After reaching Liberty Island, the Park Service website talks about a secondary security screening for those entering the Statue of Liberty. They seem strict, so I was wondering if my family would be allowed to take binoculars. It's my understanding that there is an observation area at the top of the Pedestal. Thanks in advance!

Hello! I'm planning a family trip to the Statue of Liberty, and I have a couple questions, please! From the Visit The Crown section, the National Park Service website says: "Tickets are non-transferable. The names of those in your party must be provided at the time of purchase"... "The name on the ticket must match the name on the photo ID for each ticket holder." It also says: "Each ticket holder will be required to show photo ID (except minors without ID) matching the name printed on the ticket prior to entering the Statue of Liberty." First question: My one daughter is 17 now, but will turn 18 in July. Our trip isn't until August. She doesn't drive and has no photo ID. Will she still be considered a minor at 18, or will this be a problem? If so, are there any acceptable substitutions? We're US citizens - would a US Birth Certificate work? Second question: my older daughter will be working a job during the summer months, and may not be able to make the trip. The backup plan is to have her uncle go with us and use her tickets for the SOL, Empire State, a Broadway Play, etc. But obviously, his ID won't match the name on the SOL ticket. The rules from the National Park Service website were quoted from the "Visit The Crown" section. However, those tickets are sold out for our travel dates, so we'll be doing the Pedestal instead. Do those rules about the non-transferable tickets and having the names printed on the tickets still apply for the Pedestal ? I have no alternatives - if my daughter can't make the trip, will her uncle need to wait out in the car while everyone else takes the ferry and SOL tour?

We have tickets to go up to the Statue of Liberty crown at 2pm from the NYC side. Will they let us board the ferry early so we can still make it Ellis Island? Or is there any way to see both as they say if you board at 2pm then there's not enough time to do both.