The Lollipop Road

You can read more about this topic, as well as many other family cruising topics, in our new book–Cruising With Kids: A Guide To The Perfect Family Cruise Vacation. Visit our dedicated Cruising With Kids website for more details.

Travel document requirements for kids (children under age 16) entering the United States are different than those for adults.  Although seemingly simple, there are some twists and turns to navigate.

Obtaining a passport for your child is the best way to ensure that you’ll be able to travel freely to and from the United States.  However, obtaining a passport for a minor requires more than just a few documents.  Typically, at least one parent or guardian must appear with the minor child and a host of documents that not only establish the child’s eligibility to obtain a US Passport, but also proof of relationship between the parent/guardian applicant and the minor.  Note that minor passports are only valid for 5 years, but are a little bit cheaper than an adult passport.

Although minors are also eligible for the U.S. Passport Card (good at land and sea borders), obtaining one for a minor child is a waste of time and money.  Under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), children under 16 years of age can cross land and sea borders into the United States from contiguous countries (Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and certain Caribbean nations) with an original or copy of their birth certificate, Naturalization Certificate or Consular Report of Birth Abroad.  Children under the age of 19 traveling with an organizational group may also be subject to these less restrictive rules when accompanied by an informational letter on organizational letterhead.

However, all children, regardless of age must hold a U.S. Passport to travel by air into the United States.  A passport for air travel to/from the U.S. Virgin Islands (St. Thomas, St. John, St. Croix), Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands and other U.S. Possessions is not necessary for adults or children.  However, be aware that connecting stops in a foreign country may require a passport even though your destination is a U.S. Possession.

Buried in all of these regulations is one last exception.  If you are traveling on a closed loop cruise (defined as departing from and returning to the same U.S. port) to ports within the WHTI, you do not need a passport, but rather can use one of the documents referenced above.  This exception only impacts adults 16 and over as minor children would already be exempted from needing a passport under the WHTI land and sea requirements for minors.

Be careful, although your intention may be to return to the United States via a land crossing or sea port, an emergency may force you to fly into the United States.  Because the only acceptable document when entering via air is a valid U.S. Passport, not having one can cause unnecessary delays.  It may not stop you from entering the United States, but it will not make it easy.  You’ll need an emergency or limited passport or other travel document from a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.  The lost and stolen passport procedures will give you a good idea as to the process, although the Department of State has the ability to bypass the formal procedures and issue temporary travel documents in a dire emergency.

Stay safe when traveling abroad.  Always be aware of the requirements to enter and exit the countries that you visit.  Keep copies of your travel documents and know where the U.S. Embassy is located.  Also be sure to bring a letter of authorization from any non-traveling parent or legal guardian if you are traveling alone with a child.  Be prepared, be safe and have fun!

You can read more about this topic, as well as many other family cruising topics, in our new book–Cruising With Kids: A Guide To The Perfect Family Cruise Vacation. Visit our dedicated Cruising With Kids website for more details.

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