Birth Certificate Information A clear, legible copy (photocopy) of a birth certificate that was originally issued by a government agency (state/county/city) or the Department of Health and Vital Statistics. The copy does not need to be notarized or certified. Birth Certificate Card. A Consular Report of Birth Abroad.

No, you cannot use a photocopy of your birth certificate for cruise boarding. Cruise lines like Royal Caribbean and Disney strictly require original, state-certified documents with a raised seal or other official government markings. Hospital-issued "baby feet" certificates or photocopies are not legally valid for travel. While U.S. citizens can use an original birth certificate plus a government-issued photo ID (like a driver's license) for "closed-loop" cruises—those beginning and ending at the same U.S. port—a passport is still the most secure and efficient option. If you were forced to disembark in a foreign port due to an emergency, you would be unable to fly home without a valid passport. For minors under 16, the original birth certificate is often sufficient on its own, but for anyone 16 and older, the physical photo ID must accompany the original document to ensure a smooth boarding process.