Birth Certificate ?

[My 2 Princesses Boat]

Okay, I am sure this has been discussed many many times. I did my research but still want other people's opinion especially those from the state of Illinois. My DH got his birth certificate a few weeks ago from the state of Illinois health dept. They don't issue BC with raised seals anymore since 1996 or '86. I read this on their website. they have 2 embossed seals one from the state and one from the health dept. in the bottom corners and you can feel it, it's different than the rest of the document, and they mentioned this on their website too. They said it is offical and legal for all legal documents and travel. I am tempted to print off their website stating this information just in case they do give us trouble boarding. What do you all think? I promise this is my last question today, LOL!

 

[MickeyB426]

That birth certificate will be fine. If it will make you feel better, bring that website printout anyway; can't hurt!

And ask all the question you want!

 

[DIS NURSE]

Yes, indeed...that BC should work.....but refer to the post "Birth Certificate VS. Passport....Here's the latest/greatest" below to give you the skinny on the risks you run without a passport...and once again....if you need a passport, THE FEDS ARE UPING THE PRICE SUBSTANTIALLY ON TUES, MARCH 8TH!!!!

 

[musicgirl]

Birth certificates do not all have the raised seals. You do not need a raised seal anyway.

For birth certificates it states: original, state certified birth certificate

My sister's bc from when my mom got it has a seal, and then she got a newer one, it does not. It simply says certified.

They just don't want copies. So if the old one is really tattered, you can not just make a copy.

 

[My 2 Princesses Boat]

Thank you all for your help with this. I feel better, and I did talk to someone in the state health dept about this too. DH actually ordered 2 of them, so we will put one in the suitcases just in case. My sister suggested that we make a copy of all of our BC's and put the copies in our suitcases just in case something does happen. She got this suggestion when they went to Mexico. I was going to get a passport, but I heard the rates are high and we don't plan on doing anymore out of country traveling anytime in the future.

 

[DisneyMom23Boys]

Hi!

I had to send for BC's for dh and 6yo ds. Dh's original didn't have the raised seal on his original and ds's got accidentally thrown away!! :O

The 2004 DCL PassPorter states "certified birth certificate with a raised seal or multiple colors".

Anyway, we paid $10 each and received them.

Ds's looked like his orignal, but dh's didn't have his parents' names listed on his birth certificate!!! I was sure that there was an error (his original had their names listed), figuring that the FBI is getting more stringent on these documents to prevent identity theft, etc.

I called our state office (PA) and they said that parents' names are no longer being included on reissued BC's for those born PRIOR TO 1972, unless REQUESTED??? This was new to me & my TA, but the woman I spoke to assured me that there would be no problem. I don't even recall any place on the BC application to request parents' names to be included. I did need to provide their names on the application, though. Just strange.

Have a super night!

Deb

 

[tbck1993]

That's really strange. We're from IL and our kids' BC's that came in the mail were embossed right in the middle - that was a couple years ago, though.

 

[tvguy]

A certified Birth Certificate has either a raised seal or is printed on special colored paper stock and says CERTIFIED on it.
A photocopy of either document is worthless, as is the uncertified copy Vitalcheck offers. Vitalcheck does offer to get certified copies, but in some states they charge extra. And in some states like California Vitalcheck requires you to send them a notarized form authorizing them to get the copy. In California, the only person who can legally get a copy of your birth certificate is you, your parent, your legal guardian, or someone with power of attorney.
Part of the post 9-11 security crackdown I assume.

 

[musicgirl]

I also take an extra bc (both certified) for each of us. I keep one with me and then I keep the other in another safe place.

 

[Skuba2]

It is still suggested and a smart idea to keep copies of birth certificates, passports and any credit cards for that matter in your safe in your room. This is as a precaution in case your stuff gets lost or stolen. They won't be used as id but I believe they can greatly speed up the replacement process when you are outside the US.

DG

 

[My 2 Princesses Boat]

That's really strange. We're from IL and our kids' BC's that came in the mail were embossed right in the middle - that was a couple years ago, though.

My youngest DD was born in Illinois too, and I noticed on hers it had the raised seal but it was from the county health dept. DH is from the state health Dept. The guy from the state that I talked to said that the ones issued from the state no longer has the raised seal, but the official seals in the corners, which feels different than the rest, and the document has mulit color threads on it, you can really see it on the back. He said not to worry this is the legal and official document too. So the the ones the state issued are different than the counties but both are legal.