HOLIDAY/BIRTH CERT CRISIS 😩

[OHFUCKCRAP]

Name changed incase anyone can link me to previous posts.

IM PANICKING.

me and my dd age 7 are due to go abroad in 2.5 weeks. We have different surnames and I’m seperated from her father. Got his permission to take her out the country and he’s going to provide a letter no problem.

On the gov website it says I need her birth certificate to prove I’m her mother. Lovely ! Collect it from my stepdad (he keeps all my important documents always has done) and he’s fucking LAMINATED it 😩😩😩 so god knows what they are going to do if they ask for it.

I go back on the gov website to order a new one that is posted the next working day. AMAZING. Only I’m putting in her details TIME AND TIME again and nothing is coming up. Can’t even find her on the GRO index.

I’ve rambled and I’m sorry but WHAT DO I DO NOW?!! She has had a very shit year and if they turn us away her heart will break 😩😩😩

why is laminated a problem?

I travelled recently and was asked to show the birth certificate only once, immediately before boarding in the UK. I don't think it would have made any difference if it was laminated or not!

I looked online and it said it could possibly invalidate the certificate 😩

I don’t see the problem with it being laminated, but if you want another copy can you go to the registry office in person and get one?

No you have to do it online

You can ring to order a certificate and pay for next day delivery.

I ordered a copy of my fiancés birth certificate recently via the council website of the county he was born in.

eg: https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/residents/community-and-living/births-deaths-and-ceremonies/certificates-births-deaths-and-marriages/apply-certificate

Can it not be found by the GRO reference?

I'm not separated but my toddler and I have different surnames. I've travelled solo plenty of times with him and have never been asked for a birth cert. They shouldn't be able to ask you for one just on the basis of having different surnames!

I think laminated is fine. They just want to see that you are her mother.

Can't you cut the side where the laminator seals the two sheets? It should then open

Hi
I have different surnames and always travel solo with my children. Yes they often ask for a birth certificate but you don’t need to bring the original one. I always use a copy and they never question it. Please don’t worry about it and Good luck with your holiday.

Pretty sure that if you just cut the sealed edges then the document will slide out

I don’t understand this. Where I would I find it? When I panic I seriously don’t understand basic things

I have travelled for 20 years with my DD’s, different surnames. Never been asked for any documentation.

I have a photo of their birth certs just in case. Never needed it.

likely you’ll be fine. You could take the laminated one but with the passport I can’t see it being an issue.

bit concerning you can’t order a duplicate though. I have about 3 just in case! Can you ring and check?

im going to try this

You're overthinking. Take the laminated certificate and add in a tax credit/child benefit letter etc that shows your name and her name if you're worried.

You'll be fine. 17 years of taking DC abroad, both different surnames to me (and eachother) and only twice have I ever been questioned. Both times at UK border asking them who 'mum' was, and have never been asked to produce any evidence (even though we took it).

Just get a ruler and a sharp blade, run it across the very top of the certificate and it will slide right out? The laminate doesn’t stick to the paper, it just seals to itself round the edges where the plastic meets?

I was told by passport control that just a photocopy was fine, so I’m sure laminated one is ok.

Going to call them bang on 8am! I had 2 and one got destroyed with candle wax. My daughter wasn’t supposed to be coming on this holiday that’s why it’s all last minute

😳😳😳😳 thank you so much I will try it

There must be a customer service number you can call tomorrow?

Just take the certificate out of the pouch?

I have travelled a few times with my DC alone (different surnames) and a picture of the birth certificate on my phone has always been accepted, never used the real thing

For heavens sake calm down. I have truly never seen such a fuss over nothing. Take the birth certificate as a laminated version, cut the lamination off or order a new birth certificate. You have several very easy options.