Child’s Passport: Apply For One Before You Need It

If you have a child for whom you need to acquire a kid’s passport, it is important to know what the regulations are regarding this. Children of any age, even newborns, must have their own passports. In addition, for children of the age 16 and 17, there are additional requirements.

Children under the age of 16 must apply for their passports in person, accompanied by both of their parents/guardians. Proof of U. S. Citizenship must be supplied and will be returned. Acceptable proof includes a previous and undamaged U. S. Passport, official proof of birth or citizenship in the U. S. A social security number must also be provided.

It will be necessary to prove the relationship of the parents or guardians to the minor. Acceptable proof is a birth certificate, either U.S. or foreign, which has both parents’ names, an adoption decree listing the adopting parents, or a court order which establishes guardianship or custody.

Any documents that are furnished in a foreign language must be translated into English. The translation can be formal or informal. Both original and translation must be turned in along with the passport application.

Prior U. S. Passports may not be used to prove relationship. If a parent or guardian has changed his or her name since any original documents were issued, proof of the legal name change must be submitted. An example of such proof is a copy of a marriage certificate. In addition, both parents/guardians must show current identification such as: undamaged U. S. Passport, certificate of naturalization, driver’s license, government ID or military ID.

Both parents must consent in order for a minor below 16 years of age to get a passport. Therefore, they must both appear when the application is made along with the minor. If they are not able to appear together, one parent must attend, and submit a notarized Statement of Consent from the absent parent. The consent form must not be older than 3 months.

If complete custody is with only one parent, that parent must go with the minor to the passport agency and sign the form before the agent. Proof of sole authority must also be furnished. This can be a birth certificate or consular report of birth abroad, which lists only the one name. Alternative proof may be an adoption decree, a court order, an incompetence declaration, or a death certificate.

A third party can apply for the passport of the minor if necessary. In this case, that person must go to the passport agency with a notarized statement from both parents or guardians. Sole-custody proof must also be presented if there is only one parent or guardian.

Besides the application and the documents proving your relationship, custody, and identification, two passport-sized photos and the application fee must be provided. Minors between 16 and 18 should bring photo identification. If they do not have any, the parents or the guardians must show their photo id. Whatever identification is used, a copy must be submitted. It is a smart idea to apply for the passport for a minor before you really need it, as is the case with all USA passport.