Kids' passport question - would you get renewed or use BC?

[Carohs]

We chose to get passports for the reasons stated above: getting the kids a photo ID, and for the JIC of cruising internationally. We also live near a border, and discovered we like to cruise, so we do have more than a one-time use for them. For us it was an easy choice. It also made sense on our first ever cruise since it all rolled into the cost/budget for it, including DHs and my passport. What's a few extra hundred, after paying thousands for cruise, hotel, airfare and DSC? I even had to go through the trouble of visiting a consulate and getting my country of citizenship's ID first. Although I probably would have been fine with just my green card, we hoped in 10 years we would have another opportunity to travel internationally.

 

[Snowwhyt]

Depends on age of your children since it will last longer as they are older. Also now days your kids could travel with sports or school club and that looks good on college applications as a responsible person good for admission.
You might be on a closed loop cruise but one injury that needs a night in the hospital while on the trip and you’re suddenly off the closed loop.

 

[ladyofthetramp]

I remember that feeling when are kids were little and we cruised. It is a lot of money. But, we got the passports. Part of the trip expense. Nobody plans an accident or a medical emergency. You just have to be ready if it should happen.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Passports are good for emergency travel, if something were to happen during the cruise. You can't fly home from a foreign port with just a birth certificate. I was on a cruise several years ago where a "perfectly healthy" 12 year old had an appendicitis attack, and didn't have a passport to fly home from the Mexican port where he was evacuated for emergency surgery.

Passports are also good for ID purposes back home (school/sports registrations, for example).

So how did he return to the US? Is he still stuck in Mexico?

My point is, it may be a hassle, but at some point they will let you return. I can't see Immigration indefinitely disallowing an American's urgent return to the US due to not having a PP, while having a valid BC in hand.

It's a very remote chance that one would have to make an emergency return to the US. The question remains, if you would worry about being in that situation, and don't mind spending the extra $, get a passport. If you're ok with the odds being very remote and know this cruise will be a one-time international travel opportunity for many years, use the BC.

 

[Karin1984]

So how did he return to the US? Is he still stuck in Mexico?

My point is, it may be a hassle, but at some point they will let you return. I can't see Immigration indefinitely disallowing an American's urgent return to the US due to not having a PP, while having a valid BC in hand.

Probably, but it is probably taking a few days and several phone calls or trips to the consulate/ embassy. Is that the stress you want to add in case of a medical emergency?

To the OP: As mentioned it is not something for just like insurance for this trip as there might other moments where you need identification or school trips.
And who knows, maybe you win the lottery tomorrow and you want to take an international trip to celebrate right after

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Probably, but it is probably taking a few days and several phone calls or trips to the consulate/ embassy. Is that the stress you want to add in case of a medical emergency?

To the OP: As mentioned it is not something for just like insurance for this trip as there might other moments where you need identification or school trips.
And who knows, maybe you win the lottery tomorrow and you want to take an international trip to celebrate right after

No but the same argument could be made for getting trip insurance. What are the odds you will need it? Everyone has their own level of risk tolerance/aversion. One of the few instances that we didn't buy trip insurance because it was only a quickie 3-night, we had a tree crush our house shortly after we arrived in Orlando. Now I always buy it. Big and small trips.

Personally, we got passports for our kids when they were 5 and 8 because we like to travel and we knew we'd be taking a lot of cruises. Not everyone wants to make that commitment to future travel and I can respect that.

 

[OpieDoodle]

Passports always for me. I will not cruise without one. Passports are more for an emergency for me. Lets say someone gets hurt and has to be taken to a local hospital. Ship will leave you and your kiddo there. Trying to get home without a passport will be a mess and a headache that I likely would not have the desire to handle if someone in my party had an emergency.

Passports are just better for me. I don't want to be in a panic wondering what we would do in the what if situation.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

So how did he return to the US? Is he still stuck in Mexico?

My point is, it may be a hassle, but at some point they will let you return. I can't see Immigration indefinitely disallowing an American's urgent return to the US due to not having a PP, while having a valid BC in hand.

It's a very remote chance that one would have to make an emergency return to the US. The question remains, if you would worry about being in that situation, and don't mind spending the extra $, get a passport. If you're ok with the odds being very remote and know this cruise will be a one-time international travel opportunity for many years, use the BC.

I'm not sure, I only know they were delayed returning to the US. Happily, they were from southern CA and could drive back home, when the time came.

 

[Miffy]

I'm voting for the passports, despite the expense. They're just better all-around. And it's also better if one never lets them expire because starting from scratch--which is what happens when you don't renew--can be really annoying, to say the least.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I'm voting for the passports, despite the expense. They're just better all-around. And it's also better if one never lets them expire because starting from scratch--which is what happens when you don't renew--can be really annoying, to say the least.

With children under age 16, you need to "start from scratch" every time. They are not renewable.

 

[Miffy]

With children under age 16, you need to "start from scratch" every time. They are not renewable.

I didn't realize that.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I didn't realize that.

Both parents need to be present also. For some families that can be difficult.

 

[OpieDoodle]

I'm voting for the passports, despite the expense. They're just better all-around. And it's also better if one never lets them expire because starting from scratch--which is what happens when you don't renew--can be really annoying, to say the least.

or you could be like me, let it expire and get married and change your last name. My passport took forever. Like a good two months after the rest of my family got theirs starting from scratch. Good times. I literally got mine in days before my cruise.....

 

[Calantha]

Both parents need to be present also. For some families that can be difficult.

Well, it depends. The rules for parents are complicated.

See: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/need-passport/under-16.html
and Step 7 for all the exceptions.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Well, it depends. The rules for parents are complicated.

See: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/need-passport/under-16.html
and Step 7 for all the exceptions.

Yes I think there are exceptions in cases of death or divorce. Even for happily married couples it can be hard with opposite work schedules.
We always went together and only had to get them 2 child passports until they qualified for adult version.

 

[Mango7100]

Both parents need to be present also. For some families that can be difficult.

That is not true. If one parent cannot be there they can fill out a Statement of Consent, get it notarized and the other parent brings it along with a copy of the absent parents drivers license. I have an appointment with my 9 year old today and that is what the passport office told me (and we did the same thing last time so DH didn’t have to miss work). It doesn’t matter why one parent can’t be there as long as you have the correct paperwork and Statement of Consent

 

[Brian Noble]

Is the $400 material for you? As in: You need to make a sacrifice somewhere else to make it happen? Or is it "Gosh, $400 for something we will only use once seems like a lot."

If it is the former, I think it is probably worth spinning the wheel. But if it is the latter, I would get them. That's because...

Zero percent chance we'll travel internationally otherwise

...getting them passports means you'll have one more excuse to plan an extra family trip in the next several years. That's a GREAT reason to have them!

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

That is not true. If one parent cannot be there they can fill out a Statement of Consent, get it notarized and the other parent brings it along with a copy of the absent parents drivers license. I have an appointment with my 9 year old today and that is what the passport office told me (and we did the same thing last time so DH didn’t have to miss work). It doesn’t matter why one parent can’t be there as long as you have the correct paperwork and Statement of Consent

Well that’s good. Maybe that was possible back when our kids were young.
I just remember thinking it was easier if we both go and had to find a Saturday that we were both off work.

 

[Mango7100]

Well that’s good. Maybe that was possible back when our kids were young.
I just remember thinking it was easier if we both go and had to find a Saturday that we were both off work.

It’s still a pain, but at least it’s an option if one parent can’t go. Saturdays aren’t even offered where we live and kids are only done by appointment (and appointments are running 2 months out).

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Where we live we have in most malls a “County Store” for passports and other things. They limited Saturday hours until maybe 12 or 1. It’s very convenient.
Our kids are in their 20’s now so maybe now post covid appointments are required.