This issue comes up from time to time. And, with all the changes in jurisdiction, it can be more than a little confusing. So rather than listen to rumors, or reports of the way it's always been in the past, I thought I'd (again) present the most recent policy:
Here is a direct quote from the U.S. Customs & Border Protection website:
https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/74:
If you are traveling in the Western Hemisphere (Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, Central and South America):
Air Travel: All U.S. citizens departing from or entering the United States from within the Western Hemisphere by air are required to present a valid passport, NEXUS card (if utilizing a NEXUS kiosk when departing from a designated Canadian airport). Merchant Mariner Document (for members of the U.S. armed forces traveling on official orders.) Note that children are also required to present their own passport when traveling by air.
Land or Sea Travel: U.S. citizens entering the United States by land or sea are required to present a valid WHTI-compliant document, which include:
- Passports
- U.S. Passport Cards
- Enhanced Driver's Licenses
- Trusted Traveler Cards (NEXUS, SENTRI, or FAST)
- Military Identification Cards (for members of the U.S. armed forces on official orders)
- U.S. Merchant Mariner Document (for U.S. citizens on official maritime business)
Now, before you jump to the conclusion that since you're traveling by cruise ship, you can get away with using an Enhanced (not regular) Driver's License or Trusted Traveler Card; consider this ...
If, for any reason, you must leave the ship and return to the US via air ... You will have to have a US Passport or US Pass Card. The EDL or TTC are not valid for re-entry to the United States via air travel !
Birth certificates are totally irrelevant. The only thing they will do is help your nephew and his wife if they need to get a passport issued at a US embassy in some other country, so they can then re-enter by air ...
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And, If you are thinking of taking any shorex which cross into Canada (there are quite a few and they are really worth it), again ... you will need a passport or pass card.
