Passports

[PLUTO2]

Do you need to bring a birth certificate if you have a passport? What is the youngest you can get a passport? Our youngest will be one yrs old. I read how if you do not have the right paperwork they will not let you get on the ship and I really do not want that to happen!Thanks for your help.

 

[Luv2Dream]

You don't need a birth certificate if you have a passport. I wouldn't waste my money on a one year old's passport. I'd just use a birth certificate. It has to have the raised seal on it that you get from the town. You run into a problem if it doesn't have the raised seal. I'm not sure what the youngest age is for a passport but I'm sure you could find that online. We've used a birth certificate only for my daughter up to this point. We did just obtain her a passport this summer but she is now 7. At her age, it is only good for 5 years.

 

[flexsmom]

No, you do not need to bring a birth certificate if you bring a passport, although there are people who would recommend bringing a child's birth certificate along even with a passport. (I'm not necessarily one of them!) Newborn babies can get a passport - as long as they have a birth certificate to submit to get one! When you take the picture of the baby for the passport, it must be on a white background, so you might want to drape a sheet over the baby carrier to ensure the white background. I'm sure when my son is 4 years old they'll laugh at his 5 month picture on his passport!

 

[tvguy]

A passport is ALWAYS best. My kids have had their's since age 2.
One reason is just because they are physically more durable than a birth certificate. I've been involved in Little League, where you have to provide a birth certificate every year. I've seen a lot of ragged birth certificates, where you have to guess if the raised seal is still on it. One parent went one step further and got one of the new bc printer on special paper, and had it laminated for use for school, little league, soccer and such.

 

[CM_Mom]

flexsmom, I've suggested to my son that he use his expired passport from when he was 2 for his I-9 identification (he's now 28) at work. They do say you can use an expired passport! So far he's declined my offer.

 

[jrabbit]

Originally posted by CM_Mom
flexsmom, I've suggested to my son that he use his expired passport from when he was 2 for his I-9 identification (he's now 28) at work. They do say you can use an expired passport! So far he's declined my offer.

I believe that if he goes to get a new passport that he has to submit his old passport (even though it's expired, they further mark it to make it harder to use). At some point you may still get to have the last laugh

 

[kellimomo3]

Myself, DH and our three DSs all got passports for our upcoming cruise. I was planning on not bringing our BCs. Can anyone make an argument for bringing the birth certificates?? The main reason I got us passports is that they are much easier to travel with than the BCs and much more durable!
Also, does anyone know if I am suppossed to sign our children's passports? They are 7, 6 & 4.

Thanks!!

Kelli

 

[crisi]

Yes, sign your children's passports.

Here is an argument for bringing both (though I don't agree). Put them in seperate places. If you lose your passport, you will be able to reenter the country without any hassle on just your birth certificate. Then you can deal with the lost passport at home.

 

[mrsltg]

It has to have the raised seal on it that you get from the town. You run into a problem if it doesn't have the raised seal.

This is no longer true. Being that we live in the age of computers, raised seals are no longer made. The new birth certificates are printed on watermark paper that says they are certified.

Erin

 

[232271]

is it really worth me spending
$85 x 2 (adults)
and

$70 x 2 (childs)

for passports? that seems like alot of money!

if I take this cruise and leave the country maybe one other time during my 10 years, do you think it is still worth it?

 

[MarcyIn Florida]

Originally posted by kellimomo3
Can anyone make an argument for bringing the birth certificates??

Well, I can make an argument for just about aything.

The only reason to bring a bc and a passport for your kids is if there is a name difference, like with remarriage. As long as your name is on the bc, they are less likely to raise eyebrows.