Does a 12 year old need a passport to go to the Bahamas?

Breadcrumb. Everyone entering The Bahamas requires a valid passport.



Yes, a 12-year-old generally needs a valid U.S. passport book to travel to the Bahamas, especially if traveling by air. For air travel, a passport book is mandatory for all ages, including infants. However, there is a specific exception for "closed-loop" cruises—those that begin and end at the same U.S. port. On these specific cruises, U.S. citizens under the age of 16 may be permitted to travel with just an original birth certificate (or a certified copy) instead of a passport. Despite this exception, travel experts and the State Department strongly recommend a passport for all travelers, as it is required for emergency air travel back to the U.S. if the child misses the ship or has a medical emergency while in the Bahamas.

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In lieu of a passport, children are able to use 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 as proof of citizenship for entry into the U.S. by land or by sea.

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U.S. citizens are generally required to present a valid U.S. passport when traveling to The Bahamas, as well as proof of anticipated departure from The Bahamas. Those traveling to The Bahamas on a cruise may use another Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) compliant document.

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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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If the child does not have a photo ID, the following will be accepted: Original birth certificate. Certified copy of the birth certificate. Medicare card*

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Some airlines permit this for kids as young as 12. When a child has reached this minimum age for traveling alone without unaccompanied-minor procedures, the airline does not require evidence of parental permission to travel alone. If the child has a passport, he or she can even travel internationally.

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If you have your own current identification document (ID), you may apply for a passport if you are age 16 or 17. You must show at least one legal parent or legal guardian is aware that you are applying for a passport. For more information, please see Children's Passport Issuance Alert Program.

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The letter should say I acknowledge that my son/daughter is traveling outside the country with [the name of the adult] with my permission. If one parent has sole custody of the child, a copy of the custody document can take the place of the other parent's letter.

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Just like adults, children in any age group must have a passport book to travel to the Bahamas by plane. However, the U.S. Department of State recommends that all travelers hold a valid passport any time they exit the country.

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Travel Tips for Visiting The Bahamas With Toddlers and Preschoolers. Not unlike babies, traveling with small children to The Bahamas can be a lot of fun. If your little one is a fan of the water, you're in luck – wide, sandy beaches with calm, clear waters are perfect for children to play on.

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The American Citizen Services Section wants to remind all U.S. citizens not to travel outside the United States without a valid U.S. passport. While dual citizens may be able to travel abroad with alternative documentation, all U.S. citizens are required to present a U.S. passport to re-enter the United States.

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Minor children may be able to travel to another country without either one of their parents. Children must have their own passport, visa or other international entry documentation required of adults.

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Our Unaccompanied Minor (UMs) procedures do not apply to unaccompanied Passengers ages 12 through 17. A Young Traveler must have the maturity and capability to travel alone, including but not limited to checking in, passing through the security checkpoint, boarding, deplaning, and claiming luggage.

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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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Royal Caribbean strongly recommends that all guests travel with a valid passport. Learn why a passport is best. Passports must be valid at least 6 months after your cruise ends. Read more about passport requirements.

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No Guest younger than the age twenty-one (21) will be assigned to a stateroom unless accompanied in the same stateroom by an adult twenty-one (21) years old or older. A guest's age is established upon the first date of sailing.

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While not all cruise lines require passport books, some may ask you to present a valid one. Standard Cruises: These cruises start or end at non-U.S. ports, and travelers must thus have valid passport books. Like with air travel, the passport requirement applies to travelers of all ages.

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If the relative or guardian insists on booking separate staterooms, minors must either be directly across the hall or next door. Guests 12 and under may not be assigned to a balcony stateroom without a relative or guardian (25 years of age or older) traveling in the balcony stateroom with them.

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