Kids Identification

[LOVEMYMO]

Question for my sister. She is taking her 3 DD on their first cruise - last minute booking. They do not have passports. They are going to the Bahamas. I read that they do not need passports if they leave from and return to a U.S. port. But they will need Certified Birth Certificates and Gov't issued picture ID's. Where do the children get the Gov't issued picture ID's? Sorry if this is a silly question - but I have no clue. :confused:

 

Thanks in advance!

[Sparkygirl]

No photo ID needed for children

 

 

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[LOVEMYMO]

No photo ID needed for children

 

 

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Thank you! So just their birth certificates will suffice?

[Sparkygirl]

Yes, my daughter has a passport at 4 she looks nothing like her 9 month old self. A photo ID is pointless. The customs agents did ask her to tell them her name, her age and who she was traveling with upon our return in Feb.

 

 

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[funredhead]

Just as a word of warning, having experienced it first hand... The birth certificate must be a certified copy with the raised seal.

The seal was not very raised on my children's certificate on a previous cruise and we were detained. Eventually, we were allowed to board. But, it was an anxious 60 minutes. After that experience, I ordered passports for my kids.

 

Hope your sister has a great trip!

[sixesandeights]

Question for my sister. She is taking her 3 DD on their first cruise - last minute booking. They do not have passports. They are going to the Bahamas. I read that they do not need passports if they leave from and return to a U.S. port. But they will need Certified Birth Certificates and Gov't issued picture ID's. Where do the children get the Gov't issued picture ID's? Sorry if this is a silly question - but I have no clue. :confused:

 

Thanks in advance!

 

Children under 16 do not need a photo id. To more directly answer your question however you can get a photo id made at the DMV. It is an Identification card only, but again this is not needed for children under 16.

 

6&8

[sparks1093]

Just as a word of warning, having experienced it first hand... The birth certificate must be a certified copy with the raised seal.

The seal was not very raised on my children's certificate on a previous cruise and we were detained. Eventually, we were allowed to board. But, it was an anxious 60 minutes. After that experience, I ordered passports for my kids.

 

Hope your sister has a great trip!

 

There is no requirement in the regulations for a raised seal (many states don't even use them any longer) and either you cruised shortly after the regulations were promulgated and there was a lot of uncertainty or the person that helped you was on a power trip.

[meggie711]

Yes, my daughter has a passport at 4 she looks nothing like her 9 month old self. A photo ID is pointless. The customs agents did ask her to tell them her name, her age and who she was traveling with upon our return in Feb.

 

 

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Interesting! Hadn't thought about this aspect as we will be cruising with our son for the first time. Are these the basic questions that kids are asked? I will talk with him ahead of time, as we have been having a lot of discussions lately about talking to strangers (he's 5).

[Freckle53]

My 10 year old wasn't asked anything when we came through customs in Baltimore. I don't think there is any requirement for them to question minors. I think it's just like how you sometimes get chatty cashiers at the grocery store who talk to little kids and sometimes you don't.

[cb at sea]

Under 16 only needs their state issued BC...that's all!