Birth certificates??

[jrabbit]

Go to this site. Print off the application. ...

To expediate the process once at a "passport processing center" (ie. post office).

**DO NOT SIGN the form until the person taking the application tells you to sign it (they need to witness you signature).
**They will also make you "raise your right hand and swear that you are US citizens).
**As a final note, you will need two checks - one that goes with the passport to the government and one that the "processing center (ie. post office)" gets for passing along the passport application to the govenment
**OK so this one is really the last point - If you make your own passport pictures, be sure to follow the instructions exactly (size of photo, size of your face and color of the background)

 

[momsgoofy]

It's so ironic that I read this post today...I just inquired about passports for my family yesterday. After so many posts here about how passports make life so much easier on the cruise I decided it'd be best.

My DS is from my previous marriage and I have SOLE custody. After reading some of the posts here stating BOTH parents of a minor child must be present when applying for that child's passport freaked me out a bit...the ex lives in California.

When I checked with the Passports Services representative at our post office I was told the ex would have to sign a permission slip for me to get the passport. Yeah, right...he's not had a say in my DS's life for over 10 years and now he can deny my son this...for a vacation DS has been looking forward to since January?
So when I explained I have SOLE custody I was told I just need to send a certified copy of my decree showing that I do. I just checked on the website mentioned here previously and it states this also.
By the way...thanks for posting the site address...it saved me a trip to pick up the forms. Also, if applying at the post office part of the fees are payable to the post office and part to the passport services. The web site explains everything so nicely!

On a note about the certified birth certificates....one of the clerks at our courthouse told me carrying it around in the ports is not a wise move...if anyone gets a hold of it...they have access to your name legally and can steal your identity toot sweet ...not a pleasant thought if you ask me.

That really sealed my thoughts...we are getting passports.

And for those who need photos for passports...AAA plus members can get them for no charge...just check with your local office.

Laura ºoº

 

[FredS]

Originally posted by momsgoofy
....On a note about the certified birth certificates....one of the clerks at our courthouse told me carrying it around in the ports is not a wise move...if anyone gets a hold of it...they have access to your name legally and can steal your identity toot sweet ...not a pleasant thought if you ask me.

That really sealed my thoughts...we are getting passports....

Laura ºoº

That was one of the reasons why we DON'T take our passports on the cruise and why I think people who don't anticipate a true need in the near future to go through the expense and hassle to get one. I feel that birth certificates are less risky to carry and meet all of the requirements for identification on DCL's cruises, and that is why, even though we have passports they will stay safely locked up at home. If you don't have to have them, why risk them being lost or stolen?

 

[tvguy]

Freds. I'm confused, you made the perfect argument FOR getting passports. They have a picture on them, and if lost or stolen, are USELESS to anyone. A lost or stolen birth certificate could easily be used for identify theft since there is no picture associated with it.
Like I have said before, as a Little League President, a passport is soooo much easier to verify. There are so many different birth certificates out there, it is a lot harder to determine if a birth certificate is legit or not. A passport is a document showing who you are, and that your information has been verified.
If it's lost, it's often easier to replace.

 

[FredS]

A passport that has been stolen is far from useless from someone who would steal it. And replacing it is just not a simple matter! Schlepping around any documents like this unnecessarily just seems silly. It is overkill which has the potential for more serious consequences.

I don't understand why anyone would take their passport on a cruise where it is not required, nor would take it for simple things like registering their young child for sports. While there are always exceptions to any general rule, I think that keeping it simple is usually the best route.