passport question

[3junebugs]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? MD, order is out of PA

My family is planning to go on a cruise in the future to the Bahamas. In looking at the passport application, I see that it requires both parents presence. As of now I have temporary sole custody of our son, whose 10. But that may or may not stay the same come Dec. The NCP and I don't get along so in the event that he refuses to sign, appear at the appointment, provide permission etc - what are my options?

Does it matter that NCP never got his name on our son's birth certificate? He never signed an AOP but we did have a court ordered DNA test in which he was found to be the father some time ago. Should I apply for one now while I have temporary sole custody? Or will does it have to be a final order?

 

[LdiJ]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? MD, order is out of PA

My family is planning to go on a cruise in the future to the Bahamas. In looking at the passport application, I see that it requires both parents presence. As of now I have temporary sole custody of our son, whose 10. But that may or may not stay the same come Dec. The NCP and I don't get along so in the event that he refuses to sign, appear at the appointment, provide permission etc - what are my options?

Does it matter that NCP never got his name on our son's birth certificate? He never signed an AOP but we did have a court ordered DNA test in which he was found to be the father some time ago. Should I apply for one now while I have temporary sole custody? Or will does it have to be a final order?

I would at least try to apply for it now.

 

[Nevergrowup]

When you say "in the future" when are you talking about? Currently, if you depart and come back to the same US port on a cruise, you don't need a passport, just a birth certificate. That can and probably will change, but "future" is too broad. Check the cruising passport requirements and you may not need a passport.

We just went to the Bahamas on a cruise departing and returning Port Canaveral...I used birth certificates. I have clients on a cruise this week, 7 nights to several different islands..again, just birth certificates. Like I said, it is likely that it will change but if your travel is soon then this might make it a bit easier for now.

 

[3junebugs]

When you say "in the future" when are you talking about? Currently, if you depart and come back to the same US port on a cruise, you don't need a passport, just a birth certificate. That can and probably will change, but "future" is too broad. Check the cruising passport requirements and you may not need a passport.

We just went to the Bahamas on a cruise departing and returning Port Canaveral...I used birth certificates. I have clients on a cruise this week, 7 nights to several different islands..again, just birth certificates. Like I said, it is likely that it will change but if your travel is soon then this might make it a bit easier for now.

When did you travel? Because we were supposed to go on a Disney cruise last December - but it didn't pan out. But the travel agent informed us that the requirements had changed and the children would need all passports.

I know in the future is so vague but it all depends on money and when hubby can get off from work. Disney allowed us to extend our trip reservation indefinitely - so it could be this winter *crosses fingers*. But it may have to wait until next year.

 

[Proserpina]

When did you travel? Because we were supposed to go on a Disney cruise last December - but it didn't pan out. But the travel agent informed us that the requirements had changed and the children would need all passports.

I know in the future is so vague but it all depends on money and when hubby can get off from work. Disney allowed us to extend our trip reservation indefinitely - so it could be this winter *crosses fingers*. But it may have to wait until next year.

Updated rules as of June 09

Passport

As of June 1, 2009, passports are required for all travelers, including citizens of the U.S. and Canada, who enter or re-enter the U.S. by air, land or sea.

There are a few notable exceptions pertaining to land and sea border crossings:

* U.S. citizens on cruises that begin and end in the same U.S. port and travel to destinations in Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Bermuda or Central America are able to re-enter the U.S. with proof of citizenship other than a passport or passport card. Acceptable proof of citizenship includes an original or certified copy of your birth certificate and a government-issued photo ID (such as a driver's license). Passports are required for cruises that begin in one U.S. port and end in another.

Children under the age of 16 who are citizens of the U.S. or Canada are exempt from the passport requirement for land and sea border crossings. In lieu of a passport, children are able to use a birth certificate as proof of citizenship for entry into the U.S. by land or by sea. Children entering or re-entering the U.S. by air are required to have a valid passport.

 

[3junebugs]

Updated rules as of June 09

Passport

awesome! thanks dogmatique. So then it doesn't matter that his dad isn't on the birth ceritificate?

 

[Proserpina]

awesome! thanks dogmatique. So then it doesn't matter that his dad isn't on the birth ceritificate?

You're very welcome

Ordinarily with sole custody you do not need the other parent's consent (provided there's nothing in the custody order specifically saying you still need other parent's consent to get the passport). With a temporary order I can't say 100% either way. It shouldn't be an issue if you apply now but stand by in case anyone can clarify.

(the court order is somewhat more important than the actual birth certificate)

 

[Nevergrowup]

Updated rules as of June 09

Passport

I AM a travel agent. And my last cruise was in July. And I have an agent and a client on two different cruises THIS WEEK, using birth certificates. OP, your travel agent for last December was INCORRECT, I also sailed the Disney Wonder last December. For all of my children we used birth certificates, I have a passport. It was on the Disney Wonder, departing and returning at Port Canaveral, stopping in Nassau and Castaway Cay. As I said, the rules could change at any moment, right now, birth certificates are being allowed on cruises (close loop). That is why I asked about the time frame. I advise all of my clients to get them unless they are really soon. Here:

CRUISE TRAVEL

The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) Passport Requirements became effective June 1, 2009, for land and sea borders. While the WHTI requires a valid passport for land and sea travel, a final ruling was issued allowing leniency for “closed-loop” cruises, i.e., sailings that both originate and terminate in the same U.S. port.

Recent guidance received from the Department of Homeland Security indicates the documentary requirements under WHTI for “closed loop” cruises are not limited to cruises that travel only to contiguous territories or adjacent islands. This means U.S. citizens calling on ports in Honduras, Panama, Costa Rica and Belize will also be exempt from the passport requirement.

U.S. citizens taking “closed-loop” cruises are not required to have a passport, but will need proof of citizenship such as an original or certified copy of a birth certificate, a certificate of naturalization, a passport card, an enhanced driver’s license (EDL) as well as a government-issued photo ID. Children are also required to bring proof of citizenship, and if 16 and over, a photo ID is also required. Canadian and Bermudian citizens are required to have a passport for air, land and sea travel, including all Carnival cruises.
Although a passport is not required for U.S. citizens taking “closed loop” cruises, we strongly recommend all guests travel with a passport (valid for at least six months beyond completion of travel). Having a passport will enable guests to fly from the U.S. to a foreign port in the event they miss their scheduled embarkation or to fly back to the U.S. if they need to disembark the ship mid-cruise due to an emergency.

If a cruise begins and ends in different U.S. ports or begins and ends in a foreign port (such as our Alaska cruises and Hawaii cruises) a valid passport or other recognized WHTI-compliant document is required. A valid passport is required if you are traveling on any of our Europe cruises.

For more information, a complete list of WHTI-compliant documents or to obtain a passport application, visit Welcome to Travel.State.Gov.

U.S. Alien Residents need a valid Alien Resident Card. Non-U.S. citizens need a valid passport and a valid, unexpired U.S. Multiple Re-entry Visa, if applicable.


I am telling you, CURRENTLY, birth certificates can be used for close loop cruises, and not just for children.

 

[Nevergrowup]

Dog, we might have actually been attempting to say the same thing, but I just wanted to clarify it, because this issue can be quite confusing for travelers

 

[Proserpina]

Dog, we might have actually been attempting to say the same thing, but I just wanted to clarify it, because this issue can be quite confusing for travelers

Sounds good to me!