Mail out Birth Certificates for passports

[hAm53]

a co-worker just went over to the USPS to mail out her passport for an upcoming trip (non-disney ), and the usps mailed out her birth certificate with the application. not a copy, the actual birth certificate.
is this normal? i was leaning towards getting a passport for our upcoming cruise, but now i'm debating. i think i'll have less of a chance losing my birth certificate than the USPS and the federal government. too many chances for it to fall on the floor somewhere and get lost forever.

 

[CDSTapisRouge]

Yes that is normal. They have to have the original in order to issue the passport. I look at it this way they do this all the time, there are a lot of people that have passports and this is the procedure. I am sure that they "do" lose one here or there, but to not get one in fear that they will misplace it is silly. Just my opinion. I not only had to send my original birth certificate in to get the passport, when I got married I had to send my passport and marriage license in to get the name changed.

 

[dbond]

Yep, that's normal. When we got a passport last year for DS, I had procrastinated and finally went in about 6 wks before our trip, thinking that would be plenty of time but if something happened to the passport I still had the BC. Imagine my surprise when they told me they had to keep the original with the application. Now I was nervous, my procrastination had left me sweating it out for a few weeks hoping that thing would arrive when they said it would, otherwise I would have been on the phone with the County trying to get another BC.

 

[ClarabelleCow]

I went to town hall and received two for each kid, that way I could mail one and keep one, just in case!!! No problems! In this day, a passport is the best and safest way to go.

 

[KAR3600]

I just went to my local Post Office on Sat. and applied for my passport, they did take my original birth Certificate, and wrote down information from my Drivers Lic. along with a check for 55.00 for to The US Dept. of State and 45.00 for the Post Office (15.00 was for the pictures which they took), they said I could receive the passport in 4-6 weeks........

 

[Lorij]

Yes, they do take your original birth certificate and send it in along with the application. It comes back with your passport in just a few weeks.

 

[Squeakcat]

You never send your "original birth certificate" because you don't have it. It resides in the vital records archives of the state in which you were born. Anything you have at home is a copy. There are various types of copies; certified, non-certified, authenticated, and so on, but they are all copies. You can always get more copies, as long as you have identification and a few dollars. Some hospitals give out a copy in a fancy decorated folder, but it's not what any vital records archivist would recognize as an original certificate. It's my belief that everyone should keep a few certified copies on hand in a secure location, such as a safe deposit box in a local bank. But, don't turn over a certified copy of a birth certificate to anyone whom you don't trust, as it obviously can be used for illegal purposes.

 

[ClarabelleCow]

"It's my belief that everyone should keep a few certified copies on hand in a secure location, such as a safe deposit box in a local babies."

When I leave I will stick mine in the local baby !!! Sorry, I couldn't resist!! Yes at the bank, we have a safe at home, one of those big gun safes (well mom and dad do), and if its real important I send it there, or we have a large one under a desk, it would take several people to move it, and I keep alot of stuff there.

 

[robandpam]

What is the need for a Passport (sounds pretty expensive)? I thought all you need is the Birth Certificate when you arrive?

 

[glindamood]

I travel quite a bit for my work so I opted for a passport. After cruising the first time with my bc, I was afraid I would either loose or tear my certificate (it is getting old and delicate unlike me which is getting old and tuff). I also got one for my youngest so we all have them. We cruise frequently so it just sounded like the logical thing to do.

 

[mickeyfan1]

What is the need for a Passport (sounds pretty expensive)? I thought all you need is the Birth Certificate when you arrive?

If you don't have a passport, you will need a certified copy of your birth certificate for EVERY member of your party and photo ID for those guests over 21 (I think). If you are married, some people will advise you to also have your marraige license with you. You will show it at check in. For right now, the countries which DCL sails to do not require passpeorts for US citizens on the ship. If you were to travel via air to many of the same countries, you would need a passport for entering the foriegn country and reentering the US. A passport makes for easier passage through customs, through airport security,etc. I like mine because if I lose it, I can get it replaced easily and no one can pretend to be me. If I have to carry my BC and ML, I could misplace them with all the other papers that I amass on the ship and toss them in error.

 

[BethA]

Help----my husband just insisted last week we get passports--I did not realize that they would keep the birth certificate with the raised seal--today I realized my son needs it to get his driver's license permit on Thursday---where do I go for another with the seal? I feel like an idiot!!
Beth

 

[KAR3600]

Call the Town/City Hall wher child was born, they should be able to get you another copy w/seal. Their is also a web site www.vitalckek.com where you can order them...hope this helps

 

[BethA]

thanks!!

 

[DISJen]

We went as a family to get our passports. They sent the app. in for the kids and I, but they wouldn't send my husband's in because they said his birth certificate wasn't the "official" copy. He has always used this one for any and everything in his life until now. It turns out it is the hospital version, with a raised seal and everything, but they wanted the one from the county. We were shocked. We never knew there was a difference!

Anyway, surprisingly, the kids and I got our Passports within two weeks, (that was fast!). We sent off for my husband's official bc, but ordered two copies in case something happens and/or he can't get his passport in time for our cruise.

 

[tvguy]

Careful with Vitalcheck, many on this forum have complained that while they did get an authenitic copy of their birth certificate from them, it was not a certified copy. Some communities only issue certified copies to those who apply in person. Don't understand why they even issue uncertified copies since they are worthless.

As for the Driver's license, in our state, you have to get a learners permit first, and have it for 6 months before you can get a license. You must have the birth certificate to get the permit, so when you go to get the license, they already have your birth date on file. Maybe it's the same for you?

Best thing my wife did when our children were born was to order 2 copies of their birth certificate on the spot.
As for passports, everyone should have one. My kids have had theirs since age 2. Once their date of birth is on file with the State Department, you'll never need to send in the birth certificate again as long as you don't let the Passport expire. My birth certificate hasn't been out of the safe deposit box since I got my learners permit when I was 15. I don't suspect I will need again until I turn 65 and apply for Medicare and Social Security.