Passports?

[Beth06015]

It may be a good idea to get a Passport as their may be additional travel restrictions passed under the new administration.

Phase 4 of the Real ID Act goes into effect in Jan 2018 which requires specific ID for air travel.
Some state driver's licenses are NOT compliant with the REAL ID Act including Kentucky, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Washington.

Passports are compliant with the Real ID Act.

We do have enhanced NYS licenses now, which cover travel to Canada, and Mexico too I think.

 

[lanejudy]

Canada, probably 1.5 hours from our house

You live that close to Canada? Another argument for the passports. As the kids get older, there will be opportunities that arise without enough warning time to get passports. Sports, concerts, school field trips, family weekend get-aways... We're going to see Disney On Ice up north -- closer travel and less expensive than any location state-side within a 6 hour drive.

 

[Beth06015]

So my experience... my family's first cruise was with Passport CARDS -- which, for the record, I do NOT recommend getting simply for the purposes of a cruise, we just happened to have them anyway. This is essentially the same as cruising with birth certificates, because we would not have been able to fly home. We have people with medical needs and we fly from a wintery weather area; we accepted the risks and all was fine. Hundreds of people do this on cruises with no problems.

You say you are "worried about the kids" but I'm not understanding that. The birth certificates get them onto the ship at initial embarkation, put in the safe for the duration, and shown again at Customs and Immigration at final debarkation. The kids only need their KTTW card and will (presumably) be with you when off the ship. Kids younger than 16 need no other ID; kids age 16+ need a government issued photo ID to get on/off the ship just like adults.

Now, some "pros" for the Passports (Books!) if you want to push for that... you don't mention how old the kids are, but Passports are great for LOTS of things once the kids get to school-age and then high school. It's a very simple form of ID, no need to dig out BCs to additionally prove citizenship -- school registrations, camp registration, some sports registrations, part-time jobs for teens, ID for field trips, etc. You'll be on 2 non-US islands, and at-sea -- NO guarantee that any injury/illness at sea will have a guest airlifted to the US, it would be the nearest location. As PP mentions, your DH does not have to be present to apply for their passports, he only needs to sign a notarized form.

Enjoy your cruise!

Thanks. I'm glad to hear other people do it without issue, if that's what I'm going to have to do...to be fair most of the other planning he stays out of. I realize a notarized form would work, but if he doesn't want to get them then that won't work either LOL.

When I say I'm worried about the kids, it's more the responsibility of traveling with kids (who will be 5 and 10 when we go in May). If it was the two of us stuck somewhere, heaven forbid, that's one thing, but I feel more concerned given the four of us on the trip. We have had passports before (mine is in my maiden name which is why I let it expire), so I feel like we could be located quickly, but on a quick stop to Canada recently they had a little more trouble locating the info for the kids.

 

[MrsSmalls]

We did passports because of the what ifs. The local library did them, the kids played in the kids section while I did the paperwork. They are good for 5 years.

 

[Beth06015]

You live that close to Canada? Another argument for the passports. As the kids get older, there will be opportunities that arise without enough warning time to get passports. Sports, concerts, school field trips, family weekend get-aways... We're going to see Disney On Ice up north -- closer travel and less expensive than any location state-side within a 6 hour drive.

Well, we both have enhanced licenses and now keep the birth certificate copies in the car. The enhanced licenses work for Canadian entry. When I was in college a regular license did it! It's gotten stricter!

 

[Beth06015]

@Beth06015 Our travel agent STRONGLY suggests them, makes them seem almost a requirement. If you read their policy, you would think DCL requires them, that's how strong the language is. If you're using a TA, maybe you can have them convince your husband? (But don't tell him the kids' expire in 5 years, then he'll really have a problem). ;-)

Yeah, I know I am going to ask our TA about it. Wanted to see what the thoughts on this board were too for personal experiences!

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

We have had passports before (mine is in my maiden name which is why I let it expire),

One more thought...

How recently did your own passports expire? Was it less than 5 years?

If they are less than 5 years expired, you will have an easier time of renewing them (can be done by mail). If they are more than 5 years expired, you have to go back to the post office (or where ever, just as you would for your kids). So if you are at 3 or 4 years expired, that would be another reason to renew now, while it is still easy to do by mail before the 5 year mark comes up.

 

[gotomu212]

I'm a big passport fan, but that said the rest of my extended family cruises with us and only uses birth certificates. They've never had a problem (and I do understand that the cost to get 4 at once can be a lot in the budget).

I'll also add that a cousin did need an emergency passport when she had emergency surgery in Mexico and while it was a pain it wasn't THAT difficult (just took a full day of her husband waiting at the consulate).

Again I say get a passport, but if that's not possible it's not the end of the world and you'll be okay (no man without a country scenario for you).

 

[Pkltm]

Well, we both have enhanced licenses and now keep the birth certificate copies in the car. The enhanced licenses work for Canadian entry. When I was in college a regular license did it! It's gotten stricter!

If it makes you feel any better, it goes both ways. Us Canadians require passports to travel via air to the US, enhanced ID is okay only by car. But if we drove and didn't take passport I would not get served alcohol in Florida, as a passport is the only valid form of id for us for that.

 

[bumbershoot]

We have had passports before (mine is in my maiden name which is why I let it expire), so I feel like we could be located quickly, but on a quick stop to Canada recently they had a little more trouble locating the info for the kids.

What does it mean that they had more trouble locating the info? Who is they?

The border guards always act like they are doing you a favor letting you in (which they are of course lol). They always act like there's something very intriguing on the screen.

As for being located...do you mean for an emergency passport?


Crossing the Canadian border is very simple with the passport FYI! Oh and the kids could get enhanced IDs, yes? Not for the cruise but for Canada crossings? If the passports really aren't ok'd on the home front?

IF an emergency arises, the costs for the passports will be higher than from home and you stand a strong chance of not getting full passports (meaning with the ten years for adults and 5 years for kids). I'm frugal in some ways and that would drive me bonkers.

I'm being strong on this because YOU want the passports. I'm supporting you. you're the mama bear and you are worried about something, and I'm trying to help papa bear see it. Mama bears get a say, too.


We have passports and DS and I just got NEXUS cards. (DH is the sucker who wouldn't listen to me and paid more for Global Entry, which doesn't give him as much as nexus gives us for cheaper) We want our travels to be as smooth as possible.

If they are less than 5 years expired, you will have an easier time of renewing them

Well it's that they CAN be renewed. It's not that it's easier, but that you can do it at all. Beyond that time and it's a whole new process and higher fee.

I can't remember the specifics but it's possible that the name change will preclude her from a renewal anyway. Check the state dept passport page.

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

Well it's that they CAN be renewed. It's not that it's easier, but that you can do it at all. Beyond that time and it's a whole new process and higher fee.

I can't remember the specifics but it's possible that the name change will preclude her from a renewal anyway. Check the state dept passport page.

It IS also easier, since renewals can be done by mail, instead of in person, but you are right that renewal has other advantages too.

I THINK she can renew even with the name change. I'm trying to remember my wife's case years ago. I THINK she just needed to include a copy of her marriage certificate too, to confirm the name change.

 

[wombat_5606]

I've done 20 cruises and never needed my passport a single time, BUT the first time I

It IS also easier, since renewals can be done by mail, instead of in person, but you are right that renewal has other advantages too.

I THINK she can renew even with the name change. I'm trying to remember my wife's case years ago. I THINK she just needed to include a copy of her marriage certificate too, to confirm the name change.

I think that is before it expires, though. In fact, I know it is free, with a marriage certificate, if you are just doing a name change, but now that hers has expired, I think it's a different matter.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I've done 20 cruises and never needed my passport a single time, BUT the first time I


I think that is before it expires, though. In fact, I know it is free, with a marriage certificate, if you are just doing a name change, but now that hers has expired, I think it's a different matter.

The not having to pay for a name change due to marriage is only good if the old passport was issued within the last year. A name change anytime after that has a cost.

 

[wombat_5606]

The not having to pay for a name change due to marriage is only good if the old passport was issued within the last year. A name change anytime after that has a cost.

I don't believe that is correct. My daughter changed her name when she got married with a passport that she had held as a teenager. It may be that it has to be changed within a year of being married, though.

 

[MUN]

Thanks. I'm glad to hear other people do it without issue, if that's what I'm going to have to do...to be fair most of the other planning he stays out of. I realize a notarized form would work, but if he doesn't want to get them then that won't work either LOL.

When I say I'm worried about the kids, it's more the responsibility of traveling with kids (who will be 5 and 10 when we go in May). If it was the two of us stuck somewhere, heaven forbid, that's one thing, but I feel more concerned given the four of us on the trip. We have had passports before (mine is in my maiden name which is why I let it expire), so I feel like we could be located quickly, but on a quick stop to Canada recently they had a little more trouble locating the info for the kids.

I wouldn't rush out and get passports based on some comments on a message board by people trying to scare you. Birth certificates work perfectly well for many.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I don't believe that is correct. My daughter changed her name when she got married with a passport that she had held as a teenager. It may be that it has to be changed within a year of being married, though.

From the US State Department website:
If ...
You are requesting the change less than one year after your passport was issued
Then...
Submit the following by mail:

• Form DS-5504
• Your valid passport
• Your original or certified name change document, such as a marriage certificate or court order (no photocopies or notarized copies)
• One color passport photo

Please note: You will not have to submit any fees unless you request Expedited Service.

If ...
You are requesting the change more than one year after your passport was issued
Then...
If you are eligible to use Form DS-82*, submit the following by mail:

• Form DS-82
• Your valid passport
• Your original or certified name change document, such as a marriage certificate or court order (no photocopies or notarized copies)
• One color passport photo
• All applicable fees

https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/passports/services/correction.html

 

[P'colaBeachBum]

I see a time in the not so distant future where passports will be the norm for ID. We have passports and would never travel outside the US without them. Should something happen you are better off with a Passport.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I see a time in the not so distant future where passports will be the norm for ID. We have passports and would never travel outside the US without them. Should something happen you are better off with a Passport.

I agree, we also have passports.

But, for others, it's still legal for US citizens on a closed loop cruise to travel with just a birth certificate, and (for those 16 and over) at government-issued ID.

It just depends on your comfort level what you do.

 

[bumbershoot]

https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/passports/renew.html

You can renew by mail using Form DS-82 if your most recent passport:

• Is submitted with your application
• Is undamaged (other than normal "wear and tear")
• Was issued when you were age 16 or older
• Was issued within the last 15 years
• Was issued in your current name (or you can document your name change with an original or certified copy of your marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order)

So if she got her passport at 16 or older and it has been less than 15 years since she got that passport, she can renew because she would be able to document that name change. Excellent. (sometimes posting on my phone, where I don't have easy access to good webpages (I despise most mobile sites), is barely worth it! can't find anything until I get on my laptop!)

I wouldn't rush out and get passports based on some comments on a message board by people trying to scare you.

There is no one here trying to scare her into getting a passport. If anyone is reading that into pro-passport posts here, that is not the fault of the writer. Saying "if there's an emergency then this would happen" is NOT trying to scare someone. It's being factual and giving a full answer.

 

[wombat_5606]

From the US State Department website:
If ...
You are requesting the change less than one year after your passport was issued
Then...
Submit the following by mail:

• Form DS-5504
• Your valid passport
• Your original or certified name change document, such as a marriage certificate or court order (no photocopies or notarized copies)
• One color passport photo

Please note: You will not have to submit any fees unless you request Expedited Service.

If ...
You are requesting the change more than one year after your passport was issued
Then...
If you are eligible to use Form DS-82*, submit the following by mail:

• Form DS-82
• Your valid passport
• Your original or certified name change document, such as a marriage certificate or court order (no photocopies or notarized copies)
• One color passport photo
• All applicable fees

https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/passports/services/correction.html

Perhaps this has changed since she married, then, because it has been many years ago.