Lost Birth Certificate and freaking out

[crashbb]

if you're in the city in which you were born, you should be able to get a copy lickety-split.

You don't need it to cruise, but if you break a leg and can't get back on the ship, you'll need to prove citizenship to get back in the country.

For some people, just easier to have what you need than it is to have to go through all the crap.

Actually, you DO need it to cruise (or something similar). What you don't need (for a closed loop cruise) is a passport.

Here's the information:

U.S. citizens on closed-loop cruises (cruises that begin and end at the same port in the U.S.) will be able to enter or depart the country with proof of citizenship, such as a government-issued birth certificate and laminated government issued picture ID, denoting photo, name and date of birth. A U.S. citizen under the age of 16 will be able to present either an original, notarized or certified copy of his or her birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad issues by DOS, or Certificate of Naturalization issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

http://www.getyouhome.gov/html/lang_eng/eng_sa.html

 

[shortbun]

You have two days to keep looking for this document and I suggest you do that. You never know what delays bureaucracy can throw in your path. Make sure you have the Government issued birth certificate, not the one the hospital issues with foot prints. Imho, all U.S. citizens should have passports.
Even though the 'rules' say you don't need a passport for a looped cruise, if you run into any problems on non U.S. territory, you'll want a passport. AND-you need that birth certificate to apply for a passport, so find it. You do not have time to apply for a passport at this point. Yes, get two copies.

 

[mom2grace]

If you decide you want the pay for expedited PASSPORTS, you can schedule an appointment at the Philly passport office.

I know you aren't planning on passports, but it's never a bad idea to have one.

 

[snowy76]

This might sound random, but... did you guys get your marriage license yet? Your DF would've had to show his BC for that, right? ... maybe that's why it's not where he thought it would be. Could be with wedding paperwork you guys have around...?

Congrats BTW!

 

[sissy_ib]

This might sound random, but... did you guys get your marriage license yet? Your DF would've had to show his BC for that, right? ... maybe that's why it's not where he thought it would be. Could be with wedding paperwork you guys have around...?

Congrats BTW!

We didn't need BCs to get a marriage licence.
Not all states require them.

 

[badblackpug]

Make an appointment with the passport agency (on Chestnut) You can get a passport the same day. It will take a couple of hours, and the security is TSA-like.

 

[CathrynRose]

I'm in Ohio. I needed a copy of my birth certificate for my marriage license. I went to the records office, paid, and they handed me a certified copy in less than 20 minutes.

HTH

Yeah - I'm in Chicago and same thing.