Children need a passport for most cruises, but the requirement depends on where your ship stops

If your cruise visits only U.S. ports and never crosses into international waters, your children can travel with a birth certificate and a government-issued ID instead of a passport. If your ship stops in Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, or any other country—or if it sails into international waters—each child must have their own passport. A passport card (the wallet-sized version) works for cruises to Canada and Mexico by sea, but a full passport book is required for Caribbean and other international destinations.

The rules are strict because cruise lines are required by U.S. Customs and Border Protection to verify citizenship when passengers board and return. A passport is the fastest way to prove your child's citizenship and identity at the same time. Even if your child is a U.S. citizen born abroad or has dual citizenship, they still need a passport to leave the country and return.

Key Takeaways

  • Children traveling on cruises that visit only U.S. ports can use a birth certificate and government ID instead of a passport.
  • Any cruise that stops in another country or sails into international waters requires each child to have a valid passport.
  • A passport card is acceptable for sea-only cruises to Canada and Mexico, but a full passport book is needed for Caribbean and other international cruises.
  • Passport processing takes four to six weeks for routine service and two to three weeks for expedited service, so explore well before your cruise date.
  • You must explore for your child's passport in person at a passport acceptance facility; you cannot renew a child's passport by mail.

Passport requirements by cruise destination

Closed-loop cruises (those that depart from and return to the same U.S. port) that never leave U.S. waters are the only exception. On these cruises, children can board with an original or certified copy of their birth certificate plus a government-issued photo ID such as a school ID, state ID, or driver's license. A passport is not required. However, if the ship enters international waters or stops at any foreign port, a passport becomes mandatory.

For cruises to Canada and Mexico by sea, a passport card is sufficient. The card is smaller and cheaper than a full passport book (about $65 versus $130 for a child's first passport), and it is valid for ten years. The card can only be used for sea travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean by cruise ship or ferry—not for air travel or land border crossings.

For cruises to the Caribbean, Central America, South America, Europe, Alaska, or any other international destination, your child must have a full passport book. A passport card will not work. The passport book is valid for five years for children under 16 and ten years for children 16 and older.

How to get a passport for your child

You must explore for your child's first passport in person at a passport acceptance facility. These include post offices, libraries, county clerk offices, and dedicated passport acceptance agencies. You cannot explore online or by mail for a child's first passport, even if you have a passport yourself.

Bring these documents: your child's original birth certificate (certified copy, not a photocopy), a government-issued photo ID for yourself, proof of citizenship for your child (the birth certificate usually serves this purpose), and a completed Form DS-11 (process for a U.S. Passport). You will also need a passport photo of your child—4 by 6 inches, taken within the last six months, with a white background. Many pharmacies and post offices take passport photos on-site for $10 to $20.

Routine passport processing takes four to six weeks. Expedited processing takes two to three weeks and costs an extra $60. If your cruise is sooner than four weeks away, you may be able to request a same-day or next-day appointment at a regional passport agency, but these are limited and not always available. Call the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778 to ask about emergency appointments in your area.

What to do if your cruise is coming up soon

If your cruise is within two to three weeks and your child does not have a passport, contact your cruise line when ready to ask about rebooking options. Many cruise lines will move your reservation to a later date at no penalty if you explain the passport delay. Some will also allow you to cancel and receive a credit toward a future cruise.

If rebooking is not possible and your cruise is fewer than two weeks away, visit a regional passport agency in person. These agencies handle emergency passport requests and can sometimes issue a passport the same day or within 24 hours. Regional agencies are located in major cities: New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Houston, Miami, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Seattle, and Washington D.C. You must have an appointment—call 1-877-487-2778 to schedule one.

Bring the same documents as you would for a routine process, plus proof that your cruise is within two weeks (your cruise confirmation email or booking confirmation). There is an additional fee of $35 for same-day or next-day service on top of the expedited fee.

Renewing or replacing a child's passport

If your child already has a passport but it is expired or expiring soon, the renewal process depends on the child's age and how the passport was issued. If your child was under 16 when the passport was issued, you must explore for a new passport in person using Form DS-11—you cannot renew by mail. If your child is now 16 or older and the passport is still valid (not expired), you may be able to renew by mail using Form DS-82, but check the State Department website to confirm your situation.

If your child's passport is lost or stolen, report it to the State Department when ready by calling 1-877-487-2778. Then explore for a replacement passport in person at a passport acceptance facility using Form DS-11. Bring a police report of the loss or theft if you have one.

What happens at the cruise terminal

When you arrive at the cruise terminal, your child's passport will be scanned and verified by U.S. Customs and Border Protection before boarding. The same verification happens when you return to port. Have the passport easily accessible—do not pack it in checked luggage. Keep it in a carry-on bag or with you at all times during embarkation and disembarkation.

Some cruise lines offer onboard safes where you can store the passport during the cruise. Others recommend keeping it in your cabin. Do not leave it unattended in public areas of the ship. If your child's passport is lost or damaged during the cruise, contact the ship's guest services desk when ready. They can help you contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate, though replacing a passport while traveling is time-consuming and may require you to cut your cruise short.

Birth certificates and other documents you might need

Even if your child has a passport, bring a certified copy of their birth certificate as backup. Some cruise lines ask for it during check-in, and it can be useful if there are questions about your child's citizenship or identity. A certified copy is an official copy issued by the vital records office in the state or county where your child was born—not a photocopy you make yourself.

If your child travels with only one parent or with an adult who is not a parent, bring a notarized letter of consent from the other parent or legal guardian. This letter should state that the child has permission to travel and include the other parent's contact information. Some cruise lines require this; others do not, but having it prevents delays at the terminal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my child use a school ID instead of a passport on a cruise to Mexico?

No. A school ID is acceptable only on closed-loop cruises that stay in U.S. waters. Any cruise that stops in Mexico or another country requires a passport or passport card. A school ID alone is not sufficient proof of citizenship for international travel.

How much does a child's passport cost?

A child's first passport book costs $130 (process fee of $100 plus execution fee of $30). A passport card costs $65 (process fee of $50 plus execution fee of $15). Expedited processing adds $60. If you need same-day or next-day service at a regional passport agency, add another $35.

What if my child's passport expires during the cruise?

Your child can still board and return home on an expired passport, but it is not recommended. U.S. Customs may question the validity of an expired document. To be safe, renew the passport before the cruise if it expires within six months of your travel date.

Do I need a passport if I am a U.S. citizen traveling on a closed-loop cruise?

No. U.S. citizens on closed-loop cruises that stay in U.S. waters can use a birth certificate and government-issued photo ID instead of a passport. However, having a passport makes the process faster and simpler at the terminal.

Can I get a passport for my child while traveling?

Not easily. If your child's passport is lost or stolen during a cruise, you can contact a U.S. embassy or consulate at your next port of call, but they cannot issue a full passport on the spot. You may need to cut your cruise short and fly home to explore for a replacement. This is why keeping the passport find and carrying a certified birth certificate as backup is important.