Can I use a short form birth certificate for a cruise?

Unless your short form includes the name of at least one parent, it may not be acceptable to cruise.



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Please note that hospital Birth Certificates (baby feet Birth Certificates), as well as photocopies or images of any required travel documents are not accepted for boarding. For sailings departing from U.S. homeports, an official US state-issued Birth Certificate is also accepted.

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A clear, legible copy (photocopy) of a birth certificate that was originally issued by a government agency (state/county/city) or the Department of Health and Vital Statistics. The copy does not need to be notarized or certified.

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Only official U.S. state-issued birth certificates are accepted.

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If you no longer have your birth certificate, you can get in touch with the city or county you were born to get a certified official copy to use on your cruise. There's usually a small fee and waiting period, but it's faster than getting a passport.

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Voter registration cards or Social Security are not considered proof of citizenship. If the child is a newborn and the actual birth certificate has not arrived from the Vital Records Department, we will accept a hospital issued birth certificate.

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If you're a United States citizen going on a “closed loop” cruise, you'll only need to present: Government issued photo identification. Proof of citizenship (an original or copy of your U.S. birth certificate, a Consular report of Birth Abroad, or a Certificate of Naturalization)

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We highly recommend that all U.S. Citizen's cruise with their U.S. Passport book that is valid at least 6 months after your cruise. Guests may also sail with their official US state-issued Birth Certificate and a supporting Government Issued Photo ID...

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If you are a US citizen, you can take a “closed-loop cruise” (one that begins and ends at the same port) to The Bahamas without a passport. Instead, you'll need to present another proof of citizenship such as a birth certificate and a government-issued photo ID.

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Although a passport is not required for U.S. citizens taking cruises that both originate and terminate at the same U.S. port, we, again, strongly recommend all guests travel with a passport (valid for at least six months beyond completion of travel).

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There are no exceptions to this rule. Passport cards, birth certificates, etc., are not accepted when air travel. So, you have to have your US passport for the Bahamas.

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Carnival offers many Caribbean cruise options including sailings that depart and return to U.S. ports like Baltimore, Norfolk and New Orleans. These don't require a passport as they are closed-loop sailings.

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U.S. citizens under age 16 may present a birth certificate or alternative proof of citizenship when entering by land or sea. All travelers must have a passport book for international air travel. Please note that hospital-issued birth certificates, voter registration cards, and affidavits cannot be used.

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What Caribbean Countries Do Not Require a Passport? Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands are two Caribbean destinations that do not require a passport for American citizens when traveling by air or sea. Essentially, these US territories are regarded as domestic travel within the United States.

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If you're traveling to Jamaica via a cruise, then you may not need a valid passport for entry. Instead, you may be able to use a Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) compliant document, such as a driver's license with a birth certificate.

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To clarify, U.S. citizens entering Mexico must present proof of citizenship (such as a certified copy of a birth certificate), photo ID and proof of sufficient funds. A passport and visa are not required of U.S. citizens entering Mexico for tourism or for transit for stays of up to 90 days.

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All travelers are advised to carry a valid passport with them when taking a cruise to Mexico, regardless of their nationality and port of departure. US citizens on closed-loop cruises, meaning they begin and end at the same US port, can travel to Mexico with proof of citizenship other than a passport.

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What Caribbean destinations don't require a passport?
  • Anguilla.
  • Antigua and Barbuda.
  • Aruba.
  • Bahamas.
  • Bermuda.
  • British Virgin Islands.
  • Cayman Islands.
  • Dominica.


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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.

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You don't need a passport if you travel to the Bahamas on a closed-loop cruise. However, you can provide one of the following documents: A passport card. A trusted traveler card.

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No-Passport-Required Destinations
  • U.S. Virgin Islands. A Caribbean vacation isn't out of reach without a passport if you stick to the U.S. Virgin Islands: St. ...
  • Vieques, Puerto Rico. ...
  • Culebra, Puerto Rico. ...
  • San Juan, Puerto Rico. ...
  • Whistler, British Columbia. ...
  • Quebec City, Canada. ...
  • Toronto, Canada. ...
  • Cape Breton Island, Canada.


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