Boarding with birth cert ?

[JessieB923]

Were using our birth certs this time around and I was curious for those who have gone this route how painful is this process, Do they just look at both documents (bc and Id) make sure you are who you say you are and let you move on or do they scan them ?

 

[Mokat76]

They just compare ID against birth cert. and you move on. If they scanned them they did it so quickly I didn't even notice it. It was easy.

 

[ktate82]

My last name is now different from my birth cert, how does that affect this?

 

[Mokat76]

My sister is married; her BC and DL names don't match. They didn't take any longer with hers than anyone else's in our party. No worries. They've dealt with it all.

 

[DisDivaSTL]

Sailed with just my BC and DL and it took no longer than my travel mate with her passport.

 

[bumbershoot]

My last name is now different from my birth cert, how does that affect this?

Why not bring your marriage certificate (or whatever legal document you have that shows the legal name change)?

I've never heard of someone be asked for it, but I sure do WISH they would ask for it! Such a weird thing, to be able to board with a totally different last name than you were born with, without being asked to prove why... If/when DH changes his last name to mine, I would bet quite a bit they'll want the name change documentation for him!

 

[ChristyBrown]

We cruised in October with our birth certificates. It went very quickly and smoothly. I brought a copy of our marriage certificate just in case, but I was never asked to show it.

 

[The Sasquatch]

We have gone multiple times with birth certs and no issues at all. Going or coming back. When you get back it's an actual customs agent and the process was painless.

 

[sbtrfly74]

We did this both cruises with 5 ppl and was quick and easy. It was actually more difficult getting through the security at the airport with our boarding passes and BC than through DCL. I just handed all 4 drivers licenses over with the BC and they just looked at DD10 to make sure she matched her age I guess.

 

[NCConch]

We just did our first cruise and I used copies of our BCs - and had the originals in the car in the port's parking deck just in case. The CM that checked us in called a supervisor over to double-check that the copies were okay and the supervisor said everything looks great.

 

[Robin"D"]

Were you using copies of the BC or certified copies with a notary ?

Thx

Robin & Angel "D"

 

[Jenntx]

Were you using copies of the BC or certified copies with a notary ?

Thx

Robin & Angel "D"

Do you need to have the BC copies notarized? DH & I will be using Passports, but it is a last minute cruise, we do not have to get our kids Passports. We are planning to use copies of their BCs. Thx.

 

[lanejudy]

Do you need to have the BC copies notarized? DH & I will be using Passports, but it is a last minute cruise, we do not have to get our kids Passports. We are planning to use copies of their BCs. Thx.

Actually, a notary can't "certify" a birth certificate...a notary certifies that you have provided identification and signed your own name based on that identification, there is no signature on the birth certificate (or not the person named on it).

A "certified" copy of a birth certificate is the "official" version you received from your state/county registrar; NOT a document from the hospital (that is unofficial). Nowadays I believe they send one out automatically a few weeks after the child is born, but if that was lost or it's for an older person one can be requested from the state of birth. It will have some "official" marking -- raised stamp, watermark, hologram or something.

There is debate as to whether xeroxed photocopies are allowed. Some people have apparently traveled with one, though most play it safe by having the official version. You wouldn't want to be delayed debarking by a fussy customs agent.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[pepe3penelope]

We've cruised 2 times w/DCL & both times were on a closed loop (round trip to & from Los Angeles & the other time round trip Port Canaveral). We used original birth certificates from the county's registrar & original copy of wedding certificate. Fast & no issues.