Another New Visitor to DR

Krissy5 · #1 01-15-2003, 06:11 PM

My husband and I will be leaving for DR in 10 days for the first time. I thought that we would be OK with birth certificates and picture ID's as we do not have passports. I keep reading that DR may require passports, can anyone who has been there within the last month sort this out?

Thanks

MaineGirl · #2 01-15-2003, 06:12 PM

A US citizen may enter the DR with a valid birth certificate and license as far as I know.

Krissy5 · #3 01-15-2003, 06:20 PM

Oh good!! I don't know if I would have enough time to get passports. Thanks for your quick response.

Musicqueen · #4 01-15-2003, 06:42 PM

If you have the tickets on hand, you can get your US passports in 3 days...but you have to show the tickets!

My son travelled with only his birth certificate and driver's license, though...back in August...I don't think it's changed...

Ken · #5 01-15-2003, 08:03 PM

Krissy, don't worry. If from the US, no passport needed. See this link http://www.travel.state.gov/dominican_republic.html

Escott · #6 01-16-2003, 12:38 AM

Jesus, get a passport anyway. Makes things easier all around.

Hillbilly · #7 01-16-2003, 02:26 PM

A passport is nice to have so you shoud get one.
It is an absolute proof of identity, since you must furnish a copy of your birth certificate from the state where you were born.
It opens a lot of doors.
It serves as a nice reminder of all the places you went.
Even if it needs to be renewed, it is still proof of citizenship!
They are so valuable that in some places with world-class forgers an authentic US passport can bring up to 20 thousand dollarrs.
Do not try to "lose"your passport, since the State Department puts you on a list and if it turns up later on an illegal immigrant you are in deep poopy....

HB

Krissy5 · #8 01-16-2003, 04:45 PM

I will definately be looking into passports when we get back for DR. Most of the travelling we have done has been within the US like Hawaii, Virgin Islands, Bahamas, nowhere we we ever needed a passport, but since 9/11 things are certainly different. Thanks for all your help guys!

#9 01-16-2003, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Krissy5
My husband and I will be leaving for DR in 10 days for the first time. I thought that we would be OK with birth certificates and picture ID's as we do not have passports. I keep reading that DR may require passports, can anyone who has been there within the last month sort this out?

Thanks

Just check with your airline, their requirements are as tough if not tougher than immigration as they face hefty fines and transport of the person without proper documentation

Be careful, there have veen many changes since 1 December regarding Passports, many countries that formely required only photo ID's or Birth Certificates now require Passports, this was found out the hard way in Costa Rica

Susan Greco · #10 01-17-2003, 03:27 PM

"Do not try to "lose"your passport, since the State Department puts you on a list and if it turns up later on an illegal immigrant you are in deep poopy.... "

Hillbilly - sounds to me like there is a story to be told regarding this one!

Get a passport asap - as said before, if nothing else everytime you look at it, there are great memories associated with those little stamps~ Mine expired last year (2 days after arriving back from DR) and I am sad that now I must get a new one before we head out on vacation this year. That new one won't have all those memories associated with it.

The Department of State website should answer all your passport questions - check on the travel announcement pages for any specific things you may need for travel to DR, according to it, you are ok with birth certificate and picture id - http://travel.state.gov/passport_services.html