TRAVEL update. Kids and Passports

[RichNKatHolly]

I just received this info from my TA. Apparently the kids are all going to need passports soon. Not sure if this counts for the cruises - but it must and that is probably why she emailed it to me. HTH

Hello all
This is directly from the U.S. Department of State website. Anyone traveling outside of the U.S. will now be required to have a passport, birth certificates alone will no longer be accepted.

If you are traveling within the next few months or during the summer of 2005 it seems that you will still be able to use the birth certificate with a raised seal and photo ID for anyone age 16 and over.

Passports are good for 10 years for anyone age 16 and over. 5 years for anyone up to the age of 15

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2225.html


Josephine
Small World Vacations, Inc.

 

[NotUrsula]

American kids have needed their own passports for years now anywhere that an American adult has needed one, since 1990 at least.

What has changed is what destinations you need a passport for. Apparently, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean are going to be subject to stricter passport control on the return into US territory. http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2224.html

 

[RichNKatHolly]

American kids have needed their own passports for years now anywhere that an American adult has needed one, since 1990 at least.

What has changed is what destinations you need a passport for. Apparently, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean are going to be subject to stricter passport control on the return into US territory. http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2224.html

Sorry, I knew that - I should've stated that this would apply to the cruises. We didn't use one for DD in Jan but will get one for her for Nov. We would like to do Ireland someday soon so we really need one anyway.

 

[MrsPete]

I see that you're traveling in November 2005 -- no problem. The website says that the tenative date for passport-requirements for the Caribbean (where you'll be on the Disney Wonder) will be required beginning December 31, 2005.

If you want to buy a passport, by all means, do. But if you have no further plans for travel outside the US, you don't have to do so just for this cruise.

 

[mom2kazkids]

Our kids have passports, but not for traveling alone, to show that they are American citizens, since I could not see getting them a certificate of citizenship that costs a mint and takes forever to get.

Our kids were adopted in Sept 2001 from Almaty, Kazakhstan. Now in 23 days we are heading out to see the mouse.

Barb

 

[RichNKatHolly]

Our kids have passports, but not for traveling alone, to show that they are American citizens, since I could not see getting them a certificate of citizenship that costs a mint and takes forever to get.

Our kids were adopted in Sept 2001 from Almaty, Kazakhstan. Now in 23 days we are heading out to see the mouse.

Barb

Have a great time!

A passport is also just so much easier as a form of ID.

K

 

[newholidayx2]

I just saw something this morn about this
DH, DS (will be 14 at cruise) and I are booked on DCL Aug 06 - guess we'll be needing those passports
cruised 03 w/just birth certs

 

[alloyd1170]

Keep in mind that a passport is a good investment even if its not required yet. If you are on a cruise and get sick or miss the ship in another country, it could be a real hassle and expensive to try to get back home without a passport. On a recent trip to Nassau, a woman in our group (and several other people on our flight) were denied boarding because there were issues with their birth certificates (so old the seal wasnt raised enough anymore, etc). With the way things are in the world these days, its a good idea to have one. Who knows when a surprise trip might arise and Id sure be mad to spend $150+ for a rush job, or miss out because I didnt already have one! I got my son one (and will for the next baby) right after he was born. They can take several weeks to get, so plan ahead, especially now that they will be required.

alison