passports needed?
 

Hi guys, we're traveling to ST. Martens from Philly in Jan. '05 and was told by travel agent that a birth certificated and drivers license is all that would be needed, not a passport. Can anyone confirm this? Hate to not get on plane. PP gonna cost me and the wife over $200.00 and don't want to really spend that kinda cash as well. Looking for people that have recently flown there and what they did. Thanks in advance...Eagle

As of now all you need is a original raised seal birth certificate and a government issued photo I.D. to enter into St. Martin however there is talk that they may change their entry requirements in the near future (many islands are going the passport route). In this day and age you really should get a passport if you are travelling out of the US. It will make it easier when cleariing immigration when you arrive on St. Martin and when returning to the US. You can get a passport for about $85 and it is good for ten years. Do your self and those behind you in line - get a passport.

I agree with Sunnyboy. We're Canadian and the same entrance requirements apply to us as well but it makes everything so much easier if you have a passport. And be sure to fill out the immigration cards they give you on the plane BEFORE you get into the line; we've been stuck behind people who start to fill them out at the immigration counter.

You may as well get a passport because in the near future all the islands will require one.

Here, here!!! Listen to the people.

Eagle, I am also a travel agent. I always advice my clients to get passport. I agree with posters above. If you still decide to go without passport, then you need to check by yourself at http://travel.state.gov/travel/warnings_consular.html
You might even want to contact consulate of country - if you are going to St. Maarten - that's Dutch. Remember the island is split in two countries. So if this St. Maarten, look under Netherlands Antilles, if St. Martin, look under France regulations.

I do strongly recommend to get passport beacuse with current situation the rules change very often. For example Dominican republic usually does not require passport, however this year, when US customs started to fingerprint foreigners from certain countries in transit, Dom, Republic in response started to fingerprint Americans without passport. In general it is unlikely that you will be denied entry, but it might take some time to get through all formalities. With US passport, you just breeze in.

Ditto, ditto, ditto, ditto....get a passport. Not an expensive item for something thats good for 10 years and GREATLY helps the entry process! Both for you and others!

Last year I went with my sister and two friends. Two of us had passports, two had only birth certificates and drivers license. We didn't travel together, and one girl almost didn't get past customs because her drivers license had her married name on it. She only got in because her birth certificate was in the envelope that the county had sent it to her in. Maybe a marriage certificate is needed to? Better to be safe then sorry.

Just returned from St. Martin last week. Young couple in front of us at US Customs line were hassled quite heavily upon reentering US with only birth certificates. Its not always about getting into the island - but about getting home.

Passports - ALWAYS! I've seen too many people denied boarding because they think they have the proper documentation and they don't. Just this past June we watched a family meltdown in Charlotte because Dad didn't have the "right" birth certificate and unfortunately that family didn't leave for the DR that morning.

Why is it going to cost over $200 for passports - unless fee went up a great deal, I think it is less than that.

What they said. You may want to pay the additional cost for expiditing service. However, perhaps someone knows if Philly has a Passport office that can make things go quicker.

If an immigration agent isnt absolutely sure about your birth certificate or driver's license you will likely be delayed, even if just for a few minutes. Like the others mentioned, its easier for you and those in line behind you with a passport.

Enjoy your trip.

sam

Have passport .. will travel!

$ 200? It's an investment.

Just want to mention this - I had a new Norwegian passport 4 years ago, valid for 10 years. Now I have to get a new one, to be able to visit my friend in the United States.
Reason? The USA has decided we need a machine readable passport. Annoying, yes, but no way around it. No such rules for US citizens visiting my country...
a bit unfair?

Just returned from SMX, reportedly a passport is needed only if you are staying on the French side, they are suppose to ask for it on check-in, but our place at Orient Beach didn't even ask. Just got my passport this fall, cost for a passport is about $100 per person, $80 for passport, $4 photo from CVS, $15 for raised seal birth certificate from PA government birth certificate record office (can get via mail, form online). Lady in front of me in line used a license and birth certificate with no problems, just took less than a minute for her to go thru, mine took less than 15 seconds with a passport.

From checking in at the airport to going thru customs, it's much easier with a passport.