Pasport's for young children

[colonels cruisers]

We were just told that by this summer children will need passports. DS will be 3. Has anyone else heard this?
Thanks a bunch!

 

[hydster]

I havent heard that but I wouldnt doubt that at some point in the near future this will become true! We have passports for our kids just because we travel a lot and it's easier.

For us it was a no-branier although if we didnt travel as much I doubt if we would have done it until it became mandatory.

JMHO
Heidi

 

[kellimomo3]

We are cruising in January and intend to all get passports before leaving. I have heard that this might happen too and we might as well get set in case it does. If you have passports is there any benefit to bringing your BCs too??

 

[CAMICKEY]

Our DS6 has had his passport since he was 3 or 4. It just made it easier traveling for us. - Mike

 

[hydster]

Kelli--we bring the B/C as well just because I am paranoid about losing my one and only proof of identiy. We use the passports at the airport and at check in for the cruise, then we put them all in the safe and use the B/C for getting on and off the ship in port. At least that way if one of us lost our B/C we could go on board and get the passports. (did I mention I have MULTIPLE copies of my B/C as well? ) LOL

I'm very paranoid after losing my passport in Japan at age 19 and the hassles it was to get the paperwork in order so now I take them as a precaution as well to prove that I am an american citizen for cruise purposes! They are also easier to carry since our state issues credit card size ones laminated in plastic.

Heidi

 

[kellimomo3]

Thanks for the advice Heidi.
I didn't even realize you needed ID to get on and off the ship. I learn something new on these boards every day!
Kelli

 

[SCOTTOHIOCPA]

The island country of Barbados began to require passports for entry, even for cruise ship visitors on March 1. The cruise industry was able to convince them that there would be a lot of cruisers who would rather just stay on the ship along with all those little green pieces of paper with presidents on them. Barbados then decided to let cruise ship travelers ashore without passports.

I had heard other countries are contemplating this as well.

 

[Cruisin]

I think that if you are 18 or older you need to have your Key to the World Card and a photo id to get off of and to return to the ship at ports including Castaway Cay.
If you have a child 17 or under they only require their Key to the World Card.

 

[Vavasmon]

We just got DD her first passport (she is 8) there was a family getting a 6 month old his passport.

Be aware that as of Feb 1 the child must appear with the parents to apply for the passport. If only 1 parent is appears then one of the following had to be presented:
a notarized letter permitting just 1 parent to apply
a court order granting sole custody to that parent (joint
custody requires bith parents to be present)
a death certificate for the other parent

Both parents must also have valid photo ids

Also, if for any reason your name does not match the name on the child's birth certificate be prepared to explain.

We must of heard the list of what 1 parent had to have at least 5 times while we waited (may people were caught off guard without their spouses). The state department web site explained the process very well. It also lists locations where you can apply. Children's passports are good for 5 years.

 

[scubarn]

We just obtained a passport for our DD2 for our Disney Cruise and also a trip to South America this summer. The US Passport Agency just changed there policy for kids. Both my husband and I had to be present along with our daughter to make application for a passport, along with ID,photo's and $, we were told it usually takes 4 to 6 weeks to process the paperwork

 

[flexsmom]

Also keep in mind that passport photos require a white background. Not a problem for children who can stand, but more difficult for babies! We ended up draping a white sheet over the bouncy seat for our six-month old's picture! The State Dept will return your application without a compliant photo.

 

[SamR]

We were just told that by this summer children will need passports.

From what source did you hear this? Hopefully, if they decide to enforce such a rule, there will be substantial warning given the runway involved in getting a passport. (In other words, if such a rule was going into effect this summer, we should be seeing official announcements about it now.)

My wife and I both have passports, but our children do not. I considered getting passports for them, but the fees are not trivial for three children given that we would probably only use them a couple of times in the 5-year window.

 

[tvguy]

We've had passports for our kids since they were 2 or 3 years old.
Just sooooooo much easier that way. I wear a fanny pack, and keep them in it. I put them in zip lock sandwich bags to protect them.

 

[ClarabelleCow]

Both my kids have passports, my DS got his when he was 3 months, its kind of funny looking at it now, immigration always gets a chuckle out of it!! (hes 4!!). We even use them for all flights, just easier. Those worried about loosing them, what we do is keep a photocopy home with someone, keep a photocopy in our suitcases and originals with us. That way if you do loose it, you just call the state department or whatever department, and it should be a painless process, now if you loose your Birth Certificate while out of the country, I'm not sure what you would do!

 

[Certifiable WDW Nut]

My DD, now 4yo, got her passport at about 18 months. We were going to France and had no choice. One thing - the passports are only good for 5 years for children because they change so much in 5 years. I think their cost is reduced, but I can't remember for sure.

I do plan to keep all our passports active. It is much easier to renew than to get a new one - at any age.

 

[BWVDenise]

Anyone who has more information on this potential requirement, PLEASE SHARE!!! We were not planning on spending $$$$ for 5 passports for a 3 nite cruise!! With less than 3 months until we leave, I need to find out FOR SURE if we will need this or not. We won't be needing passports for anything else in the forseeable future, so I don't want to throw money away if it is something that we don't HAVE to have.
Maybe I should email Dreams Unlimited? They would know, wouldn't they?

 

[hydster]

Denise...I looked at the State Dept's list for each country and the entry requirements they have....

NO POSTINGS about required passports and I'm pretty sure if they were required or were going to be required they would have it posted. I also looked at a website for the Bahamas (which both Nassau and Castaway Cay are part of) and the ONLY documentation they require is:
http://www.bahamas.com/bahamas/about/entryrequirements.aspx?sectionid=59665&level=3&toplevel=0

http://travel.state.gov/travel_warnings.html#b


To enter The Bahamas, U.S. citizens need one of the three documents listed below, accompanied by a return or onward journey ticket and proof of funds to support the visit. Stays not to exceed eight months.

NOTE: If you are using an electronic ticket, please show Immigration a copy of your travel itinerary and ticket number.

Passport
Current or expired (up to a maximum of five years since expiration date).

OR

Official Birth Certificate
For persons 16 years of age and older:
An original certificate issued by the U.S. Govt. or court-certified copy (raised or ink seal) is required, accompanied by an Official Photo ID issued by the U.S. Govt. (driver’s license, county ID, etc.) Current and expired IDs are accepted. Persons over 16 years of age cannot use a Student Photo ID alone as adequate documentation.

For persons 16 years of age and younger:
A Birth Certificate is all that is required. If a Student ID, should carry it along as this would facilitate their being processed by Bahamas Immigration.

For persons 16 years of age and younger, traveling alone:
A notarized Parental Letter of Consent is required. In the case of organized group travel, a letter is not necessary. It is assumed that the chaperone has obtained prior permission.

NOTE: A laminated credit card-sized Birth Certificate is acceptable, as long as it is an original or certified copy (raised or ink seal).

Original Naturalization/Citizenship Certificate
An original certificate is required, accompanied by a recent photo if photo on naturalization paper is not recent.

NOTE: Persons are advised to purchase return tickets (and seek reimbursement upon returning home for the unused ticket), even when they are certain to return via a private boat – the chance of an airline/cruise line ticket agent allowing travel on a single ticket is very slim. If, however, the person gets to the point of Bahamas Immigration on a single ticket, the Captain of the boat would have to present himself and the cruising permit. However, a copy of the cruising permit will be permitted for crew members, who may be arriving by plane and returning by boat as their names will appear on the manifest. A letter will not suffice.

I am fairly confident that if they were needed in the near future that it would be posted as such and with the government knowing what a rush they would have on passport ordering especially with cruise ship passengers in a short amount of time
would be a logistical nightmare! IF they do do this certainly they would have to give people months and months and months notice and so far nothing. Look how long it takes for ANYTHING in the Govt. to get done!

If it were me I wouldnt stress about it at all...you will hear about it if they are needed. They told people for at least 6 months about the passport rate increase and I'm sure you arent the only person in this situation.

Heidi

 

[chucklechops]

Hi, have just read your thread .
I too have also been trying to find out about children's passports as my 2 daughters are on my passport.
The Information I was given from both the English and American passport people were,
My daughter's can enter America on my passport, but Due to me having a visa waiver as from Oct this year I will still be covered but my daughter's won't.
It would cost me about £70 to get them a visa which would only be good for the one trip, so for £50 I can get them there own 5 year passport saving money and a lot of hassle.
In England the whole system is changing from Oct I believe, everybody has to have a passport with the raised stamp and digital number It's to try and get us up to speed with yourselves and ovbiously for security reasons.
Sorry to bore you but wanted to share the info we had found out,
Best of luck and happy cruiseing.

 

[mamo-4-wdw]

My TA advised us to get passports if we could. Not manditory. For Adults its $85 and for Children its $70. Here in Tenn. it takes according to TA 3-4 weeks but on the website it says 6 weeks and when i called the county clerk she said 16 weeks so I just don't know how long it takes. Someone also said in another thread that they keep your Birth certificate and send it in with the passport paperwork. I am planning on getting extra B.C. and then getting one passport each month just to be safe. You would not want to have to pay for expedited passports or not be able to cruise. My kids would kill me if they got to the port and were turned away,mamo

 

[justhat]

We just got our 1 month old daughter's passport photo taken yesterday for our Disney cruise in June. The fact that she might not need a passport never occurred to us. About getting the white background, we took her to CVS where they give you 16 passport size photos for $7.99 and htey have the white background necessary. We just held her up in the air against the white background and they print them out for you right away. The only problem is that she slept through the photo process and would not open her eyes no matter what we did so I just hope that they accept them.