Jun 30 2010
Childs Passport: Submit An Application For One Before You Require It
If you need to get a childrens passport for your son or daughter, you need to know what the rules are for applying. All children, even infants, need to have a passport for traveling abroad. There are extra requirements if the child is between 16 and 18.
Minors below 16 years of age need to apply for passports with both parents/guardians present. You must show proof of the childs citizenship, which will be returned. Among the documents you can use for proof are an U.S. Passport which is not damaged, a certificate of birth, abroad or in the U.S., and either a citizenship or naturalization.
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.
If any furnished documents are in another language, they must be translated. It can be formally or informally translated. Both original and English translation must be submitted with the passport application.
You cannot use previously issued passports to prove your relationship with the child. If a name has been changed since the issuing of the original documents, you need to submit proof of that legal change. For example, you can submit a copy of your marriage certificate. Also, current identification must be shown by the parents or guardians, like a drivers license, an undamaged pass port, a naturalization certificate, or a military/government ID.
Both parents need to consent for a child below 16 years of age to get a passport. They must appear with the child when making the application. If they are not both able to appear, at least one must go as the form needs to be signed in front of the passport agent. Meanwhile, a Statement of Consent for the other parent must be turned in. This form needs to be notarized within the last three 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.
If necessary, a third party may apply for the minors passport. This person must appear with a notarized statement from both parents or guardians. If there is only one parent or guardian, proof of sole custody must also be furnished.
Besides the application and evidence for identification, custody, and relationship, you must supply two photos and pay a fee. If the child is between 16 and 18, he or she will also need to show a photo id. If none is available, the photo identification of the parents or guardians can be substituted. Whichever is used, a copy must also be submitted with the application. As with any passport, a child US passport should be applied for before it is a necessity.
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