Birth certificates for Passports

[dennise]

My son is going to apply for passports for his children, all under 15, the birth certificates that they have include both parents names and place of birth, are these OK or is there a diferent one that is required? I know the rules changed a few months ago, but they don't want to get new ones if these are OK.

 

[Toy Story Fan]

My son is going to apply for passports for his children, all under 15, the birth certificates that they have include both parents names and place of birth, are these OK or is there a diferent one that is required? I know the rules changed a few months ago, but they don't want to get new ones if these are OK.

These are the right birth certificates that they need. The rules changed in Dec 2011 for minor children. The parents who had the short style BC (no parents names) had to apply for the long version of the BC. I had both, so no worries for me. We were on a Disney Cruise when the new law came in.
Hope this helps!

 

[dennise]

Thanks, it does. Now another questions, do you have to show ID for both parents when you apply? My daughter in law was taking them into the office, she has a current passport for Id, does my sone have to send documentation as well?

 

[Toy Story Fan]

Thanks, it does. Now another questions, do you have to show ID for both parents when you apply? My daughter in law was taking them into the office, she has a current passport for Id, does my sone have to send documentation as well?

When I applied for all of our passports, I had my husband's id with me, because I was applying for his. I don't remember if they used his id for the minors passport or not. I know he had to sign the application. The comments below are from Passport Canada that I found.

PARENTAGE LINK BETWEEN THE CHILD AND THE PARENT(S)
You must provide one of the following acceptable proof of parentage documents demonstrating the relationship between the child and the parent(s):
a detailed birth certificate from Canada or a foreign country where the child was born, indicating the name of the parent(s); or
an order of adoption indicating the name of the adopting parent(s).

Both parents are requested to participate in obtaining passport services for their child and to sign the application form. The other parent may be contacted. Where a legal guardian is the applicant, the other legal guardian, as the case may be, is also requested to participate. Proof of legal guardianship is required

 

[dennise]

Thanks again, she will be applying for his as, so she will have his info with her.

 

[dennise]

The birth cert. doesn't have parents names on them. Will they reject them? Seems a waste and an expense to replace them, when they are accepted for other things.

 

[ginny_lynn]

the birth certificate for any minor children (15 and under) must have both barents names (long form). this was always the case for unmarried parents, and is now for ALL kids as of december.

 

[HunterBoo]

I need to renew our passports for the four of us. I dont' recall ever having a long form birth certificate. Was this something we were issued when they issued their card? Now - we are flying out of Cleveland, so we are actually driving across the border ... I believe that means that we do not need passports for children to go across correct? That may save me the hassle of getting their passport redone before we go in March! Nothing like leaving it to the last minute!!!! ahhh!!!

 

[Questforthemouse]

I need to renew our passports for the four of us. I dont' recall ever having a long form birth certificate. Was this something we were issued when they issued their card? Now - we are flying out of Cleveland, so we are actually driving across the border ... I believe that means that we do not need passports for children to go across correct? That may save me the hassle of getting their passport redone before we go in March! Nothing like leaving it to the last minute!!!! ahhh!!!

Here is the link to the Canadian Border Services Agency website...

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/whti-ivho/ls-tm-eng.html

 

[dennise]

According to that, the children need only their birth certificates, not passports to drive to the US. Hopefully this is correct.

 

[Questforthemouse]

According to that, the children need only their birth certificates, not passports to drive to the US. Hopefully this is correct.

Here's the link to the US Border Patrol site FAQ for travellers. Note the 1st paragraph under "Exceptions" under the question "What Documents Must You Present?" states the same as the Canadian site...

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/id_visa/legally_admitted_to_the_u_s.xml

 

[sjsjbrook]

The rules did change and you do need a long form birth certificate, which in Ontario is a certified copy of your birth registration. Which I have always gotten for my children. However now in the age of online registration forms, they no longer contain a signature and are simply a print out of the form you submit electronically. Not as fun to keep as it isn't in your own handwriting anymore.


As for driving across the boarder with minor children 15 and under, they do not need a passport, and you can use the birth certificate for ID. However if you have to fly home for an emergency you need a passport.

 

[Questforthemouse]

The rules did change and you do need a long form birth certificate, which in Ontario is a certified copy of your birth registration. Which I have always gotten for my children. However now in the age of online registration forms, they no longer contain a signature and are simply a print out of the form you submit electronically. Not as fun to keep as it isn't in your own handwriting anymore.


As for driving across the boarder with minor children 15 and under, they do not need a passport, and you can use the birth certificate for ID. However if you have to fly home for an emergency you need a passport.

Great point about emergency flight home. I always recommend a passport for everyone in the travel party.

 

[motherof4]

I just got the long forms for my 4 children in the mail, and they were a official copy of the original, in my handwriting! I didn't think that it would come that way either and my oldest is 15, so way cool, and I'm glad I had to get them!

 

[HunterBoo]

That is a good point about an emergency trip home. I sure hope that never has to happen, but you do never know!

Now how long does it take to get those long form birth certificates? We have passports for our kids that just expired, as did ours. We hadn't planned on going to Florida this year, but last minute my parents and I have decided to go down. I'd prefer passports, but if we only have birth certificates because I can't get long forms, then that will have to do this year!

Why do they change things like this? If kids previously had a passport, to me they should be able to renew just like us. So silly this whole thing!

 

[motherof4]

If your childs passports have expired less then 12 months, you do not need to use the long form, just short form birth certificates and expired passports. I let my kids expire more than 12 months, so I had to get the long form!

 

[HunterBoo]

If your childs passports have expired less then 12 months, you do not need to use the long form, just short form birth certificates and expired passports. I let my kids expire more than 12 months, so I had to get the long form!

Oh that is good news!! They just expired at the end of January, so we should be good! But don't you have to reapply to get new passports for kids? They don't just renew. I am goin to call my MPP's office tomorrow to find out what I need to do. I may have to go in person to a passport office to be sure I can get them back in time!

Thanks for the info!

 

[formill]

The passport site really explains it all perfectly. I would not be calling my MPP for such things?? http://www.ppt.gc.ca/cdn/ren.aspx Adults can do simplified renewal.

 

[HunterBoo]

The passport site really explains it all perfectly. I would not be calling my MPP for such things?? http://www.ppt.gc.ca/cdn/ren.aspx Adults can do simplified renewal.

I was going to call them as our local MPP takes passport applications down with him when he goes down to Ottawa and then he brings them back. That is why I was going to call them. In our little city, they deal with passports all the time!

We are now going to go down ourselves directly to an office and get the renewal done. Then I won't have to worry about it anymore!

 

[Tiger926]

I can't find anywhere on the website that children now need long form birth certificates for renewal passports.

As an English teacher, I read through everything! Even the child application says, "...strongly encourage..." and does not say it is mandatory.

Their website has not been updated since Nov 2010, so perhaps they are behind in updating?

Can anyone provide me the link where it states that children need a long form birth certificate?

We are just renewing, but I can't even find the info on any of the pages that discuss children's passports.

Thanks, Tiger