Will a hospital birth certificate work for a cruise?

The birth certificate must be one issued by a local or state government. If you have a hospital birth certificate (so-called “baby feet” certificate), it will not work. Remember — you want something that's officially issued by the city, county, or state as this will be used to prove your citizenship.



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Birth Certificate Information The following are acceptable: An original or copy of a birth certificate issued by a government agency (state/county/city) or the Department of Health and Vital Statistics.

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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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For sailings departing from U.S. homeports, an official US state-issued Birth Certificate is also accepted. Guests age 16 and older that present an official US state-issued Birth Certificate will also need to provide a valid Driver's License or picture ID issued by the government.

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For U.S. Sailings only, U.S. Citizens may cruise using an official US state-issued Birth Certificate and a supporting Government Issued Photo ID, like a driver's license or an identity card.

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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 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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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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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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If you travel to the Bahamas by sea (like a cruise), you can use your passport or substitute one of the following documents: A passport card. A Trusted Traveler card. An enhanced driver's license (sometimes called Real ID) with security features.

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A boarding pass. A government photo I.D. if 16 years of age or older. And a certified birth certificate or certificate of U.S. naturalization.

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This is an acceptable form of Photo ID. A Temporary Driver's License with an affixed photo is acceptable for cruise travel.

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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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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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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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