New Birth Certificate Requirements Question

[kstategrad]

So, now that the rules have been amended regarding using a birth certificate as the primary form of citizenship documentation, I have a couple of questions:

1. My husband's birth certificate only has his parents first name, middle initial, and last name (no middle names). The MO department of vital statistics says that they cannot issue a new birth certificate to add the middle names, unless the parents originally gave their middle names when they had him back in the 70s. So...when he goes to get his passport, is the birth certificate with just middle initials going to be okay, or should he try to get a new birth certificate with the parents' middle names? I have looked and looked, but I cannot find any information on what the US State Dept. considers a 'full name.' Does it mean just first and last, or is middle a necessity now?

2. My nephew, who will be traveling with us, was also born in MO. His BC also only has the parents' first name, middle initial and last name. My sister is refusing to pay for him to get a passport or even a passport card, b/c 'this is going to be nephew's last trip,' and she doesn't want the expense. PLEASE don't turn this thread into a debate of passport vs. BC...I just want to know what to do if she cannot get a new birth certificate for him that has both parents' middle names on it??

3. Both of my kids and I have a passport card. I'm assuming this will still be valid for travel this October, since they don't expire until 2013. Does anyone know if any rules for passport cards has changed, or will they still suffice as our primary citizenship document (not planning on bringing bc's this time, but wanted to be sure that the card was still okay).

Sorry for the length of the post--just wondering and hoping you could provide some clarity!

 

[stargazertechie]

When did WHTI compliance change? I've been googling trying to find the change you're speaking of.

 

[kstategrad]

http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_5401.html



Beginning April 1, 2011, the U.S. Department of State will require the full names of the applicant’s parent(s) to be listed on all certified birth certificates to be considered as primary evidence of U.S. citizenship for all passport applicants, regardless of age. Certified birth certificates missing this information will not be acceptable as evidence of citizenship. This will not affect applications already in-process that have been submitted or accepted before the effective date.

the line about "full names" is what's confusing me. Are they saying that this only applies to us if we're applying for a new passport, or will DCL require that the birth certificates also have the 'full name,' in order to use them as evidence of citizenship?

Maybe I'm just confused!

 

[karensi]

2. My nephew, who will be traveling with us, was also born in MO. His BC also only has the parents' first name, middle initial and last name. My sister is refusing to pay for him to get a passport or even a passport card, b/c 'this is going to be nephew's last trip,' and she doesn't want the expense. PLEASE don't turn this thread into a debate of passport vs. BC...I just want to know what to do if she cannot get a new birth certificate for him that has both parents' middle names on it??

http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_5401.html



the line about "full names" is what's confusing me. Are they saying that this only applies to us if we're applying for a new passport, or will DCL require that the birth certificates also have the 'full name,' in order to use them as evidence of citizenship?

Maybe I'm just confused!

Same question. DD ,son in law and 3 DGS also do not have (and dont want to spend the money for) passports. Sooo, once again, will DCL require BCs to have full name if that is what they are using at the port for ID?

Thanks,

Karen

 

[grafxgirl]

I can't imagine only having middle initials or just first and last names only would be a problem. What do they do for people that don't have middle names? My father was not given a middle name when he was born. Legally he only has a first and last name.

 

[goofysgirl]

After reading thru the requirements...it states you need this type of birth certificate while applying for a passport. We have used BC in the past and I did not read anywhere that states Disney will require something additional other than the state certified BC.

 

[Minniemiss]

Same question. DD ,son in law and 3 DGS also do not have (and dont want to spend the money for) passports. Sooo, once again, will DCL require BCs to have full name if that is what they are using at the port for ID?

Thanks,

Karen

It isn't DCL that sets the requirements, it is the state dept that sets the requirement for proof of citizenship. DCL will have to abide by what ever they decide.

 

[lbgraves]

After reading thru the requirements...it states you need this type of birth certificate while applying for a passport. We have used BC in the past and I did not read anywhere that states Disney will require something additional other than the state certified BC.

I also have looked and do not see anything that says this requirement is for anything other than applying for a passport.

 

[goofysgirl]

I know Disney does not set requirements for documentation for passports, but if you read what is posted...it states that this requirement is for application for passports.
Call DCL to confirm, but I believe that you are ok to sail with state certified BC.

 

[lmhall2000]

It isn't DCL that sets the requirements, it is the state dept that sets the requirement for proof of citizenship. DCL will have to abide by what ever they decide.

The problem here is that it states on the passport page that if you can NOT meet the primary birth certificate rule, then you can present a slew of secondary birth certificate alternatives....I really doubt the ship would go to that extreme...I do not believe the ship will change its policy, as long as it is a birth certificate with a seal, I believe they will honor it....this new policy is specifically for 'new' and first time passport applicants....

Tara

 

[kstategrad]

Thanks. I am just concerned that since the US State Dept requirements for bc's has changed, that the cruiselines might use the same requirements.

 

[kcashner]

It says that these are the rules for applying for a passport--not for anything else! Until and unless the State Department changes the rules for closed loop cruises, don't sweat it.

Your passport cards are a valid proof of citizenship, but will not allow you to fly into the country if that would be necessary. Yes, they will work for travel on a closed loop cruise.

As to the people who don't want to spring for the passport for the family member--that's their choice. Based on current regulations, the certified birth certificate is fine (even with middle initial.) Of course, the rules could change tomorrow.

 

[HappyontheLake]

I am glad I gave my sister the money to get a passport book in February (and it only took two weeks). Our father's first name is a single initial along with his middle name. And to top it off the last name on her birth certificate is spelled wrong (fixed a year later but my parents never got a new birth certificate).

She had no problem getting a passport once all the documents were in order. Today it probably would have been really difficult.

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

I'm not sure what the definition of full name is in regards to the US State Dept. as I live in Canada, but generally when asked for full name up here it is usually only First and last. Middle name are marked as being optional or even just the initial is acceptable.

 

[ksloane]

I'd be interested in knowing how this works out when a few people do apply for passports.

My daughter's father does not have a middle name so this could impact us.

I'll have to go back and look at mine, but I think that my parent's first, middle, and last names are on mine (but I already have a passport so I guess it doesn't matter).

 

[wdwfamilyinIL]

Since I am paranoid, I just want to make sure I am thinking correctly: We have passports for all 5 of us, so that is all I need for the cruise...right? Do I need to make sure our birth certificates are "Proper" now and bring them also?

 

[Ariel224]

I'm totally speculating here, so I may be totally off base, but I think what the new requirement is addressing is that in some areas parents are automatically issued a "short form" or "abstract" certificate that does not include information about the parents. The "long form", which is harder to obtain, is the complete copy of the actual document on file with vital statistics, will list the names and other information about the parents. I think there was a post awhile back (might have been on another cruise board) from a mother experiencing difficulty with the short form birth certificate. If the TYPE of certificate is the real issue here, then I doubt the presence or absence of the parent's middle name will matter. Just my thoughts....

 

[kstategrad]

I hope you are right! I'd really like to hear from future cruisers who are just using birth certificates (after April 1), to see what their experiences were. I am just hoping that what they already have (birth certificates without parents' middle names) will suffice, although eventually we all will get an actual passport so we don't have to worry about this stuff anymore!

 

[Kailua's Belle]

I'm totally speculating here, so I may be totally off base, but I think what the new requirement is addressing is that in some areas parents are automatically issued a "short form" or "abstract" certificate that does not include information about the parents. The "long form", which is harder to obtain, is the complete copy of the actual document on file with vital statistics, will list the names and other information about the parents. I think there was a post awhile back (might have been on another cruise board) from a mother experiencing difficulty with the short form birth certificate. If the TYPE of certificate is the real issue here, then I doubt the presence or absence of the parent's middle name will matter. Just my thoughts....

That was me! Yes, my daughter's passport didn't get processed because we had the California short form. I since received the long form and used that on the cruise. We are now going to send that to get the passport. I asked at the dock if the short form would have been accepted and they didn't know for sure. I didn't get the short form back for the passport agency, so I don't know what the differences are. Since not everyone has a middle name, I wouldn't worry about a birth certificate that doesn't list middle names. How are you supposed to get something like that amended? I don't think you can.

 

[chris31997]

Since I am paranoid, I just want to make sure I am thinking correctly: We have passports for all 5 of us, so that is all I need for the cruise...right? Do I need to make sure our birth certificates are "Proper" now and bring them also?

All you need is the passports, providing they do not expire. I would leave the b/c home.