jdsbucks Posted January 4, 2018 #1 Share Posted January 4, 2018 So, my mother-in-law just realized her passport expires next week (don't ask ;)) and we leave for our cruise next Saturday. If we are cruising out of Miami on Norwegian Escape and coming back to Miami, can she just use her birth certificate as a form of identification? Ive read lots of different answers. We're US citizens if that helps. Thanks in advance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HuliHuli Posted January 4, 2018 #2 Share Posted January 4, 2018 https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/1139/~/documents-needed-to-take-a-cruise Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kerryincork Posted January 4, 2018 #3 Share Posted January 4, 2018 Both drivers licence and birth certificate as long as both are officially state issue. You can got to US Government website and look up requirements for closed-loop cruises. Sent from my SM-N910F using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2naBill Posted January 4, 2018 #4 Share Posted January 4, 2018 Go to passport expediting office and they can probably at least east get her a passport card by next week Sent from my Z956 using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul929207 Posted January 4, 2018 #5 Share Posted January 4, 2018 State issued birth certificate and a driver's license will work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTO-Girl Posted January 4, 2018 #6 Share Posted January 4, 2018 Go to passport expediting office and they can probably at least east get her a passport card by next week Sent from my Z956 using Forums mobile app A passport “card” will do no more than a BC and drivers license. Save your money and get the passport renewal either expedited or just use the birth certificate and drivers license and renew it when you return. Have a wonderful cruise! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare sparks1093 Posted January 4, 2018 #7 Share Posted January 4, 2018 The birth certificate is not a form of identification, it verifies citizenship (and it probably doesn't apply but birth certificates issued in Puerto Rico are not valid if issued prior to 2010). Your mother in law would also need a valid government issued photo ID. If her name is different on her birth certificate and ID then she should bring a document attesting to the name change, such as a marriage certificate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdsbucks Posted January 4, 2018 Author #8 Share Posted January 4, 2018 Thank you all! I also just read somewhere that a passport can't expire within 6 months of your cruise time. Has anyone had any experience with this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leaveitallbehind Posted January 4, 2018 #9 Share Posted January 4, 2018 Thank you all! I also just read somewhere that a passport can't expire within 6 months of your cruise time. Has anyone had any experience with this? That typically is not so much for anything to do with the cruise line but with policies of certain ports of call that may be on the ship's itinerary. We have inadvertently had expiration dates within 6 months on a cruise a number of years ago that were not a problem with our boarding, but the recommendations for a valid picture ID and birth certificate are correct and will suffice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingersvp Posted January 4, 2018 #10 Share Posted January 4, 2018 If she's a US citizen she can travel with her birth certificate and state photo ID, but if the names do not match she will need documentation bridging the gap (i.e. marriage certificate). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare sparks1093 Posted January 4, 2018 #11 Share Posted January 4, 2018 Thank you all! I also just read somewhere that a passport can't expire within 6 months of your cruise time. Has anyone had any experience with this? For most Caribbean cruises that is merely a recommendation. There are some countries that do require you to have 6 months remaining on your passport at the conclusion of your trip (so if you were visiting for 2 months you would actually need 8 months remaining on the day of your arrival) but the only country in the Caribbean that I'm aware of that requires this of cruise ship passengers is Cuba. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flatbush Flyer Posted January 4, 2018 #12 Share Posted January 4, 2018 State issued birth certificate and a driver's license will work. Not if they are cruising on a ship that requires all passengers on all itineraries to produce a passport at embarkation (that means pretty much every premium/luxury line). Also, as mentioned in another post: if you have bins fide proof of your itinerary, you can get an "in person" appointment at a regional passport office. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NMLady Posted January 4, 2018 #13 Share Posted January 4, 2018 Not if they are cruising on a ship that requires all passengers on all itineraries to produce a passport at embarkation (that means pretty much every premium/luxury line).Sent from my iPhone using Forums They are on Norwegian Escape which will not require a passport for the closed loop cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare sparks1093 Posted January 4, 2018 #14 Share Posted January 4, 2018 They are on Norwegian Escape which will not require a passport for the closed loop cruise. The OP is, yes, but someone else may come along who isn't on the Escape who could use the information (which is why I mentioned the issue with PR birth certificates). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texas Jake Posted January 5, 2018 #15 Share Posted January 5, 2018 A passport “card” will do no more than a BC and drivers license. Save your money and get the passport renewal either expedited or just use the birth certificate and drivers license and renew it when you return. Have a wonderful cruise! That's not entirely correct for the passport card which can be used for land and port entry between selected NA countries (Cube excluded). A BC and DL will not allow for the extended train excursion into Canada while on a closed loop Alaskan cruise. I realize a passport card can not be used for international flights but it carries greater weight than a BC and DL for states which are continuing to phase in and replace DL's with compliant DL's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herfnerd Posted January 11, 2018 #16 Share Posted January 11, 2018 That's not entirely correct for the passport card which can be used for land and port entry between selected NA countries (Cube excluded). A BC and DL will not allow for the extended train excursion into Canada while on a closed loop Alaskan cruise. I realize a passport card can not be used for international flights but it carries greater weight than a BC and DL for states which are continuing to phase in and replace DL's with compliant DL's. I think the point she was making is that if they are going to go thru the time and expense of getting a passport card, they might be better off just getting the book Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRF Posted January 11, 2018 #17 Share Posted January 11, 2018 And it takes no longer to get a book than a passport card. They can be done in hours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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