oh my God! Guess what I dont have? Birth cert questions - MA and NY

[imgoingtodisney]

DH & DSs birth certificates look the same and should as they are both MA - both have raised seals, and both say Copy of Record of Birth

Mine from NY however says "cert of birth reg - this is to certify that a birth cert has been filed for --" raised seal however there are immunization dates on the bottom that are filled in in ink

Im assuming all 3 are acceptable since they all have raised seals?

Just called DCL to get the actual facts on this. What I have is a certificate of birth registration - I need to contact VitalCheck first thing Mon morn and get a real birth certificate. I used this to fly Oct and Dec last year w/no problem and to cruise last Dec w/no problem. DCL said they have actually gotten stricter even in the past 10 months!

 

[LarryC]

The paper with the immunization records IS NOT A CERTIFIED BIRTH CERTIFICATE!

One of our travelling companions on a recent trip to Mexico brought that exact same document and had a huge hassle at the airport. After MUCH discussion (tears), she was finally allowed to go, but they told her to expect the same hassle upon return to the US.

Play it safe and NEVER leave the country without a passport.

 

[jlmcantwait]

Barb,
You put all of them from MA. Is yours from MA or NY? All the time you put into this trip and they wont let you on the ship?????
You can get a birth cert pretty quick from the city/town hall. I am assuming yours is from NY 'cause I think you said Dave went to pick his up at the town hall. Call the town clerk it is usually $5 and they send it right out once they get the check. Law

 

[mcnuss]

Mine from NY however says "cert of birth reg - this is to certify that a birth cert has been filed for --" raised seal however there are immunization dates on the bottom that are filled in in ink

Barb- I was born in NY too and I will go find my birth certificate now and will let you know if it looks the same as yours.

Allison

 

[nicurnc]

My NY birth certificate has "Certificate of Birth" printed at the top, no record of immunizations and a raised seal in the bottom corner.
The disclaimer on the bottom states that this is a true copy.

By the way on our return from a cruise last week, my DH's and my military IDs were acceptable forms of ID to enter at customs. The guard saw them with our driver's licenses as we were fumbling for the birth certifcates.
I do think we will get passports for future travel. These days it just seems to make sense

Loretta

 

[mcnuss]

Can't Find Mine, but...

I found DH's from Virginia; he was born in 1957. It also has a raised seal and an area below for immunizations. I know this is a real BC because he was able to get his passport with it.

Hope this helps.

 

[raisin64]

It was mentioned to me on my Oct Cruise that starting in January
they are going to ask all passengers to have passports. You know how rumors start, but if you are traveling in 2003 you might
want to check with DCL. Some other cruise lines are already enforcing this.

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

Take the BC in question to your nearest passport application office and ask whether they would accept this BC for a passport. If yes, then you'll be fine. If no, then you'll need to get a certified copy PDQ.

 

[mickeymom629]

-----------------------------
"It was mentioned to me on my Oct Cruise that starting in January
they are going to ask all passengers to have passports. You know how rumors start, but if you are traveling in 2003 you might
want to check with DCL. Some other cruise lines are already enforcing this."
--------------------------------

Just to let you know, I contacted DCL via email and got two responses both confirming that certified birth certificates are still acceptable. I was concerned because we are travelling at the end of Jan. and I am still unsure if I am going to bother spending the money for a passport. DCL says that immigration is the one who makes these rules. They had not yet had word of any changes.

I'm hoping no changes happen in the next 3 months!