UPDATE: Effective June 1st, 2009, the requirements to travel to the Bahamas have changed. Please see this entry for the most up-to-date information.
Changing travel regulations have left many people scratching their heads, wondering whether or not you need a passport to go the Bahamas.
Actually, it depends. Right now, if you’re traveling to or from the Bahamas by sea, all you need is government-issued photo identification and proof of citizenship, such as your birth certificate. However, if you’re flying, you have to have a US passport to re-enter the US from the Bahamas.
On June 1st, 2009, the rules are changing again. After that date, almost everybody who is traveling to the Bahamas will need a passport to re-enter the US, whether they are traveling by land or by sea. There are only a few exceptions:
- Children under the age of 16 can use their birth certificates if they are traveling by sea.
- Children aged 18 and under traveling by sea can also use their birth certificates if they are on a chaperoned trip with a school group, church group or sports team.
- Passengers on “closed-loop” cruises, cruises that begin and end in the same port in the United States, can use government-issued photo ID and a copy of their birth certificate.
Even if you fall into one of the groups listed above and are not required to carry a passport, it’s still a good idea to bring one with you. That way, you’re protected if you need to fly home unexpectedly.
If you need to get a passport to go the Bahamas, you should apply for it as soon as possible. It can take 6 weeks or longer for you to receive your passport if you apply for regular processing, so make sure you allow enough time.
If you need your passport more quickly, a private passport expediting service like RushMyPassport.com can help. Expediting companies will deliver your passport application by hand to the US Passport Agency, resulting in faster processing times and an easier passport application experience. Check out the different passport packages we have available, and see how easy it can be to get a passport to the Bahamas!
Tags: Bahamas, international travel, passports, WHTI
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I have one question. I’m from Kuwait and I’m planning to go to the Bahamas between Sep and Nov. Do I need a VISA? What kind of VISA do I need? What are the documents needed? Please let me know.
March 17th, 2009 at 2:28 amHello, and thanks for commenting!
If you’re a Kuwaiti citizen, you should check with the Bahamas’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs to find out what documents you need. Here’s the link:
http://www.mfabahamas.org/
Thanks so much, and have a wonderful trip!
March 17th, 2009 at 9:46 amMy friend is 17 years old, we are leaving for the bahama’s on sunday and it looks like she is not going to recieve her passport in time. Can she use her original birth certificate to leave and enter the U.S?
April 1st, 2009 at 6:41 pmHi Shelby,
It depends. You don’t specify if you are flying to the Bahamas or going on a cruise. If you are flying, she absolutely has to have a passport. If you’re going on a cruise or otherwise traveling by sea, she should be okay with a driver’s license and a birth certificate, as long you’ll be back in the States before June 1st.
I hope this helps. Have a great trip!
April 2nd, 2009 at 2:41 pmHey i was just wondering if i got a green card would it work if il go to bahamas? And what about an age because i heard you have to be 21 to check in or something?
May 6th, 2009 at 3:05 amHi Alex,
You’ll need your green card and your passport from your country of origin. You should also be able to use your green card and your passport to get back into the US. The Bahamas don’t appear to have any age restrictions, but if you’re planning a cruise you should check with your cruise line.
May 6th, 2009 at 11:15 amHere’s more information:
http://www.bahamas.com/vacation-planning/us-resident-non-citizen
We are leaving June 5th on a Cruise. Im pretty sure we leave and come
May 27th, 2009 at 6:40 pmback to the same port. We were told we only need a id and birth certificate
Also im in the Army Reserve and have a military id. do i need a birth certificate
and is there any other documents that work for a birth certificate
Hi Cadman,
Unfortunately, your military ID wont’ work for proof of citizenship.
“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).”
May 29th, 2009 at 12:19 pmFrom GetYouHome.Gov
http://www.getyouhome.gov/html/lang_eng/eng_sa.html
Hello. I am considering going on a school trip to Europe, specifically London and Greece. Do I need London and Greece. Do I need a U.S. Passport to return to the U.S. evenasdfasdf;ljkjsdkaljj though it’s just a school trip?
June 28th, 2009 at 8:28 pmHi Isha,
Yes, you’ll definitely need a US passport to go to Europe. The rule about being able to use your birth certificate on a school trip only applies to Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean. To go to London and Greece, you’ll need a passport.
Enjoy your trip!
June 29th, 2009 at 11:40 amI am planning on leaving florida on a private boat to bimini.
July 9th, 2009 at 12:13 amI can not find my passport. Will a copy of my B.C. work or does it have
to be the original?
I am going on a cruise in december 2009 to the bahamas. It is on the carnival and we are portining in miami and then will be returning to miami to get off the boat. so does that mean i only need a birth cert. and my picture id to get on the ship in miami and also back on the ship when we are in the bahamas to head back to the states.
July 11th, 2009 at 10:42 amim planning on going to the bahammas on aug 8th for a 1 week honeymoon and i am a permamnt resident in the u.s with a green card but my passport expires 2 days after i will get back will i have any problems going?
July 23rd, 2009 at 6:50 amhi we are traveling to the bahamas by a private plane, I have an expired passport and my 4 year old dauhter doesnot have one just a birth cert. will we be able to go ?
July 26th, 2009 at 1:03 pmHi Alli,
Since you’re traveling by plane, both you and your daughter have to have valid passports to travel to the Bahamas.
July 28th, 2009 at 10:23 amHi Mary,
Congratulations on your marriage!
Well, 2 days after you get back is cutting it close. I would call the Bahamas Embassy to be sure: Here’s their contact information:
July 28th, 2009 at 10:26 amhttp://nassau.usembassy.gov/entry_requirements.html
Hi Dawn,
If your cruise begins and ends in Miami, you are correct.
July 28th, 2009 at 10:26 amSince it’s after June 1, 2009, you need a passport. A birth certificate won’t work unless you are under 18 traveling by sea with your parents or a school group.
July 28th, 2009 at 10:28 amI ‘m naturalized US citizen and I have my certification but don’t have my US passport. Can I travel to Bahamas with that
August 12th, 2009 at 8:02 pmHi I want to know if I have a passport to come to the US and I am from the Bahamas and I want to live permently in US.. How do I go about getting my work permit to work in the US.
August 25th, 2009 at 2:08 amOnly if you are on a closed-loop cruise with a cruise line-one that begins and ends at the same port. Otherwise, no, you can’t use your certificate of citizenship and need to apply for a passport.
September 2nd, 2009 at 10:51 amI am 18 and going on a cruise to the Bahamas and Purto Rico in december.
September 10th, 2009 at 3:11 pmWill i need a passport?
can i use a passport card to go to the bahamas and purto rico?
September 10th, 2009 at 3:26 pmGoing on a Royal Carribean cruise from Pt Canavaral and returning to Pt Canavaral in 4/10. Ports of call are Bahamas, St. Thomas, St. Marteen and back to Florida. Do my husband and I need passports?
October 26th, 2009 at 6:58 amgOING ON A CRUISE IN JANUARY DO I NEED A PASSPORT.
November 5th, 2009 at 9:25 amHi Cheryl,
Possibly. It depends on where your cruise is going. Where are you cruising to?
November 8th, 2009 at 6:52 pmHello,
November 27th, 2009 at 10:59 amMe and my boyfriend are leaving for the bahamas out of ft lauderdale by cruise in jan. Would you happen to know if we need a passport or can we use our birth certificates? If we can use our birth certificates does it have to be the original copy?
I would like to suprise my husband with a cruise for christmas. Not enough time to get our passports will be crusing St. Thomas, St Marteen and return to Florida will we need our passports to do shore excursions at these Islands. Thank You Suzette
December 2nd, 2009 at 7:50 amIf it’s a closed-loop cruise, one that begins and ends at the same US port, you should be fine with just your birth certificate and driver’s license. Have a wonderful trip!
December 4th, 2009 at 12:00 pmHi Amanda,
It depends-if the ship comes back to the Fort Lauderdale at the end of the cruise, it is considered a closed-loop cruise and you shouldn’t need a passport. Just your birth certificate and driver’s license. You need an original or certified copy of your birth certificate-the kind with the raised seal.
December 4th, 2009 at 12:06 pmme and my boo has been marry for 6 year we never to a honeymoon we what to go to the bahamas problem is i dont have a birth license or a passport my question is can i just use my marriage license to go to the bahamas … please help me out
January 7th, 2010 at 8:57 pmHi Mille,
No, you can’t use your marriage license to go to the Bahamas. Sorry! If you need another copy of your birth certificate to apply for a passport, you can order one here: http://www.vitalchek.com/
January 13th, 2010 at 5:32 pmEnjoy your honeymoon!
Hello, I am going on a Cruise that leaves from Miami and goes into Nassau Bahamas and returns to Miami 4 days later. Is it correct that I do not need a passport because I leave and return to the same port on the cruiseline? I just want to make sure before I book my cruise and flight and don’t have a passport. Thank you.
January 24th, 2010 at 10:58 pmHi Laura,
Sounds like you should be fine with a driver’s license and a birth certificate, but I would double-check with your cruise line just to be on the safe side.
January 27th, 2010 at 3:41 pmHi. I am planning on going on a cruise to bahamas that
February 15th, 2010 at 7:58 pmleaves from Fort lauderdale Miami and returns back to the same spot.
i do not have a passport or a birth certificate. i just got my
citizenship through neutralization. i only have my drivers license,
bank cards, work photo id. Would that be enough to get me on the
without having any disappointment or refusal to get on the cruise
after i have booked it?
Hi Osagie,
You need proof of citizenship even on a closed-loop cruise. Your naturalization certificate should be fine. Have a great trip!
February 21st, 2010 at 5:08 pmMy Father are taking my two children aged 15 and 14 on a cruise that leaves from Puero Rico and will do Islands in the Southern Carribean. Do They need a Passport and will my father Same Last Name as children need a note or something from us
February 23rd, 2010 at 10:53 amI am going on a cruise to Bahamas from Port Canaveral Florida and will be returning to the same Port. Do I need a passport or may I use my birth certificate and drivers license ? Also instead of a drivers license, if you dont have one, can a state issued id be used in its place ?
March 3rd, 2010 at 4:36 pmHi Missy,
You are correct-you can use your birth certificate and driver’s license OR a state-issued photo ID card if you don’t have a license. Have a great trip!
March 3rd, 2010 at 9:31 pmhi!
May 13th, 2010 at 9:20 pmI have an H1b visa…nonimmigrant working visa in the us…we are planning to go on a cruise to the bahamas this july. what are the visa requirements?
Hi Hannah,
You don’t say where you’re from, so I can’t tell you what the visa requirements would be. However, you can contact the Office of the Bahamas Consulate General and they should be able to tell you: http://www.un.int/bahamas/Consular_Travel_Information.htm
May 20th, 2010 at 2:56 pmI’m going on a Royal Carribean cruise from Pt Canaveral and returning to Pt Canaveral in June 2010. I have a passport my children, ages 16 and 13 don’t. Do they need passports also or are birth certificates acceptable. Please advise. Thanks!
May 24th, 2010 at 11:49 amHi Marisa,
Since it’s a closed-loop cruise you should be all right with just their birth certificates and photo ID for your 16-year-old. Again, call the cruise line and double-check to make sure.
May 27th, 2010 at 1:08 pmMy family is flying to San Juan, for a southern Caribbean cruise, which ends up back at San Juan. Will we need passports? We will be visiting Barbados, St. Lucia, Antigua, St. Maarten, and St. Croix. If passports are required, will we need the book kind, or will passport cards do? (two adults and two children.)
June 1st, 2010 at 6:16 pmSince it begins and ends in Puerto Rico, you should be all right with birth certificates and IDs. BUT you should contact your cruise line as they may require you to have passports anyway. Also, it’s a good idea to have a passport book just in case you need to fly home or you miss the boat and need to fly to another island to meet it.
June 4th, 2010 at 11:08 pmHi! I’m leaving on a cruise to the Bahamas in five days, it was very last minute and I don’t have my passport, we are leaving and returning to the Miami port. Can I use my birth certificate and ID?
June 23rd, 2010 at 12:01 amHi Kristine,
Yes, you should be fine with your birth certificate and ID, but I would call the cruise line and double-check with them, just to be on the safe side. Enjoy your cruise!
June 25th, 2010 at 8:47 pmSo, if my fiance and I are Florida residents and we’re going on a 3 day cruise to the Bahamas..can we use our birth certificates and drivers license to go on the cruise? Or do we need a passport?
July 5th, 2010 at 4:58 pmA friend invited me and a few friends to go on an overnight fishing trip to the bahamas. We will leave and return to the same place. I am the only one without a passport. I do have an original birth certificate and drivers license. Is that sufficient for entering and returning? What happens if we get there and something happens to the boat and we have to take a flight home? I wouldn’t be allowed to without a passport, right? Would I be stuck there? Just covering all my bases as I have a small child at home to worry about. Thanks in advance.
July 7th, 2010 at 7:49 amTo fly home, you would need a passport. If you’re traveling on a private boat as opposed to a cruise ship, you’d actually need a passport, passport card, NEXUS, SENTRI or FAST card or an Enhanced Driver’s License, if your state offers them. A driver’s license and birth certificate only works if you’re on a cruise.
July 8th, 2010 at 8:48 pmIf the cruise begins and ends at the same US port, you should be able to use your birth certificate and driver’s license, but contact your cruise line for verification.
July 8th, 2010 at 8:50 pmI am leaving for the Bahamas in 2 days I was told I didn’t need a passport if i was comming and leaving from the same port. I need my original birth certificate and a state Id well i dont have the orignal but it has a seal on it will that work?
July 11th, 2010 at 10:27 pmi am a legal resident alien in the US still waiting for my green card, but not illegal and my fiance’s family is going on a cruise to the bahamas leaving from charleston and i am going with them. What are the requirements that i will need to travel?
July 15th, 2010 at 12:42 pmHi Joe,
Per the US Customs and Border Protection, you need your “permanent resident card (Form I-551) or other valid evidence of permanent residence status.” Since you don’t have your green card yet, I’d contact Customs and Border Protection. Here’s a link to their contact info: http://www.getyouhome.gov/html/contact.html
July 24th, 2010 at 9:07 pmHi Tayla,
Yes, if has a raised or embossed seal it should be fine. Have a great trip!
July 24th, 2010 at 9:09 pm