just take passports - or birth certs too?

[waltdisneymama]

Hello,
I was just planning on taking passports for my family to Florida, but read somewhere that taking birth certificates as well is also a good idea. Just passports are good enough, aren't they, or have you taken birth certificates too?
Thank you!

 

[yxe dad]

I used to take both but stopped after the US customs officers just handed it back to me without looking at it. Although, I do take photocopies of my birth certificate, passport, and my AP's.

Shayne

 

[waltdisneymama]

So you also take a photocopy of birth certificates and passports with you when you travel? Maybe that's what I'll do! What is an AP?

 

[yxe dad]

AP is an Annual Pass, but I always take photocopies/pictures of the back of my tickets in case I lose them. One trip I went to go get fast passes for my family plus my mom, my aunt and my uncle. As I was walking there I calculated the value of the tickets in my hand at close to $2800, it's worth it to me to have some proof that I had/bought the tickets.
Shayne

 

[waltdisneymama]

Oh, that's a really good idea - I will take copies of my tickets too! Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[yxe dad]

The reason I take a photocopy of my passport is, because if it's ever lost or stolen I've heard it's easier to get one re-issued if you have the copy.

Shayne

 

[Mickey1Fan]

Only take passports with you. All your information is in it.

 

[calgarygary]

There is no need for a birth certificate but a photocopy of your passport is highly recommended should your passport be lost or stolen. Taking a b.c. only increases the chance of it being misplaced.

 

[drag n' fly]

My parents also have a copy of all our Passports, Drivers Licenses, Alberta Health Care, SIN, Travel Insurance and Birth Certificates and Custody Papers with them at all times too if we need to contact them from abroad. We only travel with Passports, Travel Insurance and bring the Custody Papers also if the kids are travelling with us.

 

[Northern Mouse]

I only ever take my passport and drivers licence. If you lose your passport and birth certificate or they get stolen it will be harder to get replacements. Even with the kids I only take the passport.

 

[SandraC]

Packing List

Passport
Money
Bathing Suit
Money
Knickers
Money
Tickets
....and money

 

[waltdisneymama]

Thank you very much, everyone!!

 

[Northstar]

WaltDisneyMama, I always carry a copy of my daughter's birth certificate in addition to her passport ever since I was grilled at customs about whether I was really her mom. Well, that was back before she could say, "Hey, darn straight she's my mom," but the message sank in... passport does not have parents' names in it, thus does not prove you're a legit parent to your own offspring. The long form birth certificate has both parents' names in it and so links her to us.

Call me paranoid, but I sure don't want those folks at the border to mess with my family!

 

[SaraMc]

I would just take your passport. Its all you need. You have to use your birth cert to get one. They shouldnt give you a hassle, they prefer us all using passports anyways.