OMG... Another birth certificate question

[tragicdesign]

I feel like such a noob, but I swear I've done this before.

 

So on the main Carnival FAQ page, it has this to say about birth certificates: Original or suitable quality copy of a Birth Certificate (Issued by a government agency: state/county/city) and a government issued photo ID if 16 years of age and older.

 

However, after you book, it says this: Birth Certificate MUST be from the Department of Vital Statistics and a government-issued photo ID will also be required for all guests ages 16 and over.

 

My birth certificate does not say Department of Vital Statistics, but rather says Department of Public Health. I don't think California even has a Department of Vital Statistics and these services just fall under the Department of Public Health. I should point out that this copy of my birth certificate was used to get my passport originally.

 

I'm sure I am just worrying about nothing and everything will be OK. Any thoughts?

 

I am never going to let my passport expire again. I am setting a calendar reminder as soon as I get my new one!

Edited June 18, 2014 by tragicdesign

[mapsmith]

A better reminder to renew your passport is to take a cruise each year. When you book that 10th cruise, you will see it is time to renew your passport!

 

:) :)

[SadieN]

If it's the County issued BC you're fine.

[cherylandtk]

It's fine, the correct department has various names in each state and is not necessary called "vital statistics" even though it handles the vital statistics. Carnival is just trying to make sure you bring the document issued by the appropriate government department rather than bringing a Hospital issued paper.

[sparks1093]

I should point out that this copy of my birth certificate was used to get my passport originally.

 

 

If it's good enough to get a passport it's good enough to use on a closed loop cruise:).

[Capt_BJ]

How expired is your passport?

 

If it is less than 15 years old you can still renew it . . . by mail ...

 

http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/passports/renew.html

 

still need a certain to be correct birth certificate? This is where the State Department refers you . .

 

http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/w2w.htm

 

for CA

 

Event: Birth

 

Cost of copy: $25.00

 

Address:

CA Department of Public Health - Vital Records

MS: 5103

P.O. Box 997410

Sacramento, CA 95899-7410

Edited June 18, 2014 by Capt_BJ

[goose30]

I don't think you need a birth certificate to RENEW a passport.

[Capt_BJ]

I don't think you need a birth certificate to RENEW a passport.

 

that is correct, my answer was in form of an OR rather than an AND

 

can you renew?

 

if yes, they are done

 

if NO

 

here's where to get a 'for sure good' BC . . .

 

to renew by mail all you need is your old passport, a new picture, the form and a check

Edited June 18, 2014 by Capt_BJ

[cb at sea]

Any state issued BC is fine....vital or health dept...doesn't matter.

[Keith1010]

Your birth certificate will be fine.

 

Keith

[NMLady]

Your birth certificate will be fine. They just want to make sure it's not the one given by the hospital.

[sail7seas]

Any state issued BC is fine....vital or health dept...doesn't matter.

 

 

 

Birth Certificates are issued by City and Town Halls in my state. I was born in City of ******** and it is City of ****** that provided my B/C, not Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Likely your post is incorrect as applies to a number of states.

 

Edited June 18, 2014 by sail7seas

[Shmoo here]

Birth Certificates are issued by City and Town Halls in my state. I was born in City of ******** and it is City of ****** that provided my B/C, not Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Likely your post is incorrect as applies to a number of states.

 

 

In our state the County issues the birth certificates. We had to go to the county clerk/registrar's office to get BCs for our kids when we got their passports.

[tragicdesign]

Thanks for all the responses! I am renewing my passport, but USPS lost track of it for a week (even though it was sent traceable...) so now it looks it won't arrive in time.

 

In California I can get an official copy of the birth certificate from the CA department of public health, but that would take four weeks. I can also get a copy from the county recorders office the same day, just for $28.

 

The original copy of the birth certificate was cut strangely when the state/county gave it to my mom, so just to be safe I will get a new copy today.

Edited June 19, 2014 by tragicdesign

[sail7seas]

In our state the County issues the birth certificates. We had to go to the county clerk/registrar's office to get BCs for our kids when we got their passports.

 

 

THat is my point.

It is not the same in all states.

One poster indicated it had to be state issued but it varies.

 

[Mytime2014]

Perhaps the websites should change it to say "as dictated by the state, country, region, continent in which you currently reside as a citizen or claim citizenship...."

[sail7seas]

Perhaps the websites should change it to say "as dictated by the state, country, region, continent in which you currently reside as a citizen or claim citizenship...."

 

 

Or they could shorten it to read the 'governmental authority that issues birth certificates' in the place where you were born. That would work, wouldn't it?

 

[Capt_BJ]

it DOES vary by state

 

the link I mentioned http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/w2w.htm

 

has this information collected for all states, for birth, death, marriage and death certificates ..... I've had 100% success using the information on this site.

[Capt_BJ]

OP

 

Thanks for all the responses! I am renewing my passport, but USPS lost track of it for a week (even though it was sent traceable...) so now it looks it won't arrive in time.

 

Did you sign up for e-mail notification of status? IME this was MUCH more accurate than what the status you can access on line was. It will tell you the day your renewed passport is mailed and note that 'regular' processing now includes Priority Mail for the return so you should get it quickly once processed.

 

see: http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/passports/information/application-status.html

 

to sign up for e-mail status alerts, go thru the process to 'check status' and they will then ask if you want to sign up for e-mail alerts. I rec'd an e-mail telling me mine was mailed days b4 the online status reflected it was finished. End to end I got my renewal in 17 days . . . just recently.

Edited June 19, 2014 by Capt_BJ

[tragicdesign]

Everything was OK and got on and off the ship OK. Getting on the Carnival agent had to get her boss to approve my documents, but coming back was a breeze - no issue at all.

[sail7seas]

Happy it worked out for you.

Thanks for coming back to let us know.

Hope you had a great cruise. :)