cli638

I have checked this many times now but we are sort of paranoid about it. we both have our original US birth certificates with raised seals and drivers license. that is enough, correct? i know the rules are changing in December, but just want to make sure we aren't going to get stuck in Aruba!

alya

As a UK citizen living in the US it never ceases to amaze me that this is true, however

YES you are correct you don't need a passport to go to Aruba and you don't need one to come home either.

If fact since customs is in Aruba it makes the return journey easier, just allow enough time to get through - we were told 3 hrs.

IMHO there are worse places to get stuck have a wonderful time and STOP worrying

albee622

it would be worthwhile to get the passport thing going because i believe that as of january 1, 2006 a passport will be required to re enter the country no matter who you are and where you are coming from..

sara1274

Yes, at the present you can enter with original State issued birth certificate and valid license together with photo ID.

If time permits get a passport as it makes travel so much easier and will be required by year's end.

Dblebee

You may as well get a passport, I read an article about all islands requiring one within the next year or so. As stated, it is much easier to have one.

vengle

I didn't have a passport last year and my problem wasn't leaving Aruba it was leaving the US. Call your airline and double check w/ them. I bit the bullet on got a passport this year becuase I didn't want to go through that again. They literally wouldn't let me on the plane w/out a faxed copy my neighbor had to send to the ticket counter of my marriage license since my maiden name was on the birth certificate. Passports will ensure no problems.

shirleyk

You say you have checked several times but didn't say who you checked with. The airlines that will fly you to Aruba has the last say on who goes and who stays. We have seen many people held back at the gate while we were boarding a Aruba flight because of some problem with documentation. I would call the airline and ask very specific questions of them. If you have time, get a passport, they are good for ten years and all your worries will be over for ten years!!!!!

Curt

All things considered, I would not even think of leaving the borders of the USA without my passport. It makes everything much simpler and who knows what new rules could go in effect at any time without warning and suddenly you would not be allowed back in (especially if you look like a "terrorist&quot.......

Lois

The following information is from the Government's Passport Office:

The travel initiative requirements will be rolled out in phases, providing as much advance notice as possible to the affected public to enable them to meet the terms of the new guidelines. The proposed implementation timeline is as follows:

December 31, 2005 – Passport or other accepted document required for all travel (air/sea) to or from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Central and South America.

December 31, 2006 – Passport or other accepted document required for all air and sea travel to or from Mexico and Canada.

December 31, 2007 – Passport or other accepted document required for all air, sea and land border crossings.