No ID for kids, options? UPDATE (see last post)

[Lesley]

So we're gathering our info for our trip- we leave Tuesday. I notice on our GAD vouchers that we need the kids' birth certificates. So, we go to the file where we keep them and guess what? No birth certificates. I can't even remember what we'd have ever done with them that they wouldn't be in that file- I can't even remember needing them for anything, ever- though obviously if they're not in the file they were taken out at some point. I've checked everywhere they might be (the entire file cabinet, my old desk, etc...), no luck. I could probably search more, but I don't really know where to look and I have a trip to get ready for! I've looked into ordering new copies- it would take too long.

Now, our kids are definitely over 6 (well, our youngest is 6, but did not participate because she was too young at the time- we've already purchased a multi-day ticket for her). We do have their SS cards, but no birth dates. Seriously, they're kids- we don't have ID for them. Is there any chance at all we'll be able to work this out? Is it a "maybe we'll get lucky" situation? Can anyone give us some hope here?

 

[catne]

So we're gathering our info for our trip- we leave Tuesday. I notice on our GAD vouchers that we need the kids' birth certificates. So, we go to the file where we keep them and guess what? No birth certificates. I can't even remember what we'd have ever done with them that they wouldn't be in that file- I can't even remember needing them for anything, ever- though obviously if they're not in the file they were taken out at some point. I've checked everywhere they might be (the entire file cabinet, my old desk, etc...), no luck. I could probably search more, but I don't really know where to look and I have a trip to get ready for! I've looked into ordering new copies- it would take too long.

Now, our kids are definitely over 6 (well, our youngest is 6, but did not participate because she was too young at the time- we've already purchased a multi-day ticket for her). We do have their SS cards, but no birth dates. Seriously, they're kids- we don't have ID for them. Is there any chance at all we'll be able to work this out? Is it a "maybe we'll get lucky" situation? Can anyone give us some hope here?

Well, that's a bummer not having the Birth certs. where you thought they were. Would your school have them, maybe? I know some school districts require birth certificates - maybe you could "borrow" them back from the office for the trip? Or have your kids played on organized sports leagues? When our DD was in grade school, one of the leagues she played in required a real birth certificate at tournament time (guess they wanted to be sure there were no "ringers" in there. In a little kids' softball league out in the middle of nowhere, lol.) Anyway, I know we had to give the birth cert to coach, and it took him a while to get them back to everyone after the season was over when people didn't pick them up from him at end of the tourney.

 

[Lesley]

Thanks. The kids are homeschooled and as far as I remember I've never been asked for a B/C by anyone.... I'm really puzzled by this one. As far as I recall I've never had a reason to move them or use them. When the kids did sports we never needed them. I'd just order new ones if we had the time- but I just fully expected, back when I printed our vouchers, that the certificates would be where they are supposed to be.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

The rules are pretty specific for the GAD redemption, but that won't mean you won't get a CM who offers a little pixie dust. I don't know that I would count on it, though, so be prepared to buy tickets for your kids outright instead of upgrading the GAD voucher.

Were your kids born in SC? If so, can you go to Vital Records downtown and pick up a copy of the BCs? Vital Records is in downtown Columbia. It doesn't even need to be an official copy - a photocopy is fine. The PPs suggestion about trying to get a copy from a sports league (or school, but not in your case) was a good one, too.

Do you have anything official that shows your children's birth dates? Do they have passports? Maybe you will get some pixie dust if you have appropriate ID for the adults and can show something with name and address for your kids, but it's just as likely that they will not redeem the vouchers without proper ID.

If you can't find the BCs, I'd bring anything official you have (SS cards, etc), hope for the best, but be prepared for the vouchers to be denied. I'm sure Disney would try to work with you, but I don't know how much leeway the CMs have.

 

[NaLisa]

Banks often require birth certs. for opening kids' savings accounts. I recall my mom asked me for my children's BCs to open an account for them, then we both forgot about the BCs for several months. When it was time to register DD for kindergarten, I couldn't find her BC. Thankfully, I checked with Grandma and sure enough she had the BC.

Just thought that's one more place you might look.

And BTW, hello from another Columbia, SC Disney lover!

 

[NaLisa]

One other thought--maybe your pediatrician has a copy of the birth cert. or could give you some some sort of official document showing the kids' birthdates.

 

[MissJanice]

I've also heard of desperate people getting copies from the hospital that their children were born at.

 

[jessica29]

I live in lucas county ohio and we have a place you can go to get birth certificates. It's like 20.00 and you get them right then and there takes a 1/2 hour. I would call the local government birth certificate office. They certainly did require you have it when I went...

 

[Lesley]

My kids were born in PA, or I could just run downtown today and get copies- the one child I don't need the certificate for was born here. I do have their social security cards, which is about the only "official" document I can find for them at the moment. The hospital my son was born at is in PA, and my daughter was born at home (in PA). Our homeschool accountability association cards don't even list the kids' names. They did have savings accounts before we moved to SC, but those were closed out when we moved (7 years ago) and we didn't open new ones.

Thanks for all the ideas, folks. Were we supposed to have ID for everyone when we did the volunteer work? I know I didn't need to show anything at our site, but maybe we were supposed to? Which means I would have had them in February...

We've pretty much decided to bring the social security cards, call on St. Anthony for help until we leave (at this point there's so much to do that there's little time left to look- I'm asking that they somehow place themselves in my path today), and hope for the best.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Thanks for all the ideas, folks. Were we supposed to have ID for everyone when we did the volunteer work? I know I didn't need to show anything at our site, but maybe we were supposed to? Which means I would have had them in February...

You did not need ID to volunteer or to register, just to redeem the voucher. Hope you can find them today before your trip. If not, just bring what you have and hope for some pixie dust. Maybe you will get lucky if you have appropriate ID for the adults - I don't know if the CMs have the latitude to do that, so just be pleasantly surprised if it works out.

 

[Pumpkin_King]

I was in a similar situation. I needed one for school registration. I was able to get it at vitalchek [dot] com. I got it back in 3 days.

 

[churchpilot]

One of the couples we went with this past April forgot her 10 year old's birth certificate and the CM doing the GADs at Epcot was so sympathetic, but she said she could not activate the GADs. We were able to add both her daughters to ours and another couple traveling with us added the mom, so they were covered. Now she is willing to add us to her GAD in November! We were traveling during Spring Break and another CM remarked that they were being very vigilant about the GAD usages, so maybe at a slower time (like now), they will be a little more lenient. Pixie Dust to you!

 

[ccgirl]

I know when I brought my DD they were very vigilant about checking for birth certificates. Since SS cards don't list a birthdate they won't accept that. Not only that, I would never give out my children's SS numbers. Perhaps PA could fax you their birth certificates? I would call the town hall where they were born and see what options they have. It might cost extra but maybe they will do it. A lot of places use email to fax too.

Good luck.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I've also heard of desperate people getting copies from the hospital that their children were born at.

Hospitals do not issue or store birth certificates.

 

[kmermaid]

We had a similar situation that when we went in July. The family that went with us had the BC for 2 of the three kids. They had to call a supervisor over and she quizzed the 15yr on what she did for the voucher. Now I'm not sure if they would do that for all three if she could not come up with the other BC. The supervisor (this was at DHS) was very nice. My advice would get there early before the park opens and explain to the supervisor and hopefully it will work out.

 

[cltk78]

I was in a similar situation. I needed one for school registration. I was able to get it at vitalchek [dot] com. I got it back in 3 days.

I recommend using vitalchek also to get their birth certificates. I've used them twice - once to get my birth certificate so that I could apply my passport and once to get DS's birth certificate.

 

[DMLewis75]

What's a GAD?
I also used Vitalchek and it worked out well...of course it cost some money, but if you really need it, that's the way to go.

 

[MomofSixinSC]

What's a GAD?
I also used Vitalchek and it worked out well...of course it cost some money, but if you really need it, that's the way to go.

GAD is an abbreviation on this board for the Disney Give A Day, Get A Day Program. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Give_a_Day,_Get_a_Disney_Day

 

[n2mm]

OP, good luck and post back. Everything I've read has been that the CMs won't process without a copy of the BC. I thought they were actually being pretty good this time and accepting a "copy" of the BC and not the real one. We have our stuff in order, so shouldn't have any issues. I would try to get something with your kids name and DOB on it to take. I'm guessing your kids don't even have passports as that would be an option too.

 

[drewster1]

I don't mean to make the situation even more difficult, but I had a very hard time using a copy of my son's birth certificate for the Birthday promotion. CM absolutely refused to accept the copy, saying that she had to have an original birth certificate. I had to hold my ground and ask for a supervisor who approved it. However, then the CM refused to give me back the copy of the birth certificate saying that she had to throw it away. Obviously I wasn't going to let her keep the birth certificate so I had to go find the supervisor again, who retrieved the certificate for me.