I know to get back in the US after going to the bahamas you need a certified BC and a photo ID.
My hubby is a naturalized citizen. We have his naturalization certificate and his actual orginal BC from another country..i'm talking original..hole punches on the paper and everything..cool little postage type stamps.. Are we going to end up getting a hassle coming back into the US. What should we expect ? Should we take his BC and his naturalization stuff?(kids and i were all born in the states)
__________________
Carnival Fantasy 6/05
RCCL Sovereign of the Seas 4/07
RCCL Navigator 12/07
RCCL Navigator 11/08
RCCL Liberty 7/4/09
From Carnival: Proper documentation is required at embarkation and thorughout the curise and is the responsibility of the guest. Any guest without proper documentation will not be allowed to board the vessel and no refund of the cruise fare will be issued. US citizens must present proof of citizenship in the form of: a passport (valid or expired for less than 10 years), or, state-issued certified copy of a birth certificate from the Department of Health and Vital Statistics, or a US Military ID(no dependent ID's) or original Naturalization papers. US Alien Residents need a valid Alien Resident Card.
In addition to the above all guests 16 years of age or older must provide an official photo ID. This would be a drivers license or government issued ID from you local drivers license office or Military ID. It is important that names on identification be identical to cruise and airline tickets. Otherwise proof of name change must be presented (ie., marriage licence).
OH gosh, I've read that 10 times on the website and now here I see more..Since my BC has my maiden name I have to bring my Marriage certificate TOO? I hate bringing all these important documents on vacation. What if we lose a bag or get robed or something. YIKES!
__________________
Carnival Fantasy 6/05
RCCL Sovereign of the Seas 4/07
RCCL Navigator 12/07
RCCL Navigator 11/08
RCCL Liberty 7/4/09
If your drivers licence shows your maiden name as your middle name you should be ok..this is proof of name change. If not it would'nt hurt to carry your marriage license. I always say, better to be prepared than sorry. I have only had to show my marriage licensce one time, never been asked for it since. But my drivers license shows my maiden name on it which matches my birth certificate.
Your best bet is to get passports. They cover for everything else. Since your husband is naturalized, it would be even better for him to have one, to avoid the extra hassles involved there. I personally would rather have to replace a passport than all those other original documents!
For those born in the U.S., you can use (for the time being) a certified copy of the birth certificate, issued by the county or state in which you/the kids were born. Plus govt-issued photo ID (i.e. driver's license or official state ID card) for anyone 16 and over, of course. That way you can leave the b.c. originals at home in the safe deposit box or wherever.
You should be aware that a passport may become required for all US citizens to re-enter the country from the Caribbean, South & Central America as of the end of this year. Such a ruling is being considered as part of the Homeland Security laws.
They are expensive. But remember you will probably need them by next year, at least if you hope to continue cruising. You might start by getting them for yourselves, or at least for your husband, first, and phase it in, just like the govt plans to phase the need for them in. And look into getting certified copies of bc's for everyone else so you don't have to carry the originals with you. Good luck!
Linear Mode
