Passport help needed!

[melmacd]

Ok, I've tried all week to get through to the passport office, no luck. Shocking, I know! But, I have to send out our applications this week so hopefully someone here can give me some help...

Do we have to submit the long-form birth certificates (which we would have to obtain from vital stats) or can we send in our small original copies?

It does say that we should submit DD's long form birth cert. to show both parent's information since we weren't married at the time of her birth... but this is where it gets sticky. Without going into a long upsetting story, DH (yes, we're married now) didn't want his name registered on her birth certificate so his name isn't even on it. Having called vital stats to try to get his name added, I was informed that since she's over the age of 1, we would have to do a DNA test to prove he's her biological father. My question is, does anyone know if the DNA test will be required to get her a passport?

HELP!

~mel

 

[RoyalCanadian]

From the responses read on other similar posts, it would seem that long form birth certificates are required (or at least strongly, strongly recommended) when applying for passports for children born prior to the marriage of their parents.

I have never heard of anyone requiring a DNA test when applying for a child's passport, but if one is required in order to have one's spouse listed as a parent on a long form birth certificate, then it would naturally follow that it would be necessary in this case. It's not necessarily the passport office requiring the DNA test, but the provincial registrar.

 

[CDN Prince Charming]

I can tell you that I got my DS(8) & DD's (5) passports back in October and all I submitted was the small original birth certificates for both and had no problems whatsoever. Received the passports a month later with the original birth certificates enclosed.

CDN Prince Charming

 

[Addicted2TheMouse]

I was married just before DS was born but just barely. When I applied for his passport, the lady said I had just made it because if I hadn't gotten married when I did I would have required the long birth certificate so Yes, you will need that. But if you are the only parent listed on it, I would just leave it at that. It shouldn't matter whether your DH is her father or not. If there is no father listed on her birth certificate I would think you should be able to get her passport by yourself.

 

[Northstar]

I think you'll be okay... the problem would be if you had a father listed on the long form who was not prepared to give permission for the passport to be issued.

It might be easier to have your husband legally adopt your daughter rather than try to get his name added to the BC. Or at least, make sure you have a will that specifies he is the guardian if you, God forbid, die while your daughter is young.

 

[melmacd]

Thanks guys for all your advice and help!

We got up at 4:30am (pacific time) to call in to the passport office and got everything straightened out. Phew!

Passports will be sent off tomorrow.

Thanks again!

~mel

 

[amw]

My DDs will shortly be 7 & 5. They've been through 2 sets of passports. I have never needed the long birth certificates.