Jthomasou Posted October 12, 2017 #1 Share Posted October 12, 2017 My sister-in-law just discovered her passport is expired and can not find her birth certificate. Our cruise leaves tomorrow. Has anyone ever had this problem and figured out some miracle to be able to board. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
easyboy Posted October 12, 2017 #2 Share Posted October 12, 2017 Highly unlikely. I guess all you can do is try with the expired passport. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coevan Posted October 12, 2017 #3 Share Posted October 12, 2017 you are not boarding without passport or birth certificate, period Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maryred Posted October 12, 2017 #4 Share Posted October 12, 2017 Perhaps her parents have a copy that they can fax her. Otherwise sadly she is out of luck. An even if she has any insurance it does not cover having inadequate paperwork. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nursepixie Posted October 12, 2017 #5 Share Posted October 12, 2017 Hopefully she finds it! I would be heartbroken. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madiaka Posted October 12, 2017 #6 Share Posted October 12, 2017 If you're not flying and the drive is not far you should be able to get a certified copy from wherever they keep them on file - possibly in the morning before leaving. Our city hall keeps most copies depending on the suburb. Some suburbs keep their own copies. Ours opens at 8:30. But, if you're flying you probably won't have the time. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
satxdiver Posted October 12, 2017 #7 Share Posted October 12, 2017 Federal law you have to have a government issued b/c (no photocopies) or a valid passport. The cruise line is not able to make exceptions. In my home state the b/c is kept by the country of birth while in Texas where I currently reside the b/c is kept at the state capital. Not good news for the OP however. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
springs741 Posted October 12, 2017 #8 Share Posted October 12, 2017 Federal law you have to have a government issued b/c (no photocopies) or a valid passport. The cruise line is not able to make exceptions. In my home state the b/c is kept by the country of birth while in Texas where I currently reside the b/c is kept at the state capital. Not good news for the OP however. Perhaps things have changed since you needed the information. From Carnivals Website: Traveling with a Birth Certificate and Photo Identification Birth Certificate Information The following are acceptable: An original or copy of a birth certificate issued by a government agency (state/county/city) or the Department of Health and Vital Statistics A clear, legible copy of a birth certificate that was originally issued by a government agency (state/county/city) or the Department of Health and Vital Statistics. The copy does not need to be notarized or certified. Birth Certificate Card A Consular report of Birth Abroad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Keith1010 Posted October 12, 2017 #9 Share Posted October 12, 2017 I hope you can locate it. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sternfanla Posted October 12, 2017 #10 Share Posted October 12, 2017 Please post an update on what happened. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maggie cruises Posted October 12, 2017 #11 Share Posted October 12, 2017 When she did her online check in didn't she have her pp in her hand? Didn't she notice the date? Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare sparks1093 Posted October 12, 2017 #12 Share Posted October 12, 2017 Federal law you have to have a government issued b/c (no photocopies) or a valid passport. The cruise line is not able to make exceptions. In my home state the b/c is kept by the country of birth while in Texas where I currently reside the b/c is kept at the state capital. Not good news for the OP however. No, the regulations say that an original or copy may be used and copy means a plain photocopy. I used a photocopy to board our cruise on Pride. OP, does her employer have a copy of her birth certificate? Parents? If a copy doesn't turn up then I would have her take the expired passport with her along with a government photo ID. The expired passport is still proof of citizenship even though it is expired and they just might take it. Much better than showing up with nothing. (And I know people are going to jump on that but what other options are there if a copy of the BC doesn't show up?). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nursepixie Posted October 12, 2017 #13 Share Posted October 12, 2017 It does say on the carnival website that a passport must be unexpired. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maggie cruises Posted October 12, 2017 #14 Share Posted October 12, 2017 I'd still like to know how she did online checkin? Probably said using b/c without realizing she didn't have it? Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare sparks1093 Posted October 12, 2017 #15 Share Posted October 12, 2017 It does say on the carnival website that a passport must be unexpired. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Yes, when using it as a stand alone document to prove both ID and citizenship. BUT an expired passport is still proof of citizenship and possibly it may be used when coupled with another form of ID. It's a long shot but I'd rather show up with that than with nothing. From State Dept website: I'm renewing my passport. Do I get the old one back? Yes, in most cases, we will return the old, cancelled passport to you. It may be sent separately from your new passport. It is a good idea to keep your old passport in a safe place as it is considered proof of your U.S. citizenship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare sparks1093 Posted October 12, 2017 #16 Share Posted October 12, 2017 I'd still like to know how she did online checkin? Probably said using b/c without realizing she didn't have it? Sent from my iPad using Forums It doesn't really matter since done is done. I completed my online check in for our upcoming cruise over a year ago and if I noticed then that the passport was expiring I would have made a mental note to renew it, but with my memory it could have been forgotten. Bottom line is that people make these types of mistakes all of the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maggie cruises Posted October 12, 2017 #17 Share Posted October 12, 2017 It doesn't really matter since done is done. I completed my online check in for our upcoming cruise over a year ago and if I noticed then that the passport was expiring I would have made a mental note to renew it, but with my memory it could have been forgotten. Bottom line is that people make these types of mistakes all of the time. As you are not the op your experience isn't relevant I'm honestly interested in how this person missed such a vital tidbit Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare sparks1093 Posted October 12, 2017 #18 Share Posted October 12, 2017 As you are not the op your experience isn't relevant I'm honestly interested in how this person missed such a vital tidbit Sent from my iPad using Forums I apologize for explaining how it could happen. What difference does it make how it happened? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jthomasou Posted October 12, 2017 Author #19 Share Posted October 12, 2017 I apologize for explaining how it could happen. What difference does it make how it happened? It’s the first time they have cruised and they have 4 children under the age of 6. It’s obviously not ideal and not an excuse but it is what it is Just trying to make the best of a bad sotuation Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare sparks1093 Posted October 12, 2017 #20 Share Posted October 12, 2017 It’s the first time they have cruised and they have 4 children under the age of 6. It’s obviously not ideal and not an excuse but it is what it is Just trying to make the best of a bad sotuation I understand completely. Hopefully it works out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timeinthesand Posted October 12, 2017 #21 Share Posted October 12, 2017 Take what you have and cross your fingers. You will probably end up in the document recovery room. I am not saying you will get to cruise, but you might. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandkps Posted October 12, 2017 #22 Share Posted October 12, 2017 Do her parents or another relative live close to the area in which she was born? Perhaps someone could go get a copy of her BC for her and then fax it to her at a location (such as kinkos or an office store) close to the port? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angiegal Posted October 12, 2017 #23 Share Posted October 12, 2017 Not sure what state you are in but in Pennsylvania we have some offices where you can get a copy of your birth certificate same day. I'd imagine other states do as well. Unfortunately about three weeks before our last cruise my son couldn't find his birth certificate and took advantage of the same day option. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nursepixie Posted October 12, 2017 #24 Share Posted October 12, 2017 As you are not the op your experience isn't relevant I'm honestly interested in how this person missed such a vital tidbit Sent from my iPad using Forums I totally agree. I'm 30 days out and I've gotten all of my documents ready to cruise. I would never wait until the day before. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JaxsMama Posted October 12, 2017 #25 Share Posted October 12, 2017 Where we live in Ohio you just go to the county clerks office and pay them to print you a new one. Takes 5 minutes. Hopefully where you live does the same thing. Sent from my SM-G928V using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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