Passports for kids?

[Numtini]

Is DCL taking copies of birth certificates now? I know the State Department won't take copies.

All the birth certificates you get are copies, certified copies. They have a seal from the state vital records or town or city clerk's office that attests to them being official. The original remains in the public records and is the actual form signed and filed when the person is borh, usually in hospital. Certified copies are what people think of "original" birth certificates, but they're not technically the original. They may not even look the same.

I've heard of people being allowed to use personal photocopies, but I wouldn't try it and suspect it's not so much that it's valid as that some people got away with it--I could dummy one up in Word in about ten minutes.

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

We got our passports today. That makes it 16 days total turnaround time.

Also, they did not keep our certified birth certificates, only a photocopy was submitted with the application (initialed and stamped by the processor at the USPS, who did compare it to our certified birth certificate.

So, for OP who has a cruise in Jan: get the passports done ASAP. You'll probably get them back in time. Even if you don't, you'll still have your birth certificates, so you'll be in no worse shape. And, even if they were to keep your certified birth certificate, you have time to get a new one issued.

 

[Hey it's Kris]

I think there is no question that a passport is the better option. we have 4 passports to get (4 kids ) and we cannot affort the extra $240 to expedite the passports... so my new question is... has anyone just used birth certificates for this kids? Were there any problems embarking and disbarking? I think we are still gonna try to get the passports, but I do want to make sure we are ok if they don't come on time.

We used just birth certificates for our last cruise and there was no issue what so ever. When we got off in Nassau all they wanted was mine and my husbands drivers licenses ( and KTTW card) as proof.
The only time we had to show birth certificates was at the cruise terminal for embarking.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

The only time we had to show birth certificates was at the cruise terminal for embarking.

How about when you debarked? Didn't you need to show them to immigration?

 

[lovingeire]

Interesting. We are going to get our passport photos taken this week for our June cruise. I have sailed DCL with my birth certificate (it was a last minute cruise and my passport had expired and needed a name change...) We're going to mail off my husbands renewal this week hopefully. I was more comfortable with myself only traveling with the birth certificate, but my kids I feel we need one. We also are on a longer cruise and have my parents with us so everyone will have a birth certificate! I'd recommend getting them if you can.

 

[Chrislovesdisney]

We got passports for our children “just in case”. I feel like they are good to have anyways. I’m sure you can make up an excuse as to why you are getting them, just let thr passport agent know the trip is a surprise and not to say anything loud in front of the kids about where/when you’re traveling.

 

[disneylove69]

How about when you debarked? Didn't you need to show them to immigration?

If it is a closed loop leaving and arriving from US port you dont need a passport. If something happens and you have to fly back your screwed.

 

[k3chantal]

We are suprising our kids with a Disney Cruise for Christmas and we'll be cruising in January. My husband and I both have valid passports, but not our kids. Do I need to get passports for my kids and possibly ruin their surprise or can I use their birth certificates? What are you using for your identification for your children?

Passports are important. We are going on our 6th Disney cruise this summer and have always had passports for everyone; even our closed looped cruises. Why? 1. Security. If for some strange reason something happens I want the the best ID for my child(ren) so I can get help without jumping through additional hoops. I would never travel outside the U.S. without them.

 

[Dug720]

If it is a closed loop leaving and arriving from US port you dont need a passport. If something happens and you have to fly back your screwed.

But you still go through customs and have to show them something don't you? I wouldn't dream of not having a passport, so I've never had to do the photo ID and birth certificate thing, but I would think you'd still have to show those on debarkation and reentry into the US even on a closed-loop cruise.

 

[mmouse37]

I am pro Passport. Our kids have had them since our first Disney Cruise back in 1998. It has come in handy for the kids at times....our two daughters were invited to Scotland on a last minute trip to help nanny for our friends' kids and they would not have been able to go if they did not have their passports already. They even got to see Prince William and Harry at their hotel lol!

Seriously, though since Passports are soon to be the gold standard in ID even for domestic trips we have always renewed our Passports when they expire. We also bought our grandkids their first passports when they were each just a few months old....never know when a last minute deal might come up on Disney Cruise lol!!!

MJ

 

[PrincessShmoo]

If it is a closed loop leaving and arriving from US port you dont need a passport. If something happens and you have to fly back your screwed.

I know that. What I was asking that poster was in comment to the statement "The only time we had to show birth certificates was at the cruise terminal for embarking."

Even if it's a closed loop cruise, you still have to stop at immigration and show SOMETHING when you return to the US.

 

[Firststate77]

We showed our birth certificates checking in at the terminal, and the 2 min with customs when leaving terminal after cruise. So you need to show them twice. And are you really screwed if you got left in A foreign port or had a medical emergency. I am sure there is a way to get home, you would not be required to live there .

 

[CamColt]

Another reason Passports are good is they are a back up form of ID. I now bring them with us any time we fly, even just domestic flights. The reason being, a couple years ago DH and I were on the bus after a Run Disney race. He somehow the left his wallet between the seats and he realized it was missing as we were walking in the hotel lobby. I went back to the room as he tried to chase down the bus and it was then I realized his license was in the wallet and he wont be able to fly home. That is when panic set in and I have vowed to always have a back up form of ID when we travel. Throwing passports in the carry on bag and then in the safe when we get to the room is easy and gives me peace of mind in the event someone should lose an ID.

 

[LSUfan4444]

We are suprising our kids with a Disney Cruise for Christmas and we'll be cruising in January. My husband and I both have valid passports, but not our kids. Do I need to get passports for my kids and possibly ruin their surprise or can I use their birth certificates? What are you using for your identification for your children?

We have always used passports for our daughter and never leave them in the room when we get off the ship in port.

 

[phins_jazy]

We got our passports today. That makes it 16 days total turnaround time.

wow! that's fast. We are going to get ours the first of the year.

 

[ryankski]

My wife and I have had passports since getting married 10 years ago and have used them regularly to travel (6 continents). However, we will not be getting a passport for our Disney cruise next October. My son is 4 and did his first cruise with us this year to AK. We flew into Seattle and when crossing the Canadian border via train only had to show a birth certificate to imigration (my brother flew into Vancouver and needed passports for his kids due to flying across the border). We then used the passport to board the ship and again through US customs in Seward, AK. Unless something hits the fan a passport isn't necessary and you will then just have to reach out to a US consulate or similar in the country you are in to get an emergency passport.

We are not getting one next year based on them only being good for 5 years. we are going to get him a passport in 2020 (6 yo at the time)when we plan on taking him to Disneyland Paris and then renew it when he's 11 and then one more renewal on our dime when he's 16 which is the age they become good for 10 years. Otherwise if he gets it when he's 15 he'll need a new one at age 20.

Honestly, after doing a Canadian land border crossing and cruise this year without a passport for my son I wouldn't stress/worry about not having one for a closed loop cruise out of FL. Just have the certified copy of the birth certificate (raised seal) from your state .no biggie

 

[melle10]

Thanks for all the feedback. We decided to just use birth certificates for this trip. We will definately be getting passports in the future, but with the timing we decided to hold off.

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

Also, unlike with our previous application, the processor at the USPS certified a photocopy of the birth certificates and gave us back the original. So we were able to keep the birth certificates.

That’s....shocking. To certify something means they’ve seen the source and are certifying that it’s a true copy of the original info (that stays in hands of the govt). To say that you’ve seen the copy and you stamp that you did is more of a notarized situation. I’m kinda stunned at this.

Well, the instructions for passports now says you need to bring your birth certificate, and a copy of it also. I'm pretty sure a few years ago the instructions did not ask for a photocopy in addition to the actual certificate from the state.

The processor examined the original and compared it to the copy (he actually decided my photocopy wasn't clear enough, so he made another photocopy for me). He stamped the back of the photocopy, initialed it, and that was what was included with the application, and I got my original back.

The tracking website says my passports are in the mail, so apparently the processor at the USPS did do it correctly.

I guess the department of state decided that was good enough, so they wouldn't have to worry about mailing the original back?

They are essentially doing this for REAL ID driver's licenses now too. I just got them for both of my sons and we had to bring in a bunch of original documents certifying their citizenship AND their place of residence, the motor vehicle person examined each document for authenticity, scanned them into their computer, and then gave them all back to us. So it seems to be enough for them to see the originals in person and then keep a scan or copy for their records. Perhaps it is the same for the passports.

OP, have a great trip! You'll be fine.

 

[Numtini]

My guess is that this is so they don't have to return the original, which always struck me as a very inefficient process.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

They are essentially doing this for REAL ID driver's licenses now too. I just got them for both of my sons and we had to bring in a bunch of original documents certifying their citizenship AND their place of residence, the motor vehicle person examined each document for authenticity, scanned them into their computer, and then gave them all back to us. So it seems to be enough for them to see the originals in person and then keep a scan or copy for their records. Perhaps it is the same for the passports.

OP, have a great trip! You'll be fine.

I had to do the same for my state. I think this is ridiculous. I have a passport, I have already proven my citizenship and my license should prove my place of residence. Why does my local motor vehicle department need to do it all over again just so my Driver's License can be used to go through TSA when I fly?