hislove330

Update: in case anyone cares....

I got both my travel doc and DL today. Go figure. The travel document, for those who may wonder, is a DMV Certified (stamped, dated and signed with CA DMV seal) color photocopy of my driver's license, blown up to an 8x11. It comes with a letter on DMV letterhead that this is certified for travel.

I'm going to take it with me to the port and ask customs/immigration what they would have done if this document and a certified BC was all I had. Just out of curiosity and so I can post it on here for anyone else who wonders... because I know that it's easy to lose a passport or DL right before a trip.

I cannot speak about this travel use paper ID, but I know of several people who travelled on RT cruises with the old license and the renewal paper (which extends the validity date of the 'expired' license) along with their certified BC. No troubles.

That's the kind of thing I've been trying to figure out. Searching these boards, plenty of people ask that question but I have yet to find someone who said, "I used my BC, old license and temp and worked fine." Thank you.

They were great - but be prepared to pay over $600 for the service. It saved his trip to Aruba but cost us plenty!

Oh, crap.

Depends on where you are in SoCA - if you're close to LA, there's a Passport Agency on Wilshire, you can make an appointment if you're traveling within 14 days and they issue the passport card on-site, not sure how long it would take to get the book - I know it's usually same day or next day at most of the agency locations (or it used to be). I believe the passport card is valid for closed-loop cruises as well.

 

http://travel.state.gov/passport/npic/agencies/agencies_909.html

Oh, wow... that's pretty cool. I'm about 2hrs from LA, but this is worth considering. Yes, we had the passport cards too and they work for closed-loop. I wonder if there is a charge for doing it on the spot. We leave on the 19th.

I'd get another certified copy of your birth certificate and expedite a replacement for your passport as soon as you get your "travel docs" from the DMV. That way you have the 'travel docs' and a birth certificate if you don't get your passport, but you may be able to get the passport before you cruise.

I have a couple certified copies of my BC just in case however,...

I can't get a "replacement" passport because I notified them it was stolen and the passport agency cancelled and flagged it, so I need to in person and get a new passport with new number, etc. If anyone uses my old passport, they will be detained.

With that said, I need a photo ID to get my passport so IF the passport agency accepts a "travel doc" from the DMV, I will to that and expidite my passport, but IF THEY DO NOT take this document the DMV is sending me, I will not be able to get my passport. Hope that makes sense.

ETA: the passport expidited delivery is estimated at 2-3wks out right now according to their website. That would cut it close and I may not have a passport anyway at that rate.

http://www.getyouhome.gov/html/lang_eng/eng_sa.html

"Closed Loop" Cruises: U.S. citizens who board a cruise ship at a port within the United States, travel only within the Western Hemisphere, and return to the same U.S. port on the same ship may present a government issued photo identification, along with proof of citizenship (an original or copy of his or her birth certificate, a Consular report of Birth Abroad, or a Certificate of Naturalization). Please be aware that you may still be required to present a passport to enter the foreign countries your cruise ship is visiting. Check with your cruise line to ensure you have the appropriate documents."

I guess what the DMV is sending IS a government issued photo identification. It's just not the traditional DL or ID cards.

For information on costs, validity and issuing agencies, visit the appropriate state government website.

 

http://www.getyouhome.gov/html/lang_eng/eng_edl.html

Thanks! I'll look into that. Anything can help at this point. I'm just crossing my fingers that I will get a call before my trip and they will overnight my DL.

I would play it safe and get a certified copy of your birth certificate. It can be ordered on line and we got my daughters in three days with expedited service (costs a little extra).

I have the certified birth cert. I used that for my last cruise. I'm only worried about the state issued ID or DL since I no longer have my passport thanks to the theives. All I have is an expired DL with temporary recipt and in a couple days I'll have the so-called "travel document" from the DMV.

What is "customs"? Immigration is who would deal with these issues.

I thought it was one in the same. Princess said they weren't sure and that I had to call or email customs because that was who checks ID at the port in Los Angeles. I could be wrong.

I have looked ALL OVER the net and these boards. Nothing. I have never heard of such a thing so I emailed customs and they didn't give me a direct answer. I would have figured with the delay in getting DL's in CA, someone will have heard of this "travel document".

As far as I understand it is not an ID card like we traditionally think of. It's an 8x10 paper certified and stamped by the DMV.... but I'm not sure what it's a copy of. I think it will be in color with a picture.

ETA: Photo ID's in lieu of Driver's Licenses are also 6wks out. The reason they are sending the "travel doc".

Backstory: Cruise was purchased, non-refundable, then in late Oct my car window was smashed in while I walked only 100ft away and my purse, tucked behind my seat, was stolen. In it was my DL and Passport (we had just driven back from Mexico and I hadn't put it away yet).

On Nov 4th, thinking I had enough time to get a new DL issued and passport issued for my cruise, I ordered my CA DL. They don't issue immediate IDs like some states, and with the new security features, they say to "give 6wks to recieve" by mail. I called the DMV on the 17th of Jan and they said my DL was issued but didn't pass security inspection so a week before they destroyed it and had a new one requested!!!! Oh, crap. There went my chance of getting a passport re-issued since I need my DL. They said I need to give another 6wks from the date it was re-issued, which would have put me at getting my DL on the week of my cruise (hopefully sooner, but that's what I thought the FIRST time).

The DMV rep in the resolution dept said he would try to expidite my DL but if that didn't happen, he would issue a "travel document" or "travel photo" in lieu of a DL/ID that is made specifically for travel? The resolution dept in Sacramento SWEAR it will be fine for my closed-loop cruise. They say it's a stamped certified copy of your license, application or something. Can't find anything online & Custom's email reply to me is that it's at the discression of the Customs Officer at port.

Has anyone else been through this? I have an old expired DL with my current temporary paper and the right birth cert and in a couple days I'll have the "travel document" or whatever.