Do you need a birth certificate to go on a cruise?

U.S. citizens on closed-loop cruises will be able to enter or depart the country with proof of citizenship, such as an Enhanced Driver's License (EDL), a government-issued birth certificate (issued by the Vital Records Department in the state where he or she was born) or passport, and if 16 or older, a government ...



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U.S. Domestic Cruises
  • U.S. Passport.
  • Passport Card.
  • State Enhanced Driver's License.
  • Certificate of U.S. Naturalization.
  • Native American Indian Card.
  • US-born citizens may also use a birth certificate (issued by a government agency and accompanied by government-issued photo I.D.)


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Despite these international stops, only open-loop sailing requires a passport for all travelers. For U.S. citizens, closed-loop sailing typically doesn't require anything more than personal identification, like a state-issued driver's license, and a birth certificate proving citizenship.

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Identification. For most cruises, you'll need a passport book that's valid for at least six months from the day your sailing ends.

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

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Do I need a passport? We recommend that everyone taking a cruise from the United States have a passport book. Though some “closed-loop” cruises may not require a U.S. passport, we recommend bringing yours in case of an emergency, such as an unexpected medical air evacuation or the ship docking at an alternate port.

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You can cruise to quite a few destinations without a passport, as long as you have proof of citizenship and a government-issued photo ID. A variety of documents are accepted as proof of citizenship, including a state-certified U.S. birth certificate.

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If you take closed loop cruises (meaning your trip begins and ends at a U.S. port), you can sail to a variety of dreamy destinations as a U.S. citizen without a passport. For “closed-loop” cruises, U.S. citizens will need to provide: A boarding pass. A government photo I.D.

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A Certificate of Citizenship is issued by the U.S. once the adoption is finalized. Guests may obtain a copy of a birth certificate by contacting: The Department of Health and Vital Statistics at: www.vitalchek.com. If the guest has laminated their birth certificate, it is acceptable.

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Acceptable proof of citizenship includes a U.S. state-issued original or certified copy of their birth certificate (hospital certificates are not acceptable) or a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or a Certificate of Naturalization and a government-issued photo ID (such as a driver's license).

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Even if the cruise is only visiting destinations within the British Isles Common Travel Area (which includes the UK, Ireland, the Isle of Man, and the Channel Islands), you must still take a passport.

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United States and Canadian Citizens must have either a valid passport or valid documents as defined by the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). Visit U.S. Customers and Border Protecion (CBP) website for additional information on WHTI compliant documents.

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Europe and Transatlantic Cruises Guests are required to carry a Passport valid for at least six months beyond the completion of travel, from their country of citizenship AND a valid Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551), that includes a photo I.D.

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Technically, yes – U.S. citizens can present a state-certified birth certificate and government-issued photo ID to sail on most cruises departing from the U.S. But a passport is the more efficient, secure option.

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Passports must be valid for at least 6 months after your cruise ends. Read more about passport requirements. Guests age 16 and older whose ARC has no photo must present a valid government issued photo ID.

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An open-jaw sailing is a cruise that begins in one port and concludes in a different port of call. These are rather uncommon types of cruises, since most cruises are closed-loop sailings. The best reason to go on an open-jaw sailing is the ship can travel further during one voyage and visit more ports.

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It will be necessary to visit the U.S. Embassy and get an emergency passport to be able to come home. And this process will be time-consuming, complicated, and expensive. Guaranteed.

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