AmandaK32 Posted July 29, 2016 #1 Share Posted July 29, 2016 Hi! I am going on my friend cruise in September and I am using my birth certificate. I have my original birth certificate with the raised seal but it's older. [emoji4] Do I need to get an updated one before we travel or is the original ok to use? Thanks!!! Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare sparks1093 Posted July 29, 2016 #2 Share Posted July 29, 2016 (edited) Hi! I am going on my friend cruise in September and I am using my birth certificate. I have my original birth certificate with the raised seal but it's older. [emoji4] Do I need to get an updated one before we travel or is the original ok to use? Thanks!!! Sent from my iPhone using Forums Birth certificates don't expire;) so you'll be fine. Edited July 29, 2016 by sparks1093 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmandaK32 Posted July 29, 2016 Author #3 Share Posted July 29, 2016 Birth certificates don't expire;) so you'll be fine. Awesome! That's so much lol it would be horrible to get there and not be able to get on the ship! Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cb at sea Posted July 29, 2016 #4 Share Posted July 29, 2016 That's all I travel with...mine is 35 years old...you don't need a new one if yours came from the Dept. of Vital statistics in your state. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmandaK32 Posted July 29, 2016 Author #5 Share Posted July 29, 2016 That's all I travel with...mine is 35 years old...you don't need a new one if yours came from the Dept. of Vital statistics in your state. Mine will be 33 years old haha it's hand written and my friend liked to inform me they don't make them that way anymore. Want to make sure, for this is my first cruise. [emoji1] Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare sparks1093 Posted July 29, 2016 #6 Share Posted July 29, 2016 Mine will be 33 years old haha it's hand written and my friend liked to inform me they don't make them that way anymore. Want to make sure, for this is my first cruise. [emoji1] Sent from my iPhone using Forums Actually it wasn't too long ago that someone asked if a handwritten birth certificate would be accepted and while there were naysayers the OP was able to board with it (or his/her friend). The critical thing is that it is issued by a government agency and not a hospital. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuizer2 Posted July 29, 2016 #7 Share Posted July 29, 2016 Hi! I am going on my friend cruise in September and I am using my birth certificate. I have my original birth certificate with the raised seal but it's older. [emoji4] Do I need to get an updated one before we travel or is the original ok to use? Thanks!!! Sent from my iPhone using Forums Were you born again? Birth certificates are issued at the time of birth. People expect the birth certificate to be about the same age as you. The original should be fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
relic2 Posted July 31, 2016 #8 Share Posted July 31, 2016 I agree with Cuizer2, but wonder why you don't get a passport. Unless you are only doing a closed loop cruise, that would be required if you are a US citizen. You have plenty of time to get one and it is accepted on any cruise. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kwaj girl Posted July 31, 2016 #9 Share Posted July 31, 2016 Get a passport! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
griffy116 Posted August 1, 2016 #10 Share Posted August 1, 2016 I would get a passport while you still have time. The birth certificate will be fine for a closed loop cruise. However, should anything happen, you would not be able to fly back without a passport. This can happen for a couple of reasons. When the cruise ship's engine failed that was in the news, they finally docked and flew he passengers back. The ones that did not have a passport had to contact the Embassy to get an emergency one issued which delayed them returning. Also, if you got injured and had to fly back, you'll run into the same problem. Finally, should an emergency occur back home and you need to fly back, you'll run into a problem without a passport. Just a heads up and something to think about...not a lecture. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare sparks1093 Posted August 1, 2016 #11 Share Posted August 1, 2016 I would get a passport while you still have time. The birth certificate will be fine for a closed loop cruise. However, should anything happen, you would not be able to fly back without a passport. This can happen for a couple of reasons. When the cruise ship's engine failed that was in the news, they finally docked and flew he passengers back. The ones that did not have a passport had to contact the Embassy to get an emergency one issued which delayed them returning. Also, if you got injured and had to fly back, you'll run into the same problem. Finally, should an emergency occur back home and you need to fly back, you'll run into a problem without a passport. Just a heads up and something to think about...not a lecture. The passengers on the cruise ship you mention did not have to contact the Embassy, CBP issued them a letter allowing them to fly back. That's all it took. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elaine5715 Posted August 4, 2016 #12 Share Posted August 4, 2016 (edited) t Were you born again? Birth certificates are issued at the time of birth. People expect the birth certificate to be about the same age as you. The original should be fine. Not quite....my birth certificate is about to be 56 years old and I am going on 36...:p Edited August 4, 2016 by Elaine5715 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elaine5715 Posted August 4, 2016 #13 Share Posted August 4, 2016 Birth certificates don't expire;) so you'll be fine. They do expire....with you...:rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheeniwoo Posted August 4, 2016 #14 Share Posted August 4, 2016 On my last cruise I used a photocopy of my birth certificate. This year in May 2016 I ordered a passport though, which took 6 weeks send off to my mailbox. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare sparks1093 Posted August 4, 2016 #15 Share Posted August 4, 2016 They do expire....with you...:rolleyes: Nope, it still serves to show where and when you were born along with all of the other data that is captured on it. You just aren't around to use it any longer;). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuizer2 Posted August 4, 2016 #16 Share Posted August 4, 2016 Hi! I am going on my friend cruise in September and I am using my birth certificate. I have my original birth certificate with the raised seal but it's older. [emoji4] Do I need to get an updated one before we travel or is the original ok to use? Thanks!!! Sent from my iPhone using Forums As long as the photo on the birth certificate looks like you, there should be no problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
relic2 Posted August 4, 2016 #17 Share Posted August 4, 2016 Does anyone ever compare footprints? [emoji57] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elaine5715 Posted August 4, 2016 #18 Share Posted August 4, 2016 The passengers on the cruise ship you mention did not have to contact the Embassy, CBP issued them a letter allowing them to fly back. That's all it took. Not so smooth for an individual. Besides having to arrange transportation to the Consulate, you will have lodging costs until the required documents are collected and an emergency passport is issued. This process may take several days, cost you $$ and if you are caught without the financial means to pay for a hotel, you may be sleeping in a doorway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare sparks1093 Posted August 4, 2016 #19 Share Posted August 4, 2016 Not so smooth for an individual. Besides having to arrange transportation to the Consulate, you will have lodging costs until the required documents are collected and an emergency passport is issued. This process may take several days, cost you $$ and if you are caught without the financial means to pay for a hotel, you may be sleeping in a doorway. A better case for good travel insurance. Yes, there is a slight risk something could go wrong and you would need to obtain assistance getting home. If you aren't okay with the risk your choice is clear- get a passport. If you are okay with the risk then you are fine to use an alternative document. (Since you are traveling with your birth certificate and government issued ID you would have all the documentation that you need for an emergency passport except for the application which would be made available to you, you would need to get passport photos.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geezer Jim Posted August 4, 2016 #20 Share Posted August 4, 2016 I will be traveling with my original birth certificate, 74 years old, used it to get my now expired passport, so, I'm hoping its good.............. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
floatn Posted August 9, 2016 #21 Share Posted August 9, 2016 Your birth certificate is good, but don't forget your photo ID which is ALSO required to board a ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmandaK32 Posted August 9, 2016 Author #22 Share Posted August 9, 2016 Thank you very much! Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmandaK32 Posted August 9, 2016 Author #23 Share Posted August 9, 2016 Were you born again? Birth certificates are issued at the time of birth. People expect the birth certificate to be about the same age as you. The original should be fine. You are able to get updated birth certificates at the health department. Mine is hand written and they don't make them like that now. lol Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuizer2 Posted August 9, 2016 #24 Share Posted August 9, 2016 You are able to get updated birth certificates at the health department. Mine is hand written and they don't make them like that now. lol Sent from my iPhone using Forums And before paper was invented they had to chisel your birthdate into stone. As a result you couldn't change your birthdate because it really was written in stone. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMerritt Posted August 10, 2016 #25 Share Posted August 10, 2016 Hi! I am going on my friend cruise in September and I am using my birth certificate. I have my original birth certificate with the raised seal but it's older. [emoji4] Do I need to get an updated one before we travel or is the original ok to use? Thanks!!! Sent from my iPhone using Forums The raised seal is the important part - we saw someone almost denied boarding due to a "funky" birth. certificate. Make some copies to stuff in your luggage, we even have extra copies of our passports with us at all times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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