Do I need a passport for my 3 year old grandchild before she can board a cruise ship with me?

Question

Do I need a passport for my 3 year old grandchild before she can board a cruise ship with me?

Answer 1

Go to the State Department web site and get the official information!  The rules are changing.  Tap "State Department" and "passport" into your search engine.  

About passports -- it takes quite a while to get a passport these days, even if you pay for expedited service, so you MUST plan well ahead of time.  Also, a certified birth certificate is needed for a passport -- not anything issued by a hospital or church -- and it can take a while to get those, too.  PLAN AHEAD!  

Yes, you will need a notarized statement from parent(s).  

Please note that cruise lines may also have requirements in addition to what the State Department folks say, so be absolutely sure to check with them!  If you don't comply with the cruise line requirements you will NOT be permitted to board the ship and will NOT get a refund!  

Answer 2

Just to reinforce, so you dont fall for the bobos answer above...If YOU need a Passport, your grandchild needs a passport.  And you must have a signed and notarized statement from any and all custodial parents, or, if you have custody, paperwork to prove that fact.

Answer 3

YES.

Answer 4

The new rules absolutely requiring a passport of every person going on a cruise DO NOT go into effect until next year, summer of 2009.  Right now if you board a cruise ship in a US port and will return to a US port, neither you nor your grandchild will be required to have a passport.  What you WILL need is proof of citizenship which can be a passport OR a certified copy of your and the grandchild's birth certificate, PLUS proof of identify.  For you that can be a driver license, or any other government issued photo ID.  For your child you WILL need the notarized letter from her parents stating that they have  given permission for the grandchild to go on the cruise with you.

The information on what you need is on these web sites:

http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/min...

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/a...

Answer 5

YES... You will also need a SIGNED AND NOTARIZED STATEMENT from BOTH parents that says you have their permission to take the child out of the country

Answer 6

No passport but you do need the notorized permission slip signed by both parents.  If you can't get both parents to sign then you would need some documentation as to why they can't sign.