Passports

Parent Cafe
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<p>DH and I recently (ten days ago) applied for passports because we plan to do some traveling next year. Well, just days after we applied, my fabulous in-laws told us they’re taking the family on a New England/Canada cruise at the end of September. I know our passports will not be back by that time, and we had to send our birth certificates with the application. I wonder if someone here knows the correct information regarding travel during this time as I have received two different answers … one from the cruise line and one from the travel agent. I was told by the cruise line that as long as we have proof that we have applied for our passports, along with photo ID, there will be no problem. The travel agent said we would need to order another birth certificate. Because I do not live in the state in which I was born, I’m not even sure I have time to get another birth certificate. I could order it online, I guess, but I don’t know if it would arrive in time. I do have a booklet from the hospital where I was born that has my name, DOB, raised hospital seal, signature of two nuns and the doctor who delivered me. In the front of the booklet it says it can be used to prove citizenship. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!</p>

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<p>As long as you’re not flying, I don’t think the regulation affects you, though it’s strongly suggested to carry documentation re: citizenship status/birth in the U.S.</p>

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<p>Citation: <a href=“http://www.dhs.gov/xtrvlsec/crossingborders/whtibasics.shtm[/url]”>http://www.dhs.gov/xtrvlsec/crossingborders/whtibasics.shtm&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>The September 30, 2007 rule is applicable only to air travel; but again, I would follow their suggested guidelines for air travel, which are:</p>

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<p>Citation: <a href=“404 - Page Not Found”>404 - Page Not Found;

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<p>With proof (a receipt) that you have applied for a passport along with a driver’s license and a birth certificate with a raised seal, you should be A-OK. I also feel that you have more than enough time to get a valid bc even though you are not in the same state.</p>

<p>One important legal issue in sailing to Canada, is that if you or your DH had a minor conviction (i.e. DUI or marijuana possession years ago), you may be denied leaving the ship and have to stay on board.
Even if you have no scrapes, so to speak, you may want to check out the Canada board at cruisecritic.com. Here is a thread that discussed the minor legal problems for some passengers who were denied entry or had to stay on the ship.
<a href=“http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=502013[/url]”>http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=502013&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>If you have never been to cruisecritic.com before, you may also want to checkout the boards for discussions on the ship & line that you’re sailing on, and the ports of call.</p>

<p>“You haven’t lived until you’ve cruised”
Bon Voyage</p>

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<p>Thanks so much for suggestions from you both. Cruisecritic is a great board and has some good information. I definitely frequent there, especially around cruise time. I’ll place an order for my birth certificate today and hope it arrives in time. Luckily, the only contact DH and I have ever had with the police has been an occasional “reminder” to slow down. A Kentucky State Trooper reminded me earlier this month. :wink: Thankfully, after checking my record he let me off with a warning.</p>

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<p>Proof of being registered to vote might be another way to go. We just drove in and out of Canada. I had only driver’s license (we hadn’t planned to go into Canada, but wanted to see Niagara Falls from that side), but my son and hubby had passports. We actually got a harder time going in to Canada than in to US. But they let us through. Cruising could be different.</p>

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<p>For those of you waiting for your new passport. I applied via mail for a passport renewal on 6/27 and received my new one today (8/30). I feel so much better now that I can flee the country at any moment.</p>

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<p>Wonder how long it would take for a new passport to come…we were told 90-120 days. Put in the paperwork mid-August…for a trip scheduled next June.</p>

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<p>When I checked my status online, it said mine was being processed and should arrive within 10-12 weeks. You can go to the following site to check your status and register your e-mail address for status updates.
<a href=“U.S. Passports”>U.S. Passports;

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<p>S got his in 6 weeks, without paying for priority. Definitely has speeded up</p>

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<p>My sister applied for hers - a renewal - in April and received it last week! She lives in NYC - maybe that office has a higher volume??</p>

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<p>My son’s high school had a half-day of classes on Saturdays. It was wonderful; he got three weeks off at Christmas and finished up in May. For a kid who hated school, it made it bearable.</p>

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<p>I applied for a new passport July 31 and received it just today in the mail. So about a month. In NJ if that matters. I didn’t go with priority either. So you may receive yours in time for your trip.</p>

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<p>If you need your passport soon and it still hasn’t arrived, try your luck with your local Member of Congress. They may be able to expedite the passport process.</p>

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<p>I have no idea how my post above ended up in this thread. I didn’t post to this thread. Please ignore. Thanks.</p>

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<p>^^I love those non-sequitors…they really keep you on your toes!</p>

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<p>LMNOP</p>

<p>My son’s passport came in about 3 months, rather than the 4 they predicted and we didn’t pay extra to expedite.</p>

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<p>I could deal with a 3 month wait–I just want to have the little document in my hot little hand…the sooner the better.</p>

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<p>Mine came in about a month - a new application in MA. Of course, my d had applied in April for a trip in early July. It came in late July.</p>

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<p>Just got daughter’s passport yesterday. It expires in one year since she didn’t supply an official enough birth certificate. Oh well, at least it expires after she gets back from her study abroad.</p>

<p>It did arrive within 4-5 weeks after application, though.</p>

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<p>fireflyscout–I’ve never heard of the 1 year passport!</p>

<p>Just to report in–a little short of 6 weeks from turning in the passport papers and getting the passport delivered to the mailbox. No expedited anything.</p>