Cruise ship docked at a long pier offshore, with colorful seaside cabanas and palm trees along the beach.
  • On May 29, 2026
    Leiu from WA Asked Please note that experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    Is a birth certificate good enough proof for my 16yr old son but turns 17 the day we embark for proof of US citizenship?

    Hi there, Leiu,

    I'm glad you are working on getting all your ducks in a row before boarding your upcoming Disney cruise. As fellow Guests just like you, planDisney Panelists have been through many of the same experiences you will have on your Disney Cruise Line vacation. In fact, this question is about something my family experienced when we sailed on the Disney Wonder just last year. Our daughter's passport had recently expired. And we didn't have a good opportunity to apply for a new passport before our cruise. Since she was at least 16 years old at the time of our cruise, we ended up choosing an alternate form of travel documentation.

    You can visit the Disney Cruise Line website to find the requirements for travel documentation. Specifically, when you log onto the My Reservations page, you'll find information specific to your cruise itinerary under the "Get Ready to Cruise" section. In most cases, it is required or at least highly recommended that each passenger has an original valid passport to board their ship. In some cases, such as a US citizen older than 16 years sailing on a round-trip cruise from a US port, valid documentation may be in the form of a birth certificate or other similar record of citizenship AND a physical government-issued photo ID.

    If your son doesn't have a valid passport, he'll need both his birth certificate and a valid photo ID. For many teenagers, that could be a driver's license. But even an official government ID without driving privilege is adequate. If your son doesn't already have a photo ID, I recommend that he submit an application to the state department of licensing to obtain an indenticard. He'll need that identification card to submit during online check-in. Since it may take a week or more for the State of Washington to issue an indenticard, I recommend applying as soon as possible.

    I hope that helps you get ready for your cruise, Leiu. As your embarkation day approaches, we hope you'll visit us again here at planDisney. We'd be happy to offer recommendations or answer other questions about how to make your Disney Cruise Line vacation as magical as possible.

    Have a great cruise, Leiu!
    ~Tony

thumbnail image for Tony

Meet the Panelist: Tony, Utah

Coming to you from the Beehive State, I’m a Disney-loving dad and husband, buzzing with excitement to share advice and tips for making your Disneyland Resort vacation as magical as possible! I’m excited to help you discover the storytelling magic of the “Happiest Place on Earth!” Learn More About Tony

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