Documentation needed to enter and exit Bahamas

[LeeR]

Saw some posts last summer mentioning that you might need a passport to Travel between the Bahamas and the USA in the future. Can you still travel between the Bahamas and the USA with a raised seal birth certificate?

[floridacargocat]

Yes, you as a US citizen can return to the USA with just a birth certificate (original or notarized copy with raised seal). The current law says, that a US citizen must have a passport, when he/she is traveling outside the country. Air charter companies do ask more and more questions when it comes to verifying that the traveller is a US citizen or not. However, there is the so-called "Western Hemisphere exemption" which provides for the facility to return to the USA with just a birth certificate (this is only for US citizens). However, please be advised, that as part of the reform legislation, there are very concrete plans, to eliminate the "Western Hemisphere exemption" for US citizens. This reform legislation is a consequence of 9-11, and if you read the proposals which are discussed, there are some surprises.
When this thread was on the board this summer(passport requirements for US citizens), I did ask around, and the official answer at that time was, US citizens do not require a passport. And this answer was factually correct. Digging a little bit further, I came upon some legislative proposals which indicate a major change once approved by Congress, and Congress is still deliberating this issue as part of the overall reforms following 9-11.
One of the definite upcoming changes will be "biometric passports" (launch date sometime in 2005) and new standards for birth certificates. Furthermore some other exemptions (e.g. for Canadians) might be withdrawn as part of this legislation.
The proposed changes regarding passports will have an effect on the boating community.
Another upcoming major change will be new (expanded) data requirements for airline passengers (including charters). The launch date of this new requirement is not yet fixed, but it might come sooner than everybody thinks. And there are other indications that even private flyers might/will come under the provisions to submit an "advance electronic manifest" (this requirement is driven by TSA) for all the souls on board of a private aircraft. Please bear in mind, that TSA has been given very broad and extensive powers, and can institute laws (or regulations) on very short notice under the label of "Emergency Security directives" .

[Alan Brown]

When I flew back to the States in early Sept. I passed through Miami Intl. Airport. What a zoo! The long lines of Americans and foreigners waiting to go through Customs and Immigration were awesome.

I always travel with a passport and have found that it expedites my re-entry processing. The last thing I want to hear from a govt. agent is that I don't have all the necessary forms or paperwork.

In Sept., a quick scan of my passport and a couple of questions and I was waved on through. With just a birth certificate to prove my identity, I doubt that I would have been processed as quickly.

Nowadays, I think it's wiser to go with the flow and use a passport.

[LeeR]

I agree. I have a passport but we are taking our brother in law over and he has never been out of the country.

[bellavista]

My rant Lee. He needs to get one. Life is MUCH easier when you don't have to worry that some airport worker or bureaucrat won't like your docs.

My simple theory--if he has time to go to Bahamas, he has time to get a passport.

[Kimberly]

Especially when he can just do it online now, courtesy of http://www.travisa.com (http://www.travisa.com/).

[abacoflyer]

Lee, the following websites advertise 12 and 24 hour results:

www.itseasypassport.com (http://www.itseasypassport.com)

www.passportsandvisas.com (http://www.passportsandvisas.com)