17 year old with student ID?

Yes we are flying, but she's under 18 so she doesn't need any ID to fly.

I thought photo ID was needed for age 16 and over.

Nope

https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/identification

TSA does not require children under 18 to provide identification when traveling with a companion within the United States.

Though if we can score a passport it's pretty moot.

Bottom line: call RCI with the ID question

Calling RCI is the wrong thing to do. RCI has NOTHING to do with establishing appropriate documentation for returning to the country. Unless it is a black and white issue, (and this is not) their advise would be less than reliable.

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I'm not trying to be rude. I also come from what I would consider a stable, functional and at least financially stable family that can afford vacations like this. I'm just trying to say, there are kids out there who don't have that luxury and getting parents to deal with international travel can be, shall we say, a challenge. I'm being vague and it may come off as condescending but really, I'm just trying to avoid spelling out personal information about the situation of someone else's family online, not disparage anyone for their privilege (as I also consider myself quite privileged).

I think it’s nice of you not to give up on her and to help show her that families can extend beyond your house. It’s understandable that parents who haven’t found it necessary to obtain those items for her at this point in her life would likely not get those things done in a timely manner for your cruise (if at all). I totally disagree with the person who said that it’s too much work to do for someone else’s child...sometimes those are the people who need someone to take the time to reach out and care for them the most, and I think it’s great that she has you in her corner.

As I said before, I think the school ID and birth certificate will suffice if it’s the last resort, but I would definitely make some attempts to help her obtain a passport if possible, or at least a state issued ID or learners permit.

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I thought photo ID was needed for age 16 and over.

Two different agencies in DHS, two different requirements. For CBP on a closed loop cruise a photo ID is required for 16 and over. For TSA for a domestic flight photo ID is required for 18 and over.

Two different agencies in DHS, two different requirements. For CBP on a closed loop cruise a photo ID is required for 16 and over. For TSA for a domestic flight photo ID is required for 18 and over.

Thank-you, I could have sworn it used to be 16 for flying too. Our daughter was tall for her age and we were always asked asked for her ID when she was 14/15.

Me......................I would hesitate to take someone else's child out of the country without a passport. I'm a little surprised that you didn't insist on it when you agreed to have the child travel with you.

 

Why not????? It's not necessary, and it is the Caribbean Islands, not some far off remote area. I have done this numerous times, without a second thought. (No need to reply with all the what if's that can happen since everyone knows you can't fly without it, etc etc etc).

 

Can you speak to her parents about this? I would also not send my own child out of the country with another family without a passport.

 

Why not? I have. I did it all the time, for our kids, with us, and without us.

 

Absent that, even if a student ID "sounds" ok, I would still want a government issued one - the one that the DMV issues for non-drivers.

 

They actually consider student ID's Government issued. The school board is a government agency. Some states you can not get a license at 16 and Kids travel all the time under this. The ID is to match a picture with a name.

 

 

Personally check that birth certificate to make sure that it is properly certified.

 

If it is ordered from the government, its a BC.

 

I understand that this all may be "difficult", but after all, you have agreed to take her. The least her family can do is get her documentation in proper order.

 

And definitely get medical permission forms signed and notarized.

 

Do you all have travel insurance?

No need for travel insurance. I never travel with it, and have never had it. In the event of a medical issue, I have insurance. The other "what if's" are like winning the jack pot in the casino. The odds are the same.

Legally both parents have to be present at the same time to obtain the passport, unless one parent has sole LEGAL custody, not just sole physical custody. Check the paperwork her dad gave you to make sure if specifies that he has both (they should both be listed separately).

Not accurate. 16 and above only need to show "parental awareness". In this particular case, since the 17 year old doesn't have an acceptable ID to apply for a passport (school ID alone does not suffice, but would work in conjunction with a social security card), ONE parent would have to show their ID instead.

No need for travel insurance. I never travel with it, and have never had it. In the event of a medical issue, I have insurance. The other "what if's" are like winning the jack pot in the casino. The odds are the same.

Poor advice regarding insurance ! You may have coverage for a medical issue, but most people do not, including Medicare. Even if a person has medical insurance they still need to be aware of evacuation insurance. Accidents and illnesses can happen to all age groups.

Poor advice regarding insurance ! You may have coverage for a medical issue, but most people do not, including Medicare. Even if a person has medical insurance they still need to be aware of evacuation insurance. Accidents and illnesses can happen to all age groups.

I actually received similar advice from a friend today. She tried to convince me that the medical care on the islands is perfectly adequate, and much cheaper than what we have here in the states. I had to point out, while on the ship, only so much can be treated. And what if we are on an island, need to visit the hospital, and miss the ship, etc...?

No one LIKES paying for insurance, until they need to submit a claim.

I used to believe the additional insurance was a waste, but when DD had an allergic reaction to shellfish (in the air) in St Maarten, I started to worry about the "what ifs". Never gave it a thought before, not even when we were traveling with DD's friends. Thank goodness we were lucky.

No need for travel insurance. I never travel with it, and have never had it. In the event of a medical issue, I have insurance. The other "what if's" are like winning the jack pot in the casino. The odds are the same.

As for the passport issue I perceive that it would be harder for me as a non-parent to arrange this when out of the country if something happened and it is a hassle that I don't want to deal with so if we were responsible for someone else's kid on a cruise (which isn't very likely) then I too would insist on a passport for said progeny.

I also have medical insurance and wouldn't be too upset with losing the price of the cruise in the event something happened to keep us from going, but a medical evacuation would cause financial ruin, so I insure against it. Since the comprehensive plans aren't that much more than medevac only coverage that's what I get, because my medical insurance will only pay a certain amount and then only to an in network provider and while losing the price of the cruise wouldn't be catastrophic it would still be nice to have that money back in order to plan another trip.

... RCI has NOTHING to do with establishing appropriate documentation for returning to the country....

True, but not the whole story. I agree that appropriate government agencies must be consulted. But there are enough examples reported on cc of cruise line policies being out of step with regulations. One should always check cruise line policies regarding appropriate documentation. Ultimately those policies will decide if one is able to board or not.

Well I think we're ok now and going to try and get a passport route since it appears we don't need a driver's license for that as I thought. Though still trying to decipher the state department info.

 

They say:

 

 

 

 

Which to me reads like she doesn't need a photo ID, but her dad will need to bring his (as the parent for her). But from their list of acceptable secondary documents it sounds like if that's not the case we should be able to get by with presenting her student id and an "Identifying Witness" statement from her father or myself.

Unless the dad has sole legal custody both parents MUST be there when applying. The alternative is to have a form signed and notarized by the other parent:

https://eforms.state.gov/Forms/ds3053.pdf

Unless the dad has sole legal custody both parents MUST be there when applying. The alternative is to have a form signed and notarized by the other parent:

 

https://eforms.state.gov/Forms/ds3053.pdf

I really wish people would stop and actually READ. The minor child is 17! Last I checked, that's OLDER than 16. If you look at the form you attached, it is for "ISSUANCE OF A U.S. PASSPORT TO A MINOR UNDER AGE 16". It is likely one parent would have to be there with the minor when applying, to establish identity with the parent's ID. That's it. Even in the case of 16 and under, if one parent isn't able to attend, they can complete a "statement of consent". Been there, done all of this.

I really wish people would stop and actually READ. The minor child is 17! Last I checked, that's OLDER than 16. If you look at the form you attached, it is for "ISSUANCE OF A U.S. PASSPORT TO A MINOR UNDER AGE 16". It is likely one parent would have to be there with the minor when applying, to establish identity with the parent's ID. That's it. Even in the case of 16 and under, if one parent isn't able to attend, they can complete a "statement of consent". Been there, done all of this.

Wow. Nice.

Wow. Nice.

Just tired of bad information being passed off as fact. When my daughter was a minor I got a lot of bad information here.

Just tired of bad information being passed off as fact. When my daughter was a minor I got a lot of bad information here.

I get that but there is no need to be rude and "yell". It is not necessary.

Thank-you, I could have sworn it used to be 16 for flying too. Our daughter was tall for her age and we were always asked asked for her ID when she was 14/15.

Had same issue when my Daughter and Son were 10/12 looked 17/18, Son almost 6 foot. "What do you mean they don't have a Drivers Licence?"

Hoping someone can verify, I've seen mixed things online. We are taking my son's girlfriend on our cruise this summer, but she has no ID. She is 17 years old, we had to order a copy of her birth certificate for her so we have that now. She does not have her drivers license and we don't have time to deal with that so we'd have to get her a state ID card. However I noticed in the online checkin that where it asks for a form of photo ID, one of the options listed is a student ID card, which she does have.

 

Are we really ok using that along with a birth certificate? I'd normally say let's be safe and get a state ID but, well, there are family issues involved and let's just say getting a copy of her birth certificate has been a real nightmare, and as someone who is not her parent or legal guardian I can't do much to get her an ID card so I'm a little worried it won't happen...

What travel documents do I need to board a Royal Caribbean cruise ship (U.S. Citizens)?

A For US Sailings - US Citizens need a copy of their official Birth Certificate and a supporting Government Issued Photo ID, Hospital Birth Certificates are not accepted (baby feet Birth Certificates). We highly recommend guest sail with their valid US Passport with 6 months validity past their cruise.

For International Sailings- US Citizens require a valid Passport and the corresponding visa required for entry and exit from the country.

It is important that the name on your reservation be exactly as it is stated on your passport or other official proof of nationality. If your name has changed since your document was issued (e.g., marriage or divorce), it is required that you update the document with the new name or provide an official supporting document (e.g., a state, county or province issued marriage license, divorce decree or legal name change document) of the name change. All documents must be the original or a notarized copy. Additionally, if you are using an identification (e.g., driver's license) and a citizenship document ( e.g., birth certificate), then BOTH documents must match the name on your reservation. Otherwise, it may result in delay or possible denial of boarding.

What forms of ID are required for minors traveling on Royal Caribbean?

A A U.S. citizen under the age of 16 will be able to present either an original, notorized or certified copy of his or her birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad issues by DOS, or Certificate of Naturalization issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Note: Baptismal papers and hospital certificates of birth are not acceptable. Voter registration cards or Social Security cards are not considered proof of citizenship.

It is important that the name on your reservation be exactly as it is stated on your passport or other official proof of nationality. If your name has changed since your document was issued (e.g., marriage or divorce), it is required that you update the document with the new name or provide an official supporting document (e.g., a state, county or province issued marriage license, divorce decree or legal name change document) of the name change. All documents must be the original or a notarized copy. Additionally, if you are using an identification (e.g., driver's license) and a citizenship document ( e.g., birth certificate), then BOTH documents must match the name on your reservation. Otherwise, it may result in delay or possible denial of boarding.

There is nothing in the regulations that specifies that the government issued ID has to be state issued, ID's issued by local government entities are just as valid. Yes, getting a state issued ID card is an option, but applying for a passport involves the same process and maybe even less time since the DMV isn't involved.;)

Correct, the regulations just say "government issued." My point is that most school ID's that I've seen are pretty amateur looking, could easily be faked, and I would not be surprised to see their authenticity questioned. Better to be on the safe side and get a more widely recognized ID, like a DL, state ID card, etc. The passport means her parents have to be involved, so it's possibly that a getting a state ID would be much easier for her.

My point is that most school ID's that I've seen are pretty amateur looking, could easily be faked, and I would not be surprised to see their authenticity questioned. Better to be on the safe side and get a more widely recognized ID, like a DL, state ID card, etc. The passport means her parents have to be involved, so it's possibly that a getting a state ID would be much easier for her.

Indeed. My son is a sophomore and all it lists on his school issued ID is his name, photo, grade and the high school's name.

While I think it's best to travel with a passport, i agree that in this particular situation the OP will have a much easier time getting a state ID for this girl than a passport. Plus, passports cost around $180.

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Unless the father has sole custody, you will need signed permission from BOTH parents.

 

And if the Father does have sole custody, have a copy of the court order that shows this.

Agreed. I witnessed a family off to the side at check in frantically calling the child's mother because all they had was the father's signature on the notarized form. We boarded and never saw them again...so not sure if they ever got a hold of her in time, or not.

I'm not going to take sides in the lively debate on this post. Just offer some basic advice.

"IT" happens. And when "IT" happens, it usually isn't a good time for "IT" to happen. So, to prevent this from going bad to worse, I would take the minimal step of getting a State issued ID, if possible. Prefer the passport, but at least a State issued ID. There are just too many places where someone could decide the ID is bad. Regardless of what is on a page or site somewhere.... standing in the cruise terminal/airport with a RCL/TSA/ICE/PD who knows who official means added stress and possible delay or cancellation of the trip for some or all. If the minor has the certified birth certificate, its possible you have what you need for him/her to get the State ID.

Could the school ID work? Maybe

Will the state ID work? I bet it will.

Will a passport work? Yes.

So, OP, pick your solution that best fits your situation based on the time, cooperation, effort, etc that you have or can get to solve this.

You've received lots of great advice. But, minimize the possible stress if you can with a fairly easy solution.

Had same issue when my Daughter and Son were 10/12 looked 17/18, Son almost 6 foot. "What do you mean they don't have a Drivers Licence?"

I traveled on a student ID. It was a few years back and allowed eventually, but it was a nightmare. Every check point they had to call over supervisors for the "can we accept this?" conversation. This happened several times through the airport, just for a domestic flight, and I was with my own mom. I wish we'd taken the time to get a "real" ID as it would have saved so much stress.