Question about birth certificates

[Parrotheader]

I have an official copy of my birth certificate from the state of Alabama so I know that I'm set (naturally I'll also have my driver's license.)

My wife on the other hand does not have a birth certificate issued by the state. Hers was issued by the county and is a "Certified Extract of Birth Record." Even though it looked different than mine, I thought it looked perfectly fine at first glance (it has a raised seal and all the official looking mumbo jumbo you'd expect.) I saw in a previous thread that these types of certificates might not be accepted, although in that case the person only mentioned this for the states of Texas and California (which along with Florida obviously have a much higher population of illegal aliens.)

Do I need to worry about getting a more official birth certificate (or even passport??) for her? Or will we most likely be fine?

 

[aprilgail2]

Can't you just apply and get her a real one? The certificate I had only said my date of birth and FEMALE....not even a name LOL.....I had to get a real one with my name on it!

 

[D A P & I]

I have the ame question. I sent away for them to the county clecks office in the state of TX and FL. My Husbands is the complete deal, but no seal only watermarks????? Mine is a abstract of birth facts with the seal of TX all it has is my name at birth, date,sex county,parents names nothing else. Please help with all these questions, because we don't want to get thereand they say this won't do!
It was easy to get them. You pull up the website for your county and state you were born in. Then copy the form you have to fill out and mail in with 11.00 to 13.00 per copy. It takes about 2 weeks.
Now I need to know if these are okay, or do I need to get a passport or start over????
Thanks guys we are all waiting to hear.

 

[Parrotheader]

Naturally I COULD send away for one. I realize that theoretically it's no big deal. But the last time I requested a new birth certificate (for myself back when I started college) it took FOREVER to get a copy. It honestly took WELL over 6 weeks to finally get a copy back. Maybe they've improved on the process a little since then (that was 7 years ago) but I'm still skeptical and not really wanting to have to go back through the process again. Our vacation isn't until late May so maybe that would give them enough time.

 

[mermaid69]

I used a bc (3 times with DCL) that didn't even have a raised seal. My parents told me that was the only bc they had.

However, when I tried to apply for a passport, I was told that it wouldn't work and had to request an official copy.

Mel

 

[TNErnie]

Our travel agent asked us to bring our birth certificates to her office and show her to make sure they were okay--3 are from TN and mine is from IL--they all have a raised seal--however mine is very faint, but she said as long as the word "county" was on there too, which it was, that it would be fine--(hope she's right)--If you booked thru an agent, take the certificates to them and show them--or contact the cruise line--you could call your state's Dept of Vital Records to see about getting a newer one (which I am sure you have already done) but you never know--things may be different and better and faster by now!

 

[Drez]

You'll still need an official birth certificate to get a passport.
When I got mine, they took a copy of my BC and mailed it with my passport application. It did come back with my passport though.

I *think*, but I'm not 100% positive, that you need to have the seal on your BC for the cruise checkin. Last year they physically checked mine and my wife's BC for the seal.

You can order official BC's from http://www.vitalchek.com/
My wife had to use them to order a copy of her BC from California (We live in Delaware) and it only took about 2 weeks to get here. I was lucky and only had to drive down the road to the office of vital stats and ask

 

[mermaid69]

I cruised in May 2000, Sept 2000, and Sept 2001...all without a raised seal on my cert.

However, with increased security measures everywhere, you'll have peace of mind if you just have the raised seal certificate.

Mel

 

[Drez]

You'll still need an official birth certificate to get a passport.
When I got mine, they took a copy of my BC and mailed it with my passport application. It did come back with my passport though.

I *think*, but I'm not 100% positive, that you need to have the seal on your BC for the cruise checkin. Last year they physically checked mine and my wife's BC for the seal.

You can order official BC's from http://www.vitalchek.com/
My wife had to use them to order a copy of her BC from California (We live in Delaware) and it only took about 2 weeks to get here. I was lucky and only had to drive down the road to the office of vital stats and ask

 

[Toad]

I have always been a firm believer in getting a passport. If you have ANY concerns about not getting through on the documents you have, at least a passport is universally accepted. Of course it is different for me since most of my travel is international, but for the money, it is the best piece of security I have. Not sure the cost in the US , but for me $70 for peace of mind is a bargain.

 

[DVC1996]

I ordered new copies of birth certificates for both dh and I through vitalcheck.com. dh' was born on naval base in SC and the seal is definitely not raised. It's more like a red ink stamp. Mine is from TN and there is a seal but it is only slightly raised. I've got both together in an envelope along with the receipts they sent along with the BCs. We leave Sunday for our cruise so I'll post on here if we run into any problems.

 

[ucralum]

It just has to be an official, certified copy. Not all counties use raised seals. My bc from Los Angeles county, CA (1960) has a beautiful raised seal; my son's from Orange County, CA (1992) has an official stamp (ink).

If you are "iffy" about your bc, getting a passsport is not a viable option, as the state department is quite particular about its being an official copy you provide with your application.

 

[cuterlt]

I was born in San Diego and my bc has just a blue ink mark on it. I was able to use it to get a passport just fine....
Thanks for the link to get bcs....we've got to get my hubbys before we even start planning our cruise...

 

[rlskes]

Originally posted by DVC1996
dh' was born on naval base in SC and the seal is definitely not raised. It's more like a red ink stamp. We leave Sunday for our cruise so I'll post on here if we run into any problems.

I will be right there with you if there are any problems with the SC BC's. I am from SC and both of our DD's were born here (DH is from Nebraska and his has the raised seal).

Just 2 more days............ :bounce

Kim