anolan1028

I am traveling later in the month with an infant to Jamaica. Unfortunately, my husband cannot join us. Does anyone know if I need a passport to travel alone with her?

tivertonhouse

Until 31 Dec this year, you'll only need an original or notarized copy of your child's birth certificate with the REQUIRED blindstamp/raised seal. Your bank can provide same-day no/nominal fee notary public/stamping services. After that date, a passport.

Scubagirl

If you are not traveling with your spouse, you will need a notarized permission letter from him that you can take your infant out of the country.

I've never heard of a notary being able to "notarize" a birth certificate. The raised seal has to come from state/county office. You hospital certificate is not valid for reentry into the U.S.

bgans

Until Dec. 31, your daughter will not need a passport to re-enter the US, but many Caribbean countries are now requiring US citizens to have a passport in order to enter the country in the first place (not sure about Jamaica, specifically).

It's easier just to get the baby a passport (my daughter got her's at 4 months old). The State Dep't website has the instructions and the forms you need.

Also, you may need a notarized letter from your husband stating that he knows you are taking the baby out of the country, with the dates of travel and the destinations (it's to prevent non-custodial parents from taking their kids without the consent of the custodial parent). The airline is supposed to ask for it before you board, but they don't always ask - it's safer to have it and not need it than not have it and not be able to board your flight.

Curt

USA has extended the requirements for passports - not 2006 now, but Jamaica may have new rules check with them

tivertonhouse

Jamaica is still up in the air on passports only or no -- they'd prefer NOT to issue the passports only law since some 50+% of visitors don't have passports. If you travel/holiday tho,
it's worth getting one for your child
now and avoiding the question of when/what if...

caribdreamn

I travelled to Barbados in May with my baby (11 months old) and I had been trying to travel to the Caribbean earlier in the year when he was an infant and every island I looked at needed a passport for him no matter what his age and if you are travelling without your childs father then you need a notarized letter too from him saying that he endorses your travels....I was told by immigration as I laboured away trying to get my sons papers in orders that there has been a lot of baby / infant SELLING...yes oh yes...SELLING and so they have become really stringent about these rules...I wouldn't risk it - get all the formal documentation you can!! Goodluck and have fun!

Tuxedocat

My daughter has had her passport since 8 months old. They are only good for 5 years versus 10 for adults, but totally worth the trouble IMO.

tripster

Get a passport. get a passport. get a passport.
Americans are the only ones who think they can cross borders with a drivers license.

MIM04

I got my daugher her passport when she was 6 months. It is totally worth it and it really is not that expensive. GL

TomCayman

Please note that the general passport deadline for people returning to the US from the Caribbean has been put back a year to Dec 31, 2006.. check the State Department website.