Passport Requirements for U.S. Citizens

[DPRincess81]

Thank you! That seals it then! (HA. See what I did there.)

 

[DPRincess81]

We received our travel booklet today, and it states this, verbatim, which was also on the DCL info page. I suppose it's my risk of course, but found it interesting that this reads completely differently and wondered if anyone has used a photocopy of the birth certificate for their child?

Required Documents for U.S. Citizens
All Guests claiming U.S. citizenship must present one of the following as proof of U.S. citizenship:

• A valid U.S. Passport
• A valid U.S. Passport Card
• A valid Trusted Traveler Card (NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
• Government-issued photo ID along with one of the following:
  • Original or copy of their state-issued birth certificate
    • Puerto Rico birth certificates issued prior to 7/1/2010 are not accepted
  • Original Consular Report of Birth Abroad issued by the Department of State
  • Original Certificate of Naturalization issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
• Guests under the age of 16 may present one of the following:
  • Original or copy of their state-issued birth certificate
  • Original Consular Report of Birth Abroad issued by the Department of State
  • Original Certificate of Naturalization issued by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

With the exception of the state-issued birth certificate, photocopies of the above documents are not acceptable. Hospital-issued birth certificates are not acceptable proof of U.S. citizenship for purposes of traveling outside of the U.S.

 

[Mommb]

It is possible that a photocopied birth certificate would be sufficient, as the DCL booklet says. However, it is also possible that even if DCL accepts a photocopy before the cruise, the customs agents you see after the cruise would want to see a certified copy, as the US Customs website implies.

As you said, it is your decision what documentation to bring. I would prefer to carry an original or certified copy and run the risk of needing to pay a small fee to get another if I lose it, rather than run the risk of not being able to board the ship or being delayed after debarkation.

 

[DPRincess81]

It is possible that a photocopied birth certificate would be sufficient, as the DCL booklet says. However, it is also possible that even if DCL accepts a photocopy before the cruise, the customs agents you see after the cruise would want to see a certified copy, as the US Customs website implies.

As you said, it is your decision what documentation to bring. I would prefer to carry an original or certified copy and run the risk of needing to pay a small fee to get another if I lose it, rather than run the risk of not being able to board the ship or being delayed after debarkation.

Thank you! What an excellent point... I really appreciate it! I am planning to bring both (just in case) and keep them locked up safe with our passports.

 

[T & R]

Why not just go ahead and get a passport and then not worry about it again for 10 years? In America we pride ourselves on being free yet without a passport, your rights of movement would be limited. If you won an all expenses paid trip or if another offered you to tag along on their trip or if you were ever in danger and needed to get away for a bit, you couldn't. You would have to pass for the simple fact to save $110.

I'll probably catch some junk from others for saying this but a birth certificate is not proof of U.S. Citizenship, a passport is. Foreign diplomats who's children are born in a U.S. hospital may receive a U.S. birth certificate but by law, they do not receive U.S. citizenship. Children born to foreign diplomats are not “subject to the jurisdiction” of the United States and are therefore not granted U.S. citizenship.

A U.S. passport though, is undeniable proof of U.S. Citizenship and has all the rights and privileges that come with it. Just take the plunge and go ahead and get one. You never know when you might want to go check out the Olympics, flash sale to Atlantis, Bahamas, etc. With a passport, your options are always open.

 

[eva]

Another thing to consider is that the TSA has already said that 9 states will no longer be able to use drivers licenses to fly even domestically. I live in one of the 9 states, Missouri. This starts in January 2018. Residence from those 9 states will need passports or military id's to fly anywhere. They are also stating that by 2020 this will be true for all states. So I am guessing by 2020, we will all need a passport.

http://www.travelandleisure.com/airlines-airports/no-drivers-license-tsa-rule

Well, it looks like more states could have an issue with this too:

https://www.usatoday.com/story/trav...ivers-license-real-id-tsa-compliant/96162418/

It does seem that states will try to comply. But I know that travel companies in Missouri are warning people about this. Better safe than sorry.

 

[DisneySunPrincess]

Legally, to cruise on a closed loop cruise from a US port in the western hemisphere, the minimum requirement for US citizens is a birth certificate plus (for those 16 and over) a government-issued photo ID.

That being said, if something were to happen and you needed to fly home from a foreign port, you must have a passport. There would be a delay (a day or more) while you got one, but you wouldn't be stranded in a foreign country in that instance.

THANK YOU!!!! I really appreciate you clarifying this. I know we have sailed with our birth certificates for the last Disney Cruise and I knew it was allowed for closed-loops but I was always terrified what would happen if you were stuck in a foreign port with only BCs. Knowing that within a couple of days you could obtain a passport and get home is something I am so happy to hear.

 

[eva]

THANK YOU!!!! I really appreciate you clarifying this. I know we have sailed with our birth certificates for the last Disney Cruise and I knew it was allowed for closed-loops but I was always terrified what would happen if you were stuck in a foreign port with only BCs. Knowing that within a couple of days you could obtain a passport and get home is something I am so happy to hear.

This is true. But if you are having a true emergency, often the last thing you can or want to be doing is sitting around in a foreign country. And if you are on a western cruise the embassy for Mexico is in Mexico City. Not an easy trip from Cozumel.

 

[DPRincess81]

Why not just go ahead and get a passport and then not worry about it again for 10 years? In America we pride ourselves on being free yet without a passport, your rights of movement would be limited. If you won an all expenses paid trip or if another offered you to tag along on their trip or if you were ever in danger and needed to get away for a bit, you couldn't. You would have to pass for the simple fact to save $110.

Personally, my husband, older daughter, and I all do have passports. This cruise was last minute and the baby doesn't have a passport yet so we had to verify the Birth Certificate piece before booking. I was just trying to validate the definition of "copy." She'll get one soon enough.

 

[JanBlessed]

Another thing to consider is that the TSA has already said that 9 states will no longer be able to use drivers licenses to fly even domestically....They are also stating that by 2020 this will be true for all states. So I am guessing by 2020, we will all need a passport.
Better safe than sorry.

I got passports for my two kids -for this cruise- just in case!

I'm not going to lie to any of you: IT WAS A PAIN TO DO, (maybe because I went to a passport office WITH both kids right after school) - But I'm glad I did, because I can rest & relax!

As the quoted post said: better safe than sorry!

Also: I planned a last minute trip*once and was glad that my Then 4 yr old had a passport (now expired, hence the new passport) from a prior RCCL cruise.

*The deal was too good to pass up - that could happen to anyone, and I hope so, because it was Amazing!