Disney Cruise Line: Birth Certificate Photocopies No Longer Accepted

As of yesterday, Disney Cruise Line is no longer accepting photocopies of birth certificates as proof of citizenship. The company shared the following in an email sent to guests:

“We are reaching out with important information about the citizenship documentation required for Guests planning to sail using their birth certificates and a government-issued photo ID. For round-trip sailings departing from the U.S., Guests using a birth certificate as citizenship documentation are reminded that only an original state-issued birth certificate is acceptable. Guests 16 years of age and older are also required to present a physical government-issued photo ID. Children 15 years of age and younger will need to present an original state-issued birth certificate but do not need to present a government-issued photo ID. Photocopies of birth certificates will not be accepted.”

Disney Cruise Line

Visit DCL’s required documentation page for all the details.

I was curious as to why Disney was clarifying something I thought would be obvious, so I asked some experts. DCL Duo told us that Disney’s required documents policy “was previously unclear and creating guest issues.” It didn’t help that DCL has unofficially accepted photocopies in the past. That kind of info was no doubt shared in countless Facebook DCL groups, making the unofficial policy the law of the land. Yesterday’s email should provide the clarity everyone needs.

In addition to DCL Duo, I also rely heavily on DCL Cruising Dad for solid Disney Cruise info and tips.