bdcuts Posted March 20, 2014 #1 Share Posted March 20, 2014 I'm traveling in May to try the Bahamas do I need a passport or can i use my birth certificate? Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
champagne123 Posted March 20, 2014 #2 Share Posted March 20, 2014 (edited) I'm traveling in May to try the Bahamas do I need a passport or can i use my birth certificate? Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using Tapatalk Although it is best to have a passport...it is not required. You need a PHOTO ID however....and birth certificate Oops...meant AND birth certificate Edited March 20, 2014 by champagne123 xxxx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chengkp75 Posted March 20, 2014 #3 Share Posted March 20, 2014 Although it is best to have a passport...it is not required. You need a PHOTO ID however....not birth certificate That would be a photo ID and a birth certificate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare sparks1093 Posted March 20, 2014 #4 Share Posted March 20, 2014 (edited) Although it is best to have a passport...it is not required. You need a PHOTO ID however....not birth certificate A US citizen traveling on a closed loop cruise within the WHTI who is 16 or over needs both a government issued photo ID and a government issued birth certificate (or other proof of citizenship such as a naturalization certificate or consular report of birth abroad). You have to analyze you risk about missing the ship inport or having to leave the cruise early (such as for an emergency at home) in which case you would need a passport to fly home. You would still get home without it but it could take some time and could be pricey (depending of course on the circumstances). Edited March 20, 2014 by sparks1093 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keywest1 Posted March 20, 2014 #5 Share Posted March 20, 2014 That would be a photo ID and a birth certificate. Birth certificate also must be a certified copy with a raised seal. Hospital or souvenir certificates won't work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare sparks1093 Posted March 20, 2014 #6 Share Posted March 20, 2014 Birth certificate also must be a certified copy with a raised seal. Hospital or souvenir certificates won't work. Nope, just a birth certificate issued by a government authority, they don't all have raised seals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bibble Posted March 20, 2014 #7 Share Posted March 20, 2014 I'm traveling in May to try the Bahamas do I need a passport or can i use my birth certificate? Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using Tapatalk As long as you're cruising, and not flying. I do assume, since you asked here, that you're cruising, but I'm just covering all bases... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIG_Steve Posted March 20, 2014 #8 Share Posted March 20, 2014 Birth certificate also must be a certified copy with a raised seal. Hospital or souvenir certificates won't work. Certified yes, not sure (?) a certified copy has a raised seal though. Photocopies of the original aren't acceptable either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bdcuts Posted March 20, 2014 Author #9 Share Posted March 20, 2014 Thanks all!! Just needed some reassurance Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mishka422 Posted March 20, 2014 #10 Share Posted March 20, 2014 Yes, state issued birth certificate and driver's license. Make sure your license is not expired! That happened to someone on the last cruise I was on and they wouldn't let them board....it was expire 1 week. Some counties have watermark paper where others use a seal that stamps the grooves into the paper. Every county/state is different. Also, since I can't tell if you are a man or a woman, if your birth certificate name is different than your driver's license name (marriage name change, etc.) you will need to also have a state issued copy of your marriage license showing the progression of your name. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare sparks1093 Posted March 20, 2014 #11 Share Posted March 20, 2014 Certified yes, not sure (?) a certified copy has a raised seal though. Photocopies of the original aren't acceptable either. The regs allow a copy and I used a copy to board our CCL cruise (CCL does say that a readable photocopy is acceptable), but not all cruise lines allow this. Of course an original is always best but it is important to keep in mind that copies may be used (such as when someone leaves their birth certificate at home and has it faxed to the port). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keywest1 Posted March 20, 2014 #12 Share Posted March 20, 2014 https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/1139/related/1 Here is a link to Customs and Border patrol information (copy & paste). They are the people you have to satisfy, not the cruiseline. Cruiseline just wants to make sure you won't be a permanent fixture on their ship because you don't have the proper documents to get back into the U.S. :eek: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwjoe Posted March 20, 2014 #13 Share Posted March 20, 2014 Here is a link to Customs and Border patrol information (copy & paste). They are the people you have to satisfy, not the cruiseline. Theoretically you are correct; practically, CBP holds the cruise line responsible for ensuring you have correct documents, so it's the cruise line that you have to satisfy in order to board. You don't actually get to see CBP until your return. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julia1969 Posted March 20, 2014 #14 Share Posted March 20, 2014 Certified yes, not sure (?) a certified copy has a raised seal though. Photocopies of the original aren't acceptable either. I was born in Lansing Illinois and have a Certified copy of my birth certificate and it does not have a raised seal. It does have a stamp (in black) that says "Certified" certificate of birth but it is not raised. I have a passport now, but I just wanted add an FYI for those who may be confused. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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