Does anybody know if you need a passport to travel to the Bahamas?

Question

I am taking a cruise and one of the port stops is in the Bahamas. I have a passport for myself, but not my 12 year old son, and his father is not cooperating with me. Will a birth certificate be sufficient? Thanks.

Answer 1

New U.S. Travel Document Requirements
The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative will require all travelers, including U.S. citizens, to and from The Bahamas to have a passport or other accepted document that establishes the bearer’s identity and nationality to enter or re-enter the United States. This is a change from prior travel requirements. The goal is to strengthen border security and facilitate entry into the United States for U.S. citizens and legitimate foreign visitors. In the proposed implementation plan, which is subject to a period of initial public comment, the Initiative will be rolled out in phases, providing as much advance notice as possible to the affected public to enable them to meet the terms of the new guidelines. The proposed time line will be as follows:

January 8, 2007 – Requirement applied to all air and sea travel to or from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.
December 31, 2007 – Requirement extended to all land border crossings as well as air and sea travel.

Answer 2

Birth certificate should suffice but you might want to check with the cruiselines. Some are requesting passports even if a Birth certificate is good enough. Also, if you and your husband are separated you might have to get some sort of consent notarized from him because of custody issues.
The cruise lines should be able to answer all your questions as they deal with these things everyday.

Answer 3

The other people have provided some links to help you out, but in my opinion, a passport is useful, as the fastest. You might want to check with the cruiselines (as the other person said), and/or your travel agency to double check. If not from the U.S., then I'm sure check up requirements from government sites. If you must know about the birth certicifiate if it's sufficent, I'd ask the travel agency/cruiselines to be sure. Good luck!

Answer 4

New Requirements for Travelers


The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 requires that by January 1, 2008, travelers to and from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Panama, Mexico and Canada have a passport or other secure, accepted document to enter or re-enter the United States. In order to facilitate the implementation of this requirement, the Administration is proposing to complete it in phases following a proposed timeline, which will be published in the Federal Register in the near future.

In the proposed implementation plan, which is subject to a period of initial public comment, the Initiative will be rolled out in phases, providing as much advance notice as possible to the affected public to enable them to meet the terms of the new guidelines. The proposed timeline will be as follows:

January 8, 2007 - Requirement applied to all air and sea travel to or from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.
January 1, 2008 - Requirement extended to all land border crossings as well as air and sea travel.
This is a change from prior travel requirements and will affect all United States citizens entering the United States from countries within the Western Hemisphere who do not currently possess valid passports. This new requirement will also affect certain foreign nationals who currently are not required to present a passport to travel to the United States. Most Canadian citizens, citizens of the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda, and to a lesser degree, Mexican citizens will be affected by the implementation of this requirement.

for further questions, check at this website:

http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html

Answer 5

You do not need a passport to take a cruise. You need your birth certificate and a marriage license if you changed your name. Just your son's birth certificate should be fine.

To be safe, always take an extra copy.

Have a good time!!!

Answer 6

No passport required. But EVERYONE will need a passport after December 31, 2006. Just got back from Jamaica and went to the post office IMMEDIATELY to beat the rush!!! Go to Walgreens (7.50) to to get your picture taken though. Much cheaper than the post office (15.00).

Check this site out if you need any more help

http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html

And have a GREAT and safe vaca! Ü

Answer 7

If you do not have a passport, YOU MUST travel before the end of this year. AFTER this year and due to new travel restrictions, EVERYONE will need a valid passport.

They will not accept anything but a valid passport. NO IF, ANDS OR BUTS.

Answer 8

No you don't. The cruise line will send you some paper work for Bahamas with your tickets and itinerary. Just fill that out, give it to the guy when you get off the ship and you're good.

Answer 9

No you dont need a passport just a birth certificate. They also checked my drivers license.

Answer 10

No passport needed.