we need a birth certificate too?

[Kurby]

i was just reading another post about a birthcertificate snaffoo and it had me wondering why the mention of a bc was important at all.

am i understanding that you not only need a passport but you need your birth certificate for the cruise as well?

guess i should get on it since i haven't seen mine in years

 

[kcashner]

If you have a passport, all you need is the passport. If you don't have a passport you will need a government issued photo ID and CERTIFIED birth certificate (the one with the official seal from a state...not a souvenier certificate from a hospital.)

 

[cherylclt]

If you have a passport you do not need a birth certificate.

You do however need your birth certificate to get a passport.

 

[Dale-n-Chip]

Personally, I think it's a good idea to have two birth certificates. I never feel ***fortable sending mine away--most especially to the US government! For me, having a spare was well worth the extra $12 I spent.

And if you can't lay your hands on yours within an hour of searching, I'd order a new one. They are easy and quick to get, even ordering from out-of-state. I used VitalChek d o t c o m and received DS's from Ohio to Texas in 1 week around Christmas.

Good luck!

mk

 

[tvguy]

Personally, I think it's a good idea to have two birth certificates. I never feel ***fortable sending mine away--most especially to the US government! For me, having a spare was well worth the extra $12 I spent.

And if you can't lay your hands on yours within an hour of searching, I'd order a new one. They are easy and quick to get, even ordering from out-of-state. I used VitalChek d o t c o m and received DS's from Ohio to Texas in 1 week around Christmas.

Good luck!

mk

Just be careful with vitachek. They have been known to send you copies of your BC , that were not certified copies. Also, some states, like California, no longer allow third party ***panies to get copies, you or a relative have to do it.

 

[Kurby]

we live in Ontario and I just ordered it through the Ontario website. should get it within 15 days

i bet i'll find it after the new one arrives.

here you can only have 1 original and 1 copy

not exactly sure what happens if this one gets lost or stolen - surly they must mean that i would have to get a sworn affidavit to say i lost it or it was stolen?

anyways - i'll have to make sure I put it in the safe with all our other paperwork.

 

[Dale-n-Chip]

Just be careful with vitachek. They have been known to send you copies of your BC , that were not certified copies. Also, some states, like California, no longer allow third party ***panies to get copies, you or a relative have to do it.

I got the VitalChek info from the Ohio department of vital statistics' website as a "trusted vendor." All I can say is they were recommended by the state and worked fine for me. I received my BC within a week directly from the state. Another vendor they recommend is USCerts.

As for having to go yourself or get a relative to go. . . There is always ordering by mail yourself if you don't live there anymore. Since not one person in my family lives where any of us was born (that holds true for my family as well as my DH's family), thank goodness we aren't required to appear in person!

If you need to write or send to obtain a BC, try an internet search for something like "<your state> birth certificate copy" and you should be able to find your state's office of vital statistics' website. That's where I found the information about obtaining DS's from Ohio. I absolutely agree that any third party vendor should be recommended by your state's office, not just a website found on an internet search engine.

mk

 

[tayray]

I know tou need your birth certificate and photo I.D. if you don't have a passport, but what do you do about a photo I.D. for small children. Do they only need their birth certificate?

 

[atinkerbellmom]

Karen-
Since you already have a passport, that is all you need. You should get a passport for Cassandra (if she doesn't have one yet), since you are looking at a 2009 cruise too. You will need Passports for all by 2009.

 

[thomprod]

I know tou need your birth certificate and photo I.D. if you don't have a passport, but what do you do about a photo I.D. for small children. Do they only need their birth certificate?

Children do not need photo ID. Their KTTW card will be used to leave and re-enter the ship at a port. A passport or certified birth certificate will be needed to re-enter the US at the end of the cruise.

 

[outahere]

Children do not need photo ID. Their KTTW card will be used to leave and re-enter the ship at a port. A passport or certified birth certificate will be needed to re-enter the US at the end of the cruise.

Actually, you need it when you check in at the port, as well as when you disembark.