Birth Certificates only-help!

[tekel89]

After reading a number of posts it seems like the majority of people have or are getting passports. My family and I do not have passports, nor was I planning on getting them. I have all our original BC's and photo ID's for myself and DH. But now I'm worried. You don't have to have Passports - right?

 

[ZebraStripes]

tekel89 - my family has never had passports on our Disney Cruises. We have always used raised seal birth certificates and never had a problem. You will be fine with just those on a Disney cruise.

 

[Phyllisi]

My spouse and I have passports since we used to vacation in Europe and Asia frequently before we had our daughter. We do not plan on taking her to Europe or Asia until she is 12. I have been on 3 DLC cruises with our daughter and have just brought her birth certificate and we have never had any problems with her birth certificate at immigration. All our DLC cruises occurred after 9/11. In fact I talked to the immigration personnel about this while they were on board the Magic in St. Thomas in Feb. They told me it is not mandatory to have a passport to travel to the Caribbean. We will get our daughter a passport when one is required for travel. I have observed a lot of families with fresh passports they obtained just for a cruise. My opinion is why get one until you really need one. I know a lot of people disagree with me on this matter. BTW, we found out the hard way not to shred your passport when it expires. You need to hold onto it and surrender it when you file the paperwork for a new passport.

 

[gottaluvdis]

I agree, you'll be fine with original birth certificates. I've traveled to the Bahamas before without a passport and never had any problems. My husband and I already had valid passports, so I opted to get one for my daughter for a couple of reasons. I'm actually more paranoid carrying around her original birth certificate than I am a passport, I wanted all of us to have the same form of ID (easier to locate, carry around etc.), and it's fun having several passports over the years to look back on. She's 7, so it will be fun when we re-new hers at age 12 to see how she's changed and grown, what her signature looks like etc. I have a couple of old passports for myself and my husband when we were young and they're fun to look back at. I guess it's a personal preference.

 

[Jillpie]

I'm confused. This will be our first cruise next April. Why are people spending 70.00 for a passport when a birth cert. is free and is all that is required?

 

[tommysmom]

Personally, I feel better with a passport than handling my original birth certificate. If the passport is lost, calling the state dept or local american consulate to replace it is alot easier than replacing your original birth certificate (Just my opinion mind you)

I guess its all a matter of preference....

 

[Rence]

The times they are a changing and with the world getting more and more security conscious you will see more and more cases where passports are required.

If you forsee yourself traveling outside the country in the future getting a passport is a good idea. If DCL is a one-shot deal for you, its probably not necessary.

If there is anything unusual about your birth certificate then get a passport so that all the issues are dealt with up front.

Examples:

You were born a US citizen to US parents but out of the country.

Your birth certificate is very worn and cannot be easily replaced.

There is a significant difference between the name on your birth certificate and the name on your identification. Such as you've had your name legally changed etc.


Basically if you have any concerns at all that your birth certificate may be questioned for any reason, I would recommend getting a passport.

If your birth certificate has the proper seals, is readable, is from within the US and the name matches (married name being the exception) than its not needed.

 

[ksouma]

I agree Rence..... My son was born in Germany and all he has is his German birth certificate and ONE original copy of his Report of US birth abroad. If I were to loose it I am sure it could be replaced but it would probably take forever. For that reason I am way to paranoid about taking his only original copy of the Report of US birth abroad and we will be getting Passports next week.

 

[gottaluvdis]

Originally posted by tommysmom
Personally, I feel better with a passport than handling my original birth certificate. If the passport is lost, calling the state dept or local american consulate to replace it is alot easier than replacing your original birth certificate (Just my opinion mind you)

I guess its all a matter of preference....

Exactly - couldn't have said it better myself.

 

[Stepharoonie!]

I used my birth certificate. It was fine, they barely looked at it

 

[Jillpie]

ok, those are great explanations why passports are needed. My birth cert. will have my maiden name on it. How is this dealt with when they see a different name on my license (married name)?

 

[ZebraStripes]

Jillpie, I've never been questioned. I do bring a copy of my marriage license just in case though.

 

[Disneyland_emily]

For me- Ive always had issues with my BC- (Didnt have one issued till I was 5) Plus Ive changed my name and got married so instead of having to lug a few papers around I got the Passport which in my case is pretty idiot proof

I just dont want to risk getting there and not being allowed on for some reason cause they dont understand my paperwork (had issues all my life with it) so for me the 80 bucks was worth it -em

 

[Zandy595]

I agree with Phyllisi, why pay for passports unless you REALLY need them.

 

[hydster]

We have passports for all 5 of us but ONLY because we were in DL on 9-11 and when the orange county airport re-opened up for flights it was a HASSLE to use birth certificates. I know they were MUCH more conscientious then but from that day forward we decided that the world had changed and we wanted to make darn sure we changed with it and we could prove we belonged here. When we go ANYWHERE I bring the passports for checkin at the airport and at the cruiseline terminal and then for the rest of the trip the passports go into the safe and the credit card size birth certificates come out. I am PARANOID about losing one form so I keep both forms for each of us. If we happen to lose one of the birth certificates we could use the remaining birth certificates, get on board and grab passports if needed. Hubby and I always both carry birth certificates for all of us just because of this reason. Now I realize that I am a little "odd" for this but after losing my passport in Japan when I was 19 and having to hassle over getting a new one, waiting for the state dept and all the other things I bring a TON of stuff with me...just like the Boy Scouts!

If you don't already have them and this is something that you don't plan to do often (travel or travel outside the states) then I wouldn't go to the trouble of getting a passport *yet*. For us it was before the rates went up and we had just gone through 9-11 with only birth certificates and the process it took to get screened and decided it was worth it. We go to Calif frequently and cruise out of Los Angeles area at least 2-3 times a year not to mention trips to Cancun and DCL trips so for us it was worth it.

Heidi

 

[DisneyCowgirl]

My drivers license has my married name and my birth certificate has my maiden name (obviously). I asked when I called to make my final payment and they told me I would need my marriage license as well as the drivers license and birth certificate.

 

[hydster]

they told me I would need my marriage license as well as the drivers license and birth certificate.

I know why they do this but does anyone else find it just so insane to have to bring that documentation when almost all women change their maiden name to their married name?? I know all the reasons and all and it's for safety blah blah blah but I still find it odd and kind of a waste of time and energy(which is another reason we got passports).

Before 9-11 it wasnt even an issue (or one that I can recall) but now it seems everyone has to justify everything even stuff that is typical in a normal American citizen's every day life.


Heidi



* getting ready for someone to explain why I'm lame for thinking this way *

 

[TnRobin]

I have been on two cruises since 9/11. My birth certificate with my maiden name and my drivers license with my married name have never been given a second look. I have yet to take or be asked for my marriage certificate. Remember that both the birth certificate and photo id will exhibit the same birthday, same first name and same middle name (or in some states your maiden name). I think this is what they check.

 

[crisi]

Originally posted by Rence
The times they are a changing and with the world getting more and more security conscious you will see more and more cases where passports are required.

If you forsee yourself traveling outside the country in the future getting a passport is a good idea. If DCL is a one-shot deal for you, its probably not necessary.

If there is anything unusual about your birth certificate then get a passport so that all the issues are dealt with up front.

Examples:

You were born a US citizen to US parents but out of the country.

Your birth certificate is very worn and cannot be easily replaced.

There is a significant difference between the name on your birth certificate and the name on your identification. Such as you've had your name legally changed etc.


Basically if you have any concerns at all that your birth certificate may be questioned for any reason, I would recommend getting a passport.

If your birth certificate has the proper seals, is readable, is from within the US and the name matches (married name being the exception) than its not needed.

I'll add a few....

You may be profiled due to race or name (passports are easier to travel on)

Your birth certificate is not proof of US citizenship (foreign adoptees, naturalized citizens)

You want a passport cause its cool (they really are very cool - hey, why be judgemental over what other people spend their money on - I think passports are WAY cooler than pins or tshirts).

My son is a foreign adoptee. His birth certificate has "NOT PROOF OF US CITIZENSHIP" stamped across it. My husband was born overseas, so he has a US State Department Record of Birth (my brother in law had to have his replaced - only took a year!). I've traveled outside the US on business (and could do so on short notice) and mine was expired. The only way we'd need passports more is if our last name was Hussein!

 

[MrsPete]

I agree with the "stick to the birth certificates" folks. An official copy of your birth certificate (if you don't have one laying around the house) costs $3. For the cost of a passprt, you could have more than 25 birth certificates!