Beat Up Birth Certificate

[CheapMom]

My husband's BC looks like a beat up Xerox but it does have the raised seal. My birth certificate is in good condition and it does have a raised seal but you can barely tell it is raised. You have to turn it over and run your fingers over the seal and even then you can just barely feel the embossment.
What should I do?

 

[Cooltrainer]

His bc will be fine.... All that matters is that it has the raised seal. If you can read it- don't worry. I had to get a new birth certificate for my husband because the seal was attached by another sheet of paper stapled to the original. Since it wasn't actually on the document itself, I ordered a new one..... $61.00 later!!

 

[Jillpie]

If it is a really big worry for you, you just need to call the town hall where you were both born, and they will replace it for 5.00 with a request letter. Very easy. At least that is what they are doing for me.

 

[CheapMom]

Thanks- I have already sent away for 2 of my kids replacement birth certificates (unfortunately they are 12 bucks here in MD) I am going to wait and see how they look- if they are like mine with the slight embossment I guess I will just use mine as is. If their seals are far more obvious than mine I will replace mine.
Thanks-
Mary
The good news and the bad news is: I have plenty of time

 

[toot2]

I don't know if they ever deny boarding the ship because of issues with birth certificates and proper photo id.

I agree with Jillpie, just request another copy, it's not worth the worry.

I got my certified birth certificate online at
www.vitalchek.com
It was 14.95 plus shipping.

Sue

 

[CheapMom]

If the copy is going to be exactly like the one I already have there would be no point in requesting another one. I will see what my kid's replacements look like- than I will know if mine is defective.
I guess my DH's is fine since it clearly sports the raised seal.

 

[mikeymars]

I have to admit that having read cruise boards on various sites for years, I still don't understand why people spend so much time, money and effort on the weak form of I.D. called a birth certificate.

Made of paper, they were never designed to be travel I.D. Many don't have a seal, and none of them wear well, particularly when stuffed into bags, folded, etc (which is why cruise boards are always full of these "the certificate doesn't have a seal, the seal isn't raised, the certificate is all worn out, yada yada yada ...") posts.

When we cruise next March, we won't have to worry about ANY of that nonsense. Why?

Since 1989, everyone in our family has had the best form of inarguable I.D. that is specifically designed for travel. Getting them was hardly more involved than getting a replacement birth certificate, and they're good for a decade, and easy to renew.

What is this wonderful thing? It's called a PASSPORT, and it's what the smart money uses.

AND YOU CAN GET YOURS HERE:

http://travel.state.gov/passport_services.html

 

[toot2]

is how I found out my birth certificate WASN"T acceptable.

What would have happened if I had been told this at embarkation? Don't want to even think about it!!! There's mom at the DCL terminal waving good-bye to hubby and the kids as they leave on the Magic!! Talk about a nightmare!

I had used my old birth certificate when traveling out of the US
before without a problem so I thought it was okay. But post 9/11 is a different world so be prepared.


Good Luck
Sue

 

[mickeyfan9194]

Excuse me, but maybe I didn't understand your post correctly--you say birth certificates aren't meant for travel purposes, yet Disney says they're just fine as proof of identification and US residency. And for families that rarily travel outside the US, why in the world would I want to pay all that extra money (approx. $90 per person), when I can accomplish the same thing for free? I guess I'll just hang on to my DUMB money and spend it on our upcoming cruise.

 

[TheWog]

He didn't say they are not a valid form of ID, just that the BC document itself wasn't intended at its inception to be a travel document. Yes, they will accept the BC, but you also need a photo ID for those over 18. Where a Passport is the actual U.S. travel document created and issued by the U.S. government for those intending to travel outside the borders of the United States and is all contained in one document. For a small cost of $85.00 the passport is valid for 10 years. Children cost $70.00 and are usually good for 5 years. Passports are the way to go if you expect to travel at all outside the U.S. or if you have any doubts about your current ID.

Changes are happening quickly and suddenly, Barbados for instance. It almost happened that any ship that stopped there would require its passengers to be in possession of valid passports. Those passengers would have been denied boarding without them, they have since issued an exception for cruise ship passengers, but regular U.S. travelers are required to carry a passport.

With all the post 9/11 changes within the USCIS and DHS you never know when the requirement may come about. If we require all these other countries to comply with our rules for entry they may begin to do so for our citizens as well. For the foreseeable future there are no issues to be concerned about, but why take the risk with all that money spent on a cruise. Just my comments.

Plus my DS7 thinks its cool to have.... and show to anyone who cares to see his ID

 

[Rence]

The world is changing and passports are going to be required in more and more situations.

Yes, at this point in time a birth certificate is still acceptable in many cases.

But if you are in doubt at all, you are safer to get a passport. Toot2 points out that she discovered a problem with her birth certificate when applying for a passport. She had time to get the situation corrected.

How much of a savings is it when you are at the port and denied bording because of a problem with your identification?

The rules are getting stricter and enforcement is getting stricter.

If you have a good copy of an official birth certificate with the proper seal etc. If that birth certificate is from inside the US. If the name on the birth certificate matches the name on your other identification (with the exception of a last name change due to marriage) you are probably fine and can feel comfortable going with you birth certificate.

If you have any questions or concerns. If there is anything unusual regarding your birth certificate (foreign, in bad shape and not too readable, name is significantly different than on your other ID etc.) then give your self the peace of mind and get a passport.

 

[Greysword]

Another point in favor of the Passort is traveling outside of the cruise ship. If you or someone you are with gets ill/hurt, thrown in jail, miss the ship, or other things, you may not be able to travel back to the US from a foreign country (St. Martin, Curaco, Panama, etc) without a valid passport. Birth Certificates are not valid forms of ID for air travel, unfortunately.

Better safe than sorry, in my opinion.

Passports can also act as a primary or second form of indentification for other legal matters while at home. You will have it should you take a cruise in the Mediteranian or simply want to take a holiday one time to an island resort (as a land vacation). The passports are issued by the State Department, thus by getting one you will have registered and be in their database if your other ID and documents get lost or stolen in a foreign country. Just walk into the embassy, and they should have a record of you and can issue alternate papers.

Besides the fact that BCs are simply proof of birth and are printed on flimsy paper stock, the other advantages of a passport may need to be considered.

Just my thoughts.

 

[Aquagirl]

In CT you are able to get a raised seal birth certificate that is about the size of a credit card and laminated. It is a great size that fits in your wallet. It is the same price as a paper certificate. You have to ask for it because many town halls just give the paper one. I would ask your town hall if they provide this type of birth certificate.

 

[mikeymars]

>>Excuse me, but maybe I didn't understand your post correctly--you say birth certificates aren't meant for travel purposes, yet Disney says they're just fine as proof of identification and US residency.<<

In response, a few points:

Disney only says that for two reasons: first, they - like other mid-market cruise lines -- understand that a huge percentage of their clients are travel neophytes, and they don't want to scare off sales by implying a passport is necessary or preferable. Unfortunately, they don't bother to mention that heaven knows how many of those clients subsequently end up having problems with birth certificates, because -- as was stated previously -- they were never designed to be employed as travel i.d..

Second, given the very limited itineraries DCL does, for the moment they are still getting away by living in the pre 9/11 environment. Ergo, the handful of islands they go to have -- in the interest of attracting tourism dollars -- still retained very liberal immigration rules (albeit, as Wog and Rence have observed, that is beginning to change. I'm willing to bet that the "no passport necessary" party the casual travelers have been enjoying will be over within a few years).

>>And for families that rarily (SIC) travel outside the US, why in the world would I want to pay all that extra money (approx. $90 per person), when I can accomplish the same thing for free?<<

Free? Just on this thread, we have someone who had to spend $61 to get a birth certificate that had the proper seal! If I had a nickel for every dollar people have spent "fixing" birth certificate problems on every "I'm having problems with a birth certificate" thread I've seen on various cruise boards, I could have retired by now.

>>I guess I'll just hang on to my DUMB money and spend it on our upcoming cruise.<<

And I'll board without ever worrying about whether my documents are in order.

Which is PRICELESS.

 

[mikeymars]

>>In CT you are able to get a raised seal birth certificate that is about the size of a credit card and laminated. It is a great size that fits in your wallet. It is the same price as a paper certificate. You have to ask for it because many town halls just give the paper one. I would ask your town hall if they provide this type of birth certificate.<<

That's wonderful, if (a) you happen to live in that particular state (one of the smallest in the country), and (b) as long as you only plan to travel to countries that don't require a passport (which, as discussed in prior posts, is becoming a shrinking list in the post 9/11 world), and (c) have some sort of 100% guarantee that you will never fall into any sort of legal or emergency situation while on shore.

 

[TheWog]

check out this thread too ... more info re: DCL and Passports

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=563772

Passport info

http://travel.state.gov/passport_services.html

 

[Aquagirl]

I was stating that you are able to receive this type of birth certificate as an option. Connecticut is not the only state that does this, New York does too by the way. If you are looking for a "sturdier" birth certificate this is an option. Cruising is not the only reason why some need a birth certificate. Some posters that ask birth certificate questions do not have the 6 weeks to wait for a passport. Plus you need a certified birth certificate inorder to receive a passport.

I agree that it is best to have a passport and that is what I use. I am just trying to offer options in a kind NON-RUDE manner to other posters rather than dictate that they should get a passport.

 

[mikeymars]

>>Some posters that ask birth certificate questions do not have the 6 weeks to wait for a passport.<<

Six weeks ?!? You can get them in 24 hours!

Yes, for those who procrastinate, passports are available in much less time than six weeks. Both the State Department itself and a large number of private agencies offer "expedited service" that delivers a passport within as little as a single day (granted, for a premium; procrastination has a price):

http://www.passportexpress.com

http://www.americanpassport.com

A single day doesn't sound so bad compared to those who end up having to make requests for replacement birth certificates by mail to out of state localities, a process I wouldn't describe as particularly expeditious.

Bottom line: the "a passport is overkill" crowd here seems to base it core arguments on the presumption that a passport is too time intensive and/or too expensive to get, or that nobody bothers to pay attention to documentation requirements far in advance of their departure.

I find all three objections amusing coming from people who spend thousands of dollars on a cruise, and endless hours discussing every nattering little detail of it on it the internet a year in advance of the sailing.

 

[CheapMom]

mikeymars - you really love passports- I'm glad you have apassion in life

 

[mikeymars]

>>you really love passports<<

Right now, I just like them. If I ever run into an emergency while overseas, perhaps then I'll love them.