birth certificate question

[PRaffen]

Just want to double check - I pulled out our birth certificates and notice my husband's says certificate of birth registration (says that this is to certify that a birth certificate has been filed). Our other two both say certificate of birth. DH's has the raised seal. Anyone else have one like this that has been okay?

 

[hydster]

Sounds to me as if dh's birth certificate is actually a record of birth and that you need to get a certified copy of his birth certificate. Record of birth is generally not accepted although I'm sure a few have slipped through but if it were me I'd make sure that you have one that says certified copy not that a copy has been filed. They don't need raised seals but they do need to be certified. If you can get a copy from your vital statistics office I'd do it just to make sure...nothing worse than getting there and having them deny your dh access because of the wrong form of documentation.

JMHO
Heidi

 

[kcashner]

The key is the raised seal. While there is now a standard form used throughout the US, this wasn't the case 25+ years ago. Then, each state could develop their own form, and many said different things.

Some states considered that the only "birth certificate" was the one the doc signed. All others are "certificate of birth registration" which means that the original has been filed with the state. THis certificate of birth registration has the requisite raised seal and is exactly what (in other states) is titled a birth certificate. You can always call DCL to be sure, but if it has the seal, it will fly!

 

[staceymerrill]

http://www.vitalchek.com/?clicked=1 This site may be able too help you...

 

[hydster]

From Disneycruise.com website

What form of Identification do I need to bring?

All U.S. and Canadian citizens must travel with proof of citizenship, which is a valid passport, original, state-certified birth certificate and picture identification, or a certified naturalization certificate with a picture identification. Acceptable forms of picture identification are state or provincial driver's license, or federal, state, province or local government photo I.D. card. Guests age 17 and under who are U.S. or Canadian citizens are only required to have proof of citizenship, excluding picture identification. These guidelines are based on U.S. government regulations which are subject to change at any time. It is the Guest's responsibility to check with their Travel Agent, government agencies, embassies or consulates prior to their vacation to ensure that they have proper documentation. Any Guest traveling without proper documentation will not be allowed to board the vessel and no refund of cruise fare will be issued.

It does not mention raised seals any longer it says certified copy. If it were me...I wouldn't mess around with symantics..if possible I'd get a new one no matter what that actually says CERTIFIED COPY on it (but then that's just me).

 

[PRaffen]

Thanks for all the replies.

Just called the DCL but the documentation department is closed so will try them again tomorrow.

I'd definitely rather be safe than sorry so if they can't give me definite information will get another BC.

Pat

 

[scrapperjill]

It's hard to say with all the states and so many varietys of BC whats good and whats not...My original bc from the hospital has a nice gold raised "seal" on it...but it's not a certified copy of my bc...Like I mentioned it is the original hospital bc w/ my feet prints and a seal...but it wont work for travle outside the US....It's worked for everthing else...drivers licenses...proof of id at times...but not for a passport (or travel out side the US).

So IMO...it's better to be safe than sorry in the long run....you sould be able to go down to the Vital records department in any town in the State you were born in and ask...if it's the real deal.

And another bit of info...it's much, much cheeper to go directly to the sorce...than to go through "Vitalcheck.com"

I can totally see what kcashner is saying. It makes alot of sence...but I know from experiences the "hospital" bc...although original with a seal...won't work.

 

[PRaffen]

Yes it's a good heads up about the hospital BC not being acceptable.

That's why I pulled out our BC's this early to double check every ones - my best friend's daughter went to leave on her honeymoon last week but was denied boarding. She only had her hospital BC but because it had the raised seal she thought it would be okay. All worked out fine - the airlines rebooked them at no charge and their resort changed the reservations (no charge) but a very tearful bride at the airport.

DH's is not a hospital BC but am following up with DCL just to be sure. Better safe than sorry.

 

[kcashner]

Totally correct that hospital "birth certificates" do not work. These are not legal documents, no matter what they look like. It must be the state issued birth certificate. Sorry if my earlier post caused confusion.

I'm an obstetrician...so I'm familiar with the fact that some states many years ago considered there to be only one real "birth certificate," and that was the one that the delivering physician signed and the hospital then sent to the state to "register" the birth. The state then issued a "certificate of birth registration" to the parents. In most states, this was just titled "Certificate of Birth." Then...the feds got into the picture and most states went to the standardized "Certificate of Live Birth" form. Oh what fun terminology can be.

 

[CM_Mom]

Some folks get trip insurance for peace of mind. I got a passport..then there's no question. Just MHO.

 

[scrapperjill]

We are also planning on getting passports. Suppose to go out Friday afternoon and get our photos for them...but I think I'm going to have to pospone until Monday....I have a house full of kids (sleepover)...So Monday it is Does anyone know aprox how long it takes to recieve the passport after the papers are filed?? We will end up doing the papers and photos all on Monday.

Funny thing though to get the passport you need the certified birth certificiate. But I figure it will be much easer with a passport than just a paper bc.

 

[TheWog]

Originally posted by scrapperjill
Does anyone know aprox how long it takes to recieve the passport after the papers are filed??

They usually tell you about 6 weeks. We were lucky and received them back in less than 3. Of course, different agencies times differ and you are in a popular vacation month for the workers, but it shouldn't be too long.