Short form vs long form birth certificate

[divaprincess]

I saw someone posted that a "long form" of the birth certificate was required for kids to check in at arrival. (we don't have passports) What the heck is that? When our kids were born (ages 9-15) what we got back from the state was a certificate that is postcard size. It lists their names, birth dates, DOB, raised seal, both parents names & file date. I've asked twice at the courthouse if this is what they need & have been told yes it's a legal document as long as it has both parents names it's fine. I live in Iowa if this helps anyone to give me an answer We sail in a week & I want to be sure I don't have some upset kids come next week. Can anyone help calm my nerves about this???

 

[allears]

Someone double check me, but I think the long form means that it has both parent's names on it, as you described. You should be fine, but again, someone double check me?

I'm pretty sure that the long form vs short form doesn't really mean the size of the document, but the information on it.

 

[divaprincess]

They told me at the county courthouse that as long as it has both parents names that's what they need. That's what it has. But, if you look online what long form means it has the hospital, doctor, time of birth on it. Can't imagine why DCL would need that but stranger things have happened.

Someone double check me, but I think the long form means that it has both parent's names on it, as you described. You should be fine, but again, someone double check me?

I'm pretty sure that the long form vs short form doesn't really mean the size of the document, but the information on it.

 

[allears]

This made me think and go back and check mine. My original birth certificate only has my name and DOB. This is what was called the short form. I'm pretty sure, at least in my state they've issued long forms for many years. I had to get my long form bc in order to apply for my passport a few years ago, so I just looked at that too. It has my name, DOB and both my patents' names on it. It does have time of day and the city etc on it. So I'm pretty sure your're good with what form you have. They need proof of citizenship and who the parents are. You should be fine. But if your still concerned give Dcl a call. They will be able to confirm that you have what you need.

Have a great cruise.

 

[divaprincess]

Thanks! Yep, it has both parents names so I think that's probably what they are looking for.

This made me think and go back and check mine. My original birth certificate only has my name and DOB. This is what was called the short form. I'm pretty sure, at least in my state they've issued long forms for many years. I had to get my long form bc in order to apply for my passport a few years ago, so I just looked at that too. It has my name, DOB and both my patents' names on it. It does have time of day and the city etc on it. So I'm pretty sure your're good with what form you have. They need proof of citizenship and who the parents are. You should be fine. But if your still concerned give Dcl a call. They will be able to confirm that you have what you need.

Have a great cruise.

 

[cyntex1]

If DCL says you need long form you can get this at the Dept of Vital Statistics office in your state. Hope this helps.

 

[ohanaMAMA]

you cannot cruise with those pocket size birth certificates. A long form birth certificate has both parents names on it and is on official state paper with a lazer seal and a raised seal on it. In our state (SC) you must write to the state capital or actually go there to the records office to request one.

 

[TXDCLfan]

you cannot cruise with those pocket size birth certificates. A long form birth certificate has both parents names on it and is on official state paper with a lazer seal and a raised seal on it. In our state (SC) you must write to the state capital or actually go there to the records office to request one.

Please note that these days not all states/counties use the "raised seal" some use holograms,water marks or other forms of identification.

 

[kalc12345]

you cannot cruise with those pocket size birth certificates. A long form birth certificate has both parents names on it and is on official state paper with a lazer seal and a raised seal on it. In our state (SC) you must write to the state capital or actually go there to the records office to request one.

Not all have the raised seal. We are in SC too and ours does not have a raised seal (we got them 2 years ago).

 

[neg58]

you cannot cruise with those pocket size birth certificates. A long form birth certificate has both parents names on it and is on official state paper with a lazer seal and a raised seal on it. In our state (SC) you must write to the state capital or actually go there to the records office to request one.

All states are different. Mine (MA) is a legal size piece of paper that is just a photocopy of a microfish page. I can see the person born before me and after me. There is a 'seal' on it, but it's a clerk's stamp, like a notary stamp. Not very impressive at all. My kids (CO) have 'real' certificates with seals and stamps and registration numbers.

Nancy

 

[FabFivePA]

I saw someone posted that a "long form" of the birth certificate was required for kids to check in at arrival. (we don't have passports) What the heck is that? When our kids were born (ages 9-15) what we got back from the state was a certificate that is postcard size. It lists their names, birth dates, DOB, raised seal, both parents names & file date. I've asked twice at the courthouse if this is what they need & have been told yes it's a legal document as long as it has both parents names it's fine. I live in Iowa if this helps anyone to give me an answer We sail in a week & I want to be sure I don't have some upset kids come next week. Can anyone help calm my nerves about this???

Two of my children born in one state have really nice 8 1/2 x 11 birth certificates on fancy paper with ALL the info on it, time, doc, etc, etc.
My other one born in a different state has what you are describing, a little bigger than a postcard with her name, our names, date, and county she was born in. No long form, no doctor, time, hospital, etc. We had no issues at all with her traveling with this both cruising and once to Canada.

you cannot cruise with those pocket size birth certificates. A long form birth certificate has both parents names on it and is on official state paper with a lazer seal and a raised seal on it. In our state (SC) you must write to the state capital or actually go there to the records office to request one.

As an FYI, not sure on kids, but as an adult I had no problems cruising Disney with a pocketsized/business card sized birth certificate. It does have a raised seal on it. It doesn't have my parents' names on it.

 

[lanejudy]

I saw someone posted that a "long form" of the birth certificate was required for kids to check in at arrival. (we don't have passports) What the heck is that? When our kids were born (ages 9-15) what we got back from the state was a certificate that is postcard size. It lists their names, birth dates, DOB, raised seal, both parents names & file date. I've asked twice at the courthouse if this is what they need & have been told yes it's a legal document as long as it has both parents names it's fine. I live in Iowa if this helps anyone to give me an answer We sail in a week & I want to be sure I don't have some upset kids come next week. Can anyone help calm my nerves about this???

OP, these should be good. You've indicated the very items that are required to be a "certified" birth certificate - name, DOB, parents names and a raised seal.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[Madzac]

We live in Iowa and yes what you have is the official form. It has both parents names and registrar signature. I have the long form for one of my kids because her name was spelled wrong on her original and we were sent a long form in replacement. It has more info on it but the smaller one has everything you need!

 

[tvguy]

Short form birth certificates are basically informational only, no legal weight.

Long form can have a raised seal, or be on engraved paper, which is what you need for a passports, drivers license or job.

 

[divaprincess]

Thank you! I went to the county courthouse today to confirm & they said what we have exactly what we need. But, to be safe I paid the $ for each of the kids "long form" certificates. Better safe than sorry I guess!

We live in Iowa and yes what you have is the official form. It has both parents names and registrar signature. I have the long form for one of my kids because her name was spelled wrong on her original and we were sent a long form in replacement. It has more info on it but the smaller one has everything you need!