Going on a cruise in 7 1/2 weeks, but my passport is expired, and I don't have a birth certificate with a seal. What are my options?
I'm a natural-born US citizen. I got a passport back in March 2000 for a trip to Germany. Of course, that was more than 10 years ago, so the passport is expired, and being more than 15 years ago (15 years and 4 months now), is not eligible to be renewed. I need to apply for a passport as a first-time applicant.
The trouble is that I'm leaving for a cruise that will be making stops in Canada in 7 1/2 weeks (September 5th, to be exact). This WOULD be enough time to get a new passport, but the birth certificate I got from my parents doesn't have a official seal on it, and from what I've read about the rules on birth certificates, the certificate I have will likely not be accepted by the office when I attempt to get a new passport. It came from a US Navy base hospital, and the entire thing is a photocopy except for a signature from the someone who's rank appears to be "PN1", whatever that means. Nowhere on it are any embossed/raised seals.
According to the California Department of Public Health website, it will take about four weeks to receive a certified birth certificate, which wouldn't give me enough time to use it to get my passport.
From what I've read, I could use that birth certificate and my USA driver's license to get into Canada, but that getting back into the USA absolutely requires a passport.
What options do I have? Am I screwed?
Best Answer
If the cruise is a closed-loop cruise (i.e., it departs and returns to the same port in the US), then you don't necessarily need a passport:
U.S. Citizens on closed-loop cruises will be able to enter or depart the country on the cruise with proof of citizenship, such as an original or copy of his or her birth certificate (issued by the Vital Records Department in the state where he or she was born) and, if 16 or older, a government issued photo ID. ... The United States does not require you to have a passport. (A Consular report of Birth Abroad issued by the Department of State or a Certificate of Naturalization is also acceptable.)
HOWEVER, it is possible that one or more of the Caribbean Islands on your itinerary, does require you to have a passport to enter their country. In that case, it is very possible that the cruise line will require you to have a passport to board, even if it is not a U.S. requirement.
Note also that Canada will accept a birth certificate as proof of citizenship for entry:
If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you must carry proof of citizenship such as a passport, birth certificate, a certificate of citizenship or naturalization, a U.S. Permanent Resident Card, or a Certificate of Indian Status along with photo identification. If you are a U.S. permanent resident, ensure you carry proof of your status such as a U.S. Permanent Resident Card.
I would check all of this with the cruise line ahead of time to confirm that you'll be OK to board the boat without a passport. I'm sure that this situation is not infrequent among cruise passengers.
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Do you need a passport to get back on the cruise ship?
You can use the passport card to reenter the United States at sea ports of entry from Mexico, Canada, Bermuda, and the Caribbean. However, if you are not able to return on the cruise ship for any reason (e.g., for an emergency evacuation, you will need a passport book to fly back to the United States.How long must a passport be valid for a cruise?
Passports are required for all cruise travel to all other International destinations. There is also a rule called the Six Month Passport Validity Rule. This rule states that U.S. Passports should be valid for at least six months after the last day of your trip.What happens if you try to use an expired passport?
By definition, an expired passport isn't valid. That said, if it's all you have, you should still bring it if you're traveling within the United States. You can get on a domestic flight without valid identification IF you can convince the TSA that you are who you say you are, and an expired passport might help.Can I get off the cruise ship in Mexico without a passport?
If you are cruising to Mexico on a closed-loop cruise, (a journey that starts and ends at the same U.S. port), you can enter without a passport and show a state-issued ID and an original birth certificate instead.Cruise Tips | Passport Expired? DO THIS....
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