Passport/Birth Certificate PSA

[Pooh2]

When I applied for my passport, I was surprised to find that the birth certificate I've had for 50 years was not the appropriate form for a passport application. Who knew??! It was good enough for a driver's license and marriage certificate. Did not know there was another form..

 

[longboard55]

When I applied for my passport, I was surprised to find that the birth certificate I've had for 50 years was not the appropriate form for a passport application. Who knew??! It was good enough for a driver's license and marriage certificate. Did not know there was another form..

good point, I wood not assume everything goes well on the first pass, they are very picky

 

[MelSpees]

When I applied for my passport, I was surprised to find that the birth certificate I've had for 50 years was not the appropriate form for a passport application. Who knew??! It was good enough for a driver's license and marriage certificate. Did not know there was another form..

They changed what kind was required at some point. When I was in college and got my first passport (1974) they accepted the hospital birth certificate. When I got one in 2008 they required an official certificate from the state. It was easy to get. I believe I was able to request it online.

 

[MickeyEarrings]

We had a similar situation getting my husband’s first passport (also from Pennsylvania, also born before 1967) — the document he had carried for years believing it to be his birth certificate was actually an *application* for a birth certificate. It did not have the required raised seal.... Sure looked official, though. That’s a good place to start if you’re thinking of getting a passport: check your supporting documents!

 

[jdb in AZ]

My passport renewal was painless and took about 2 wks. DH didn't have his eyes open wide enough in his pic for the passport people to verify the color of his eyes, so they "requested" a new picture. FedEx Kinkos retook his pic for free. Note to self -- make sure you have a passport photographer who knows what he's doing the first time -- The whole renewal process ended up taking a month longer than mine. We mailed the applications to Penn. The "request" for the new pic came from Virginia then the new passport was shipped from Arkansas. Bureaucracy at its finest.

 

[SherriNichole]

Are BC's sufficient for cruising or do I NEED a passport? We are going on the Fantasy in November, so I have time. I am married so my BC doesn't match my license. On another line, I got away with just my BC.

 

[lanejudy]

Are BC's sufficient for cruising or do I NEED a passport? We are going on the Fantasy in November, so I have time. I am married so my BC doesn't match my license. On another line, I got away with just my BC.

If you are a US resident, it is a closed loop cruise departing and returning to the same US port — you may cruise with a birth certificate plus photo ID. That is the minimum requirement.

Enjoy your cruise!