dd0yl3 Posted February 22, 2014 #1 Share Posted February 22, 2014 We are leaving for our first cruise next week and my wife has to use her birth certificate to board. It's her original birth certificate and is eligible but looks a little rough. Does RCL make A big deal on this? Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Shippy Posted February 22, 2014 #2 Share Posted February 22, 2014 You are taking a chance on not being allowed to board. There is an 'extortion' fee you can pay for an expidited passport but do not know if you are to close to sailing even for that. I would call the cruiseline. They must have some department that handles things like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nolesrule Posted February 22, 2014 #3 Share Posted February 22, 2014 It needs to be certified by the issuing authority. I've never seen an original birth certificate. I thought those were kept on file by the government. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dd0yl3 Posted February 22, 2014 Author #4 Share Posted February 22, 2014 It's the one issued to her thirty years ago Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nolesrule Posted February 22, 2014 #5 Share Posted February 22, 2014 It's the one issued to her thirty years ago Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Is it an actual birth certificate with a seal on it certifying authenticity? or a notice of birth registration (which is just a receipt for submitting birth certificate information)? If she is a US citizen, she can look up how to get a certified copy of her birth certificate from the state she was born in online, but it might be too late even for expedited delivery depending on when you leave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cb at sea Posted February 22, 2014 #6 Share Posted February 22, 2014 If it was the HOSPITAL certificate of live birth, that's not the right one. If it was issued BY THE STATE, it's fine. Each State has a Dept. of Vital Records (or something similar)...that's who issues a valid BC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
temple1 Posted February 22, 2014 #7 Share Posted February 22, 2014 Don't forget, she will also need her photo drivers license or state issued ID AND your marriage license if your wife does not use her maiden name. The marriage license is the "bridge" document between her birth certificate that shows her citizen ship and her drivers license which is her proof of identification. Good luck, I hope the birth certificate is the one with the raised seal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
workathome Posted February 22, 2014 #8 Share Posted February 22, 2014 My family used birth certificates to board the Liberty and had no problem. Mine and my husband's are over 40 years old and rough. All had the raised seal. Just make sure it is a certified copy with raised seal. If you are nervous you can always go down to the county offices where it was issued (if you still live near by) and get a copy on the spot. It would take longer by mail. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dd0yl3 Posted February 22, 2014 Author #9 Share Posted February 22, 2014 It's the one issued by the state. I called RCL and talk to a representative. He said as long as it's readable and has official markings it's good. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TravelerThom Posted February 22, 2014 #10 Share Posted February 22, 2014 (edited) It's the one issued to her thirty years agoIt has to be issued by a Government office (in most cases, that would be by a state agency, but some states delegate this to lower level officials). If it was issued by the hospital you have a big problem. Thom OKAY - has been discussed; I type slowly Edited February 22, 2014 by TravelerThom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark_K Posted February 22, 2014 #11 Share Posted February 22, 2014 It has to be issued by a Government office (in most cases, that would be by a state agency, but some states delegate this to lower level officials). If it was issued by the hospital you have a big problem. Thom OKAY - has been discussed; I type slowly In Michigan birth certificates are issued by the county where the birth took place. Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dd0yl3 Posted February 22, 2014 Author #12 Share Posted February 22, 2014 In Michigan birth certificates are issued by the county where the birth took place. Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app Yeah and that's where her birth certificate is from. It looks like everything will work out. I got real nervous there. I should have checked earlier. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sat1 Posted February 22, 2014 #13 Share Posted February 22, 2014 I sailed from, and returned, from Galveston. Only needed was a certified B.C. and drivers license. I agree with others, the key is certified. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WetToes Posted February 22, 2014 #14 Share Posted February 22, 2014 Our first few cruises we used BC's. No problem Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJS Posted February 22, 2014 #15 Share Posted February 22, 2014 I took my 18 year old grandson last fall on a cruise and his birth certificate was in really poor shape. Coming back through customs they made a negative comment about it but took it. You will be fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nascar junkie Posted February 22, 2014 #16 Share Posted February 22, 2014 My understanding is you do not need a passport but can use birth certificate and drivers license as long as you are returning by sea. The catch is , if for some reason you need to fly back, you can't enter the US without a passport. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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