Birth Certificate Question

[Rpo0921]

I have a copy of my birth certificate with the raised seal.

I ordered another copy that looks identical with the exception of the first being from the state and the new copy being from the city and the seal on the new copy not being raised. The look identical otherwise, paper and everything.

Does anyone know if the new copy is valid for identification? I specifically looked for any small print about being for information purposes only or not for identification or something. None of that is present.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I have a copy of my birth certificate with the raised seal.

I ordered another copy that looks identical with the exception of the first being from the state and the new copy being from the city and the seal on the new copy not being raised. The look identical otherwise, paper and everything.

Does anyone know if the new copy is valid for identification? I specifically looked for any small print about being for information purposes only or not for identification or something. None of that is present.

Not all birth certificates have a "raised" seal. If it's not valid for identification, it will say so.

 

[lanejudy]

Does the new one have a watermark?

 

[Rpo0921]

Does the new one have a watermark?

no. It has the security print saying vital record if you hold it up to light though.

 

[lanejudy]

no. It has the security print saying vital record if you hold it up to light though.

That’s what makes it “official”

 

[auntlynne]

The 3rd item (Italicized, underlined) + Item 1, following addresses the city as acceptable source. But also needs to meet rest of requirements.

From TSA:

Birth Certificate Guidance​

TSA will accept only the following birth records:

• A long-form U.S. state/territory-issued certified/sealed Birth Certificate; or
• A U.S. state/territory-issued certified/sealed Birth Abstract that meets the requirements of a Birth Certificate (see below. Please note that Birth Registration/Certificate of Birth Registration records are not acceptable); or
• A birth certification card that meets the requirements of a Birth Certificate or abstract (see below) (Birth Registration or Notification cards are not acceptable); or
• An electronic “Birth Certify” birth record obtained through NAPHSIS/EVVE.

Document Requirements for Birth Certificates/Birth Certification Cards/Certified Abstracts of Birth

1. Issued by the city, county, or state of birth
2. Lists applicant’s full name, date of birth, and place of birth
3. Lists parent(s) full names.
   • A full name consists of a first and last name; middle name is not required. "Unknown” entries for one or both parents on a valid birth certificate are acceptable, as long as the parent names fields are present. Additionally, a blank space or asterisks (****) in the space where a mother’s and/or father’s name would be listed will be deemed acceptable, since there is no standard input across agencies to indicate that one or both parents are unknown.
4. Has the signature of the city, county, or state official or registrar.
5. Has the date filed with registrar's office.
6. Has the seal of issuing authority (seals may appear, but are not required to be printed, as an embossed or raised overt security feature).

TSA will NOT accept Birth “Registration” or “Notification” Cards, or Birth Registration/Certificate of Birth Registration records.
Unacceptable U.S. Birth Documents

• Document illegible due to wear/tear or damage
• Private hospital-issued document
• Any birth document titled with the word “Registration” or “Notification”
• Foreign Birth document that is not an acceptable State Department record of birth abroad
• State-issued document stating applicant was born in a foreign country
• Puerto Rican Birth Certificates issued before July 1, 2010
  • The Government of Puerto Rico passed a law invalidating all Puerto Rican birth certificates issued prior to July 1, 2010, and replacing them with enhanced security birth certificates with features to combat passport fraud and identity theft.
  • Only Puerto Rican birth certificates issued on or after July 1, 2010 will be accepted as primary evidence of U.S. citizenship.
• “No Record Certification of Birth” document
• Notarized copies of documents and digital identity documents are not acceptable.

……….…………..

No raised seal?

“A certified copy of a birth certificate has an official state registrar's raised, embossed, impressed or multicolored seal, registrar's signature, and the date the certificate was filed with the registrar's office, which must be within one year of the person's date of birth.Sep 2, 2021
https://www.thoughtco.com/get-copy-of-your-birth-certificate-3321075#:~:text=A certified copy of a,the person's date of birth.

Get a Certified Copy of Your Birth Certificate - ThoughtCo”​

Check online to see what method documents in your state should have.

 

[Lucien Franciosa]

I feel obligated to say, and I apologize no doubt you have considered this, but while technically a birth certificate will do to get on board an actual passport is by far the preferred document. Why? In case you go off the boat in a foreign country and for whatever reason get left behind. Then you are in trouble, birth certificate wont help you get home. I know, far fetched, but it has happened to folks. If time is the issue, there is a thread here regarding obtaining a passport online that seems to be faster and easier than the standard approach.

 

[lanejudy]

there is a thread here regarding obtaining a passport online that seems to be faster and easier than the standard approach

I believe it's only an option for passport renewals not first time applicants (or those with a long-expired passport).

 

[Lucien Franciosa]

I believe it's only an option for passport renewals not first time applicants (or those with a long-expired passport).

thanks for the clarification... I am unaware of the OP's circumstances, but felt for prosperity it might be a good suggestion to have it hanging out there. I think most would agree a passport is better if possible? Maybe I am wrong on that

 

[auntlynne]

I feel obligated to say, and I apologize no doubt you have considered this, but while technically a birth certificate will do to get on board an actual passport is by far the preferred document. Why? In case you go off the boat in a foreign country and for whatever reason get left behind. Then you are in trouble, birth certificate wont help you get home. I know, far fetched, but it has happened to folks. If time is the issue, there is a thread here regarding obtaining a passport online that seems to be faster and easier than the standard approach.

Definitely. And they will need that official birth certificate to get a passport.

 

[Lucien Franciosa]

Definitely. And they will need that official birth certificate to get a passport.

Fair enough but I think I won’t delete my comment as the context of the original question was identification for Disney or maybe that’s just how I read it. But I promise never to say passport again lol.

 

[auntlynne]

Fair enough but I think I won’t delete my comment as the context of the original question was identification for Disney or maybe that’s just how I read it. But I promise never to say passport again lol.

Don’t remove those PSAs about passports!

Or travel insurance.

Or flying in the day before the cruise.

Sunscreen and water shoes.

… and the idea of relax and enjoy the cruise - Disney has tried to make it easy to cruise without a lot of pre-planning.

Other than apply for a passport with plenty of lead time. But that’s on the State Department.

And remember to make a Future Cruise Deposit before you leave the ship. Even if you are unsure. You would probably regret it (I am that lesson - several times).