You only need a birth certificate/driver's license to get in right? I don't have a passport and I'm just wondering if anyone else have used this option before when flying in. I know i should invest in one, but have been debating on changing my name.
shawn

You may be able to get in to Bonaire with your BC and DL but you may have trouble getting back into the USA. Check the US State Dept web site for better information.

I think getting back into the USA is the thing.
I thought that after Jan 1'06 you needed a passport to travel to most places in the carribean
There is a web site for passports and you can dial 1-800-ASK-USPS and get the location of the nearest post office that handles passports in your area and ask them.
I believe it can take up to 6 -8 weeks to get, but you can expediate it for a fee.

Bonaire requires a certified birth certificate with a raised seal and a backup photo id. The passsport reqirement for rentry was postponed and you should check with the state department as to the status of the change. You will not be denied access back to the US, however it seems to me that I would want to have a passport if not to save the hassle of standing in long lines, etc. The cost is well worth the convenience.

Shawn, I strongly urge you to get a passport. There may be more steps than before 9/11 but it's still painless. I just renewed my sons' passports and got them back in just under 5 weeks. The Dept of State website says 6 weeks or 2 weeks for expedited service for a fee. The new travel document requirements are at this URL:


http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html

Have a nice trip.

I agree, you should really get a passport now that you have the time. Soon, you'll need a passport for the Caribbean and Canada, along with everywhere else.

Shawn you will spend thousands of dollars changing your name... a few buck to eventually change your passport to your new name is a drop in the bucket.. Get a passport now to make passage to Bonaire easier.......

The latest requirements per the State Dept. can be seen here: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html

Looks to me like the requirement to have a passport has been extended til the end of this year for air travel to the caribbean. Like everyone else has said, however, I highly recommended getting your passport now.

If you change your name, I think you just mail your current passport and proof of change back to the passport agency and they make a permanent notation on the last page. My son's passport had his birthdate wrong and we did this when we realized it and it was no big deal.

Shawn, I just had some friends return from Bonaire in February. They both used their raised seal birth certificates with a photo ID and they had no hassle. I agree the passport is the way to go, but you shouldn't have any problems with just those documents. Make sure you have the raised seal on the birth certificate though -- that's a deal breaker.

I might finally invest in one then... 2 months till I'm there. I was just curious if anyone had any problems. I remember reading when I booked my flight that that was all that I needed. That's all i used for my trips to the bahmas and caymans since 9/11 and worked fine. Thanks for all the replies ;)