do? My birth certificate and driver's license obviously don't match. In the past I've travelled with my original birth certificate and marriage license, as well as photo ID. Is that all I'll need?

Will the passport make matters more efficient for me?

 

[jlowejd5]

Driver's license, original birth certificate and copy of the marriage license is what we took when we went on our honeymoon last year. We obviously made the reservations before the name change, and wanted to be sure we had enough documentation. I think for convenience's sake next time we're just going to get DW her passport. I've had one for a couple of years, but we're far enough out that there's no time rush, and they're fairly easy to get. Plus I like the fact that they're good for a decade.

 

[jlowejd5]

(Answer the lady's questions, fool...)

Yes, the passport will make it easier for you. It stands on its own as an ID. The driver's license can only be used in conjunction with the birth certificate. I use the passport to board at the terminal, and I keep my license with my KTTW for disembarking at the ports.

 

[Enna]

Thanks for the info. We're trying to decide if it's worth getting passports for a family of 4 (so, much of our tax return money would be going right back to Uncle Sam!).

I suppose it would be worth getting the passport for me. The handful of times I've left the country in 13ish years of marriage I've not needed the passport, but I can see where it would streamline the paperwork.

Next question--since the kids aren't old enough to have driver's licenses what do they need for ID when/if they get off at a port?

Thanks for your help!

 

[DrCavin]

Thanks for the info. We're trying to decide if it's worth getting passports for a family of 4 (so, much of our tax return money would be going right back to Uncle Sam!).

I suppose it would be worth getting the passport for me. The handful of times I've left the country in 13ish years of marriage I've not needed the passport, but I can see where it would streamline the paperwork.

Next question--since the kids aren't old enough to have driver's licenses what do they need for ID when/if they get off at a port?

Thanks for your help!

IMO IF your only going to use a passport for a Disney cruise, then a passport is not worth the investment. If you will be traveling outside the US for anything else, then you have a lot more reasons to justify the expense of a passport.

All Disney requires is a certified copy of your birth certificate & a photo-id.

Your kids will only need their KTTW card to get off/on at the ports. You will need photo ID & KTTW card.

Enjoy your cruise!!!

 

[bdcp]

Actually, it's not what Disney requires, it's what each country being visited requires for entry and what Homeland Security/TSA says. Remember there is customs to clear when returning to the US. There are cruises to at least one location in the caribbean that requires a passport.

 

[anlashokna]

Whatever you decide to do make sure you call and report those passports missing. Just think of who could get there hands on them, alter and use them.

 

[HooKooDooKu]

We've always used just a driver's license and birth certificate (no marriage license) for all of our previous DCL trips.

However, a discussion I got started here in the forum convenced me to cough up the dough to get passports, and it came down to this...

You have to take your driver's license with you when ever you get off the ship. Security wants to see your photo ID and KTTW card before they will even allow you back on the pier.

Now what if your wallet were stolen or you lost it by some other means while you were off the ship? I'm sure that you would eventually be allowed back on the ship (but it will obviously be a hassle), and you won't have any problem getting off the ship once you're back in Florida (assuming you are a U.S. Citizen). But what about your flight back home. I don't think you stand a snowball's chance of catching your flight back home (assuming you are flying) without photo id.

Normally, we just drive to the port, so this isn't as much of a consern. But for our repo cruise where we'll have to fly back home, I decided it would be safer to get the passport and lock them up in our room safe so that I'll have a backup form of id.

As for your question regarding lost passports, you can get replacements. You will have to fill out additional paperwork that will explain what happened to them. Based on their unique passport numbers, the old numbers will be invalidated and new ones issued (so if you ever find the old ones, DON'T USE THEM, THEY WILL BE NO GOOD ONCE REPLACED). Because of the need to invalidate the previous numbers, there might be additional delays or fees (I don't know) to find out what those numbers were.

 

[DrCavin]

Actually, it's not what Disney requires, it's what each country being visited requires for entry and what Homeland Security/TSA says. Remember there is customs to clear when returning to the US. There are cruises to at least one location in the caribbean that requires a passport.

Technically you are correct. Currently Disney Cruise Line does not visit any port that requires a passport.... Clearing customs from a Disney Cruise is great. We did not even have to show a photo id, the agent just asked if we were US citiziens & she waved us through....

 

[anlashokna]

I'm actually a passport agent. Hence why I encourage you to please report them lost. Terrorists would love to get there hands on those lovely valid blue covered passports. Easiest way into the US. The state department keeps very detailed records of your passport history. So even if you do not have the number you are in the system and they can find you. They do need to be cancelled either by reapplying or calling if you don't want to get them replaced.

When replacing you will have to fill out an additional form which will ask the where, when, how and why. You need to give as many details as you can. Please be aware the "I don't know" answer will not get you the replacement.

A side note for you HooKooDooKu. If your planning on the repo cruise I did read questions on another line concerning one of the ports in Mexico and that they were being told they should have a passport. I checked the foreign clearance guide when I got into work and it does say you need one or a travel card. Alot of central america countries are tightening there entry/exit requirements where as before you might get in on without a passport. So you're doing the wise thing if you plan to visit the port DCL has planned there (can't remember which one it was.) Please also see travel advisories concerning Mexico at the DOS website.

Eastern/Western Cruise ports still only require Birth Certificate and DL. I obtained a new travel passport myself for my eastern cruise because I just don't feel good about exiting the US without that in my possession. My childhood travelling with a military household I suppose or paranoia.

 

[CM_Mom]

To give experience to anlashokna's report, I realized about 5 weeks before our cruise that I had forgotten to get DH's passport renewed. Then we couldn't find it. We moved to a new house several years ago and he hadn't needed it since then. He submitted the required paperwork which included the information about what happened to it. He said it was lost during a move to a new house and that was acceptable. If I remember correctly it took about 3 weeks for the new one to come in so I got to sweat it for a while.

 

[minniemoms]

So for the West Coast cruise to Mexico we DON'T need a passpost just a Valid ID, and a Certified Birth Certicate. I don't want to find any surprizes.

 

[DisneyLovingMama]

Thanks for all the good info.

anlashokna - not only don't I know my Passport number, but I can't remember exactly when I got it or where. I remember the city where I applied, but ot the exact post office. Will that be a big deal?

 

[pppiglet]

So for the West Coast cruise to Mexico we DON'T need a passpost just a Valid ID, and a Certified Birth Certicate. I don't want to find any surprizes

.

Last time I checked with DCL they said this was correct. (about a month ago)

 

[MaryKatesMom]

I apologize in advance for this simplistic question. Where do I get a passport? We've never needed one before and I'm sure my small city does not have a state department office.

Again, thank you in advance for answering such an elementary question.

 

[pppiglet]

Check the US Postal service in your area online. Some offices do this and they even take your picture at some. Usually by appointment.