Important ? regarding passport

[DominicanHeart]

We're leaving on Wednesday for POP and my sister just discovered that her passport is expired. She called the passport office to get an appointment and they're telling her the 1st available appointment is 8/3, which obviously does not help her. Many people have told me that they have travelled to DR with an expired passport, original birth certficate and license. Anyone have any first hand experience or advice?? I would hate for her not to be able to go!!

P.S. It's an American passport.

[BigCity27]

state-issued birth certificate & valid driver's license will suffice

[Ricardo900]

Originally Posted by BigCity27

state-issued birth certificate & valid driver's license will suffice

I do it all the time!
But the state department has issued a warning of Dominican Custom Agents not allowing US citizens to leave the country without a valid passport and thereby sending them to the US consulant for a passport

[Hillbilly]

Your passport.

Just use the birthcertificate and the DL as proof of citizenship when you enter and leave---

DR authorities have no authority over US citizens ID. You can use your BC and DL and only show the Passport to US officials. After all it is they that say whether you can enter or leave the US of A.

The DR wants tourists. So all you need is "proof of citizenship." And a valid Birth Certificate and a Drivers License are sufficient. Just keep the passport as back up. I have travelled for years on expired passports...Even expired , they are the best proof of identy going.

Don't sweat it

HB

[KenoshaChris]

I've seen many people enter USA with birth certificate and driver's license. They tend to get held up in the lines though. I travel with passport, certified copy of birth certificate and driver's license just in case . . . . I also keep money in the bank there just in case . . . .

[Dolores]

Originally Posted by Ricardo900

I do it all the time!
But the state department has issued a warning of Dominican Custom Agents not allowing US citizens to leave the country without a valid passport and thereby sending them to the US consulant for a passport

While the warning exists, the first case of someone sent back has yet to happen. I believe this is just a bluff way to get Americans to get their passports.

[Ricardo900]

Originally Posted by Dolores

While the warning exists, the first case of someone sent back has yet to happen. I believe this is just a bluff way to get Americans to get their passports.

You're probably right, the US can track someones comings and goings thru their passport.

[SafireDream]

A Dl and birth certificate are sufficient. Also, if your sister has a different last name than what is on her birth certificate (due to marriage or divorce,etc) she will need to show proof of the name change. A certified copy of the marriage license or divorce decree should do.

[ricktoronto]

Originally Posted by Ricardo900

I do it all the time!
But the state department has issued a warning of Dominican Custom Agents not allowing US citizens to leave the country without a valid passport and thereby sending them to the US consulant for a passport

Utter nonsense. My friend just got back to the DR from NYC, using an expired drivers license and a copy of his birth certificate. No hassle going in either direction. Well one thing: the migracion on exit tried to charge 2000 pesos for overstaying his tourist card about 2 years but that is not the right fee and he refused to pay it and they backed down to the amount on the signs.

The minute one tourist with a library card and a bus pass tries to leave and gets sent to the Consulate (not consultant) they say "there have been cases". Millions of travellers ,especially charters would be compromised and the DR ain't stupid. What you do encounter are people with similar features trying to get out using relatives' ID, hence this sort of double confirmation happening. And by bet rarely and my bet is when and if it does there is a game afoot.

All that aside, I agree that it makes much more sense to have and use a valid passport when travelling outside your home country. One good reason is any sort of plans to exit in a hurry via other than the USA would fall apart without one. No trips via Panama, Cuba, etc., in an emergency. Canada is cool with US residents and non-passport travel though.

[Wannago]

Originally Posted by ricktoronto

Utter nonsense. My friend just got back to the DR from NYC, using an expired drivers license and a copy of his birth certificate. No hassle going in either direction. Well one thing: the migracion on exit tried to charge 2000 pesos for overstaying his tourist card about 2 years but that is not the right fee and he refused to pay it and they backed down to the amount on the signs.

The minute one tourist with a library card and a bus pass tries to leave and gets sent to the Consulate (not consultant) they say "there have been cases". Millions of travellers ,especially charters would be compromised and the DR ain't stupid. What you do encounter are people with similar features trying to get out using relatives' ID, hence this sort of double confirmation happening. And by bet rarely and my bet is when and if it does there is a game afoot.

All that aside, I agree that it makes much more sense to have and use a valid passport when travelling outside your home country. One good reason is any sort of plans to exit in a hurry via other than the USA would fall apart without one. No trips via Panama, Cuba, etc., in an emergency. Canada is cool with US residents and non-passport travel though.

I just went thru 2 different customs stations between Canada and U.S. this past week and they both examined my passport more than when I arrived and left the D.R. They asked more questions... almost broke out in a sweat.. like I was guilty of something.

Deb