Fodor's Travel Talk Forums

Fodor's Travel Talk Forums (https://www.fodors.com/community/)
-   Caribbean Islands (https://www.fodors.com/community/caribbean-islands/)
-   -   Passport needed for Islands?? (https://www.fodors.com/community/caribbean-islands/passport-needed-for-islands-243897/)

curious Jul 28th, 2002 04:47 PM

Passport needed for Islands??
 
I know this may be a dumb question but does one need a passport for the caribbean islands, namely St, Kitts.<BR>I know for Mexico and the Bahamas you just need drivers license.<BR>Thanks

Mary Jul 28th, 2002 05:07 PM

2 part answer: many islands do not require anything beyond a birth certificate or voters registration. HOWEVER, I have twice seen American Airlines gate attendants in Baltimore refuse to let ticketed passengers board planes to the islands without a passport. In both case (pre 9/11), the passengers had been told by their travel agents that they did NOT need passports. Guess what? They missed their flights (& I'm guessing their vacations because you can't get a passport in one day). Don't risk it.

jean Jul 28th, 2002 06:29 PM

i totally agree with Mary - yes our immigraton people down here will often accept birth certificates but you will run into awful hassle state-side without passport - incidentally always photocopy the front pages of your passport and put the copies separate from your passport - then if you lose the document it makes getting a replacement emergency one much easier

Laura Jul 29th, 2002 05:23 AM

A passport is not, I repeat NOT required for most islands in the Caribbean and Mexico. It is only preferred. With the exception of Margarita Island all you need is a government/federal issued form of ID and an original or certified copy of your birth certificate with raised seal. If a gate agent demanded other, he/she did not know the Dept. of State rules and you could have pressed the issue that they were in fact wrong. They cannot demand what is not required. September 11 events have in no way changed the requirements of citizenship. http://travel.state.gov/travel_warnings.html

Statia Jul 29th, 2002 05:27 AM

You must have proof of citizenship when visiting the islands (St. Kitts included) and there are only two forms accepted. Valid passport or original birth certificate.<BR><BR>I have traveled with friends in the islands lately having either a passport or birth certificate. Obviously a passport is easiest to use.<BR><BR>However, I know you can also still use an original birth certificate (MUST have the raised seal on it), along with photo ID. I recently traveled with a minor child using a birth certificate and they nearly refused her entry due to having no driver's liscense or photo ID. So, keep that in mind. We had no problem returning to the US with only the birth certificate, however.<BR><BR>Good luck.<BR><BR>

trvelagent Jul 29th, 2002 05:33 AM

Each airline has policy that govern who will and who won't get on that plane with what id. Even if it is not required, some will push the envelope and not allow you without an official birth certificate to prove citizenship and a gov't issued picture id usually a drivers' license. Voters Registration card will not be accepted. You are leaving the country for many islands and it is just a good idea to get a passport. Makes immigration easier and lessens the chances someone will turned away due.

goingaway Jul 29th, 2002 08:00 AM

You must have a passport to travel to Trinidad and Tobago. I was told last year that two other island countries may also require passports; if I remember correctly, one of them is Haiti.

curious Jul 29th, 2002 06:16 PM

Thanks for the replys. We are taking our children and the youngest(7) does not have a passport......yet. Better safe than sorry.


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 01:29 AM.