Child Flying Without a Passport

[SuAnne]

Hi,
We're going to WDW again in August and my passport has just expired. DD (11) was on my old passport and of course now she needs to have her own.

I don't know if I'll get her passport in time....ex-DH won't sign the passport application (jerk) and since she was born before we were married I need to get a "long form" copy of her birth certificate!! I'm hoping I have that in time to still get her passport processed. I sent in a copy of our airline tickets and they are "supposed" to process her birth certificate in ten days...then I can go back to the passport office. Arghhhh....

If I don't get it in time....I'm wondering if there will be a problem with her flying with just her birth certificate. I also have my court order which gives me sole custody, so that shouldn't be a problem.

Has anyone flown recently with just a birth certificate for their child?

Thanks!

 

[DisneyLisa]

When we flew to WDW in October, DD was on my passport for the trip down but turned 16 the day after we left. On the way home I had her BC & health card and there was no problem. My only comment to you was going to be to get a letter from your ex, but seeing as though you have sole custody, that shouldn't be a problem. Just be sure to bring some documentation.

I just went to the passport office last week here in Ottawa and was told that passports are going out within 5 days so you should get yours in time anyway (a friend came with me & was told the same thing by the clerk who served her...both of us were going to pay extra so we could pick them up and we were both told it wasn't worth it because they're being processed so fast right now...we were also told getting a passport in Jan - March takes the longest because they're so busy...something to keep in mind for the future). We don't really need our passports as we're driving and they've never asked for ID before but I want them for our cruise next March. If we get them before we leave on Thursday, great (I feel better having a passport) but if not, we'll have other ID and will at least we'll have them for our cruise next March.

Good luck.

 

[CrazeeGrammaG]

hi

You should have no problem with a Canadian Birth Certificate for your DD. Just make sure you have your custody papers with you in case Customs' asks.

We went to WDW last year with my DD and DGS and all she had was the custody papers and birth certificate of my DGS. The only other thing she had was a signed authorization to take him out of the Country. You may need this if your X has any type of claim to your child. She had to produce the authorization to leave the country at the border.

 

[DisneyLisa]

Oh & BTW...they also told me you are safer travelling to the US with an expired passport than with other ID so if I don't have my new passport, I'll be taking my old one with me anyway. You might want to do the same.

 

[cabmom]

I just wanted to pass this on:

I faxed my request for my long form birth certificate on October 28th. I just received it 2 weeks ago! It took almost 8 months to get it. How's that for service. I wasn't in a rush to get it, but that takes the cake.

Marilynn

 

[hockey mom]

We just flew from Buffalo a few months ago and none of us even own a passport. We also had DD's best friend and no one even asked to see the letter stating she could go with us. You won't have any problem with a BC.

 

[SuAnne]

Thanks everyone! I didn't think it would be a problem but in the past I've alway travelled with her on my passport so I just wanted to make sure just in case we don't get hers in time.

Yes.....cabmom my jaw nearly hit the floor when they told me the "average" wait for a bc was 6 months unless I could prove I was travelling sooner! Unbelievable....