Jun 21 2010
Getting A Passport For Babies Is Not As Tough As It May Seem
Summer vacation is almost here and that means family travel season. Once the children finish the school year, they will be eager to embark on a family vacation. If the family is planning to vacation outside of the United States (U.S.), each vacationer must obtain a U.S. Passport. Plan ahead because there are special requirements for those wishing to obtain a passport for infants.
All children, including newborns and infants, must have their own passport. Minors under age 16 must apply in person with both parent(s)/guardian(s) present. The minor must complete the passport application (which can be found online) and submit evidence of U.S. citizenship. The parent(s)/guardian(s) must submit evidence of the relationship to the minor and must also show their own identification and provide a photocopy of the identification in addition to providing parental consent.
Minors age 16 and 17 also must appear in person with a parent/guardian present in order to apply for a U.S. Passport. The offices accepting in-person applications are a U.S. Regional Passport Agency, Passport Acceptance Facility, or a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. The minor must present the passport application and evidence of U.S. citizenship. The minor must also present his/her photo identification or a parent may present his/her own photo identification if the minor does not have photo identification. A photocopy of the identification document being used must also be presented. If the parents consent is not stated on the minors application, the parent may be asked to provide separate written consent.
All passports require that the minor applicant pay a fee in order to obtain a passport book and/or card. The fee, comprised of a passport charge and an execution charge, is less for minors than for adults. The acceptable methods of payment vary depending on where the minor will be submitting the passport application.
Occasionally, the need arises for an expedited passport and there are several ways to make this happen. The standard government time frame for expediting is 2 to 3 weeks for an additional charge, whereas the private services providers can make this happen in one to two business days if needed. This comes with an additional fee above what the government charges for the passport to be issued.
Two photographs will be needed in order to complete the passport for kids application process and these should be in color and identical. These really should be done by a photographer that understands the exact requirements from the government for these types of pictures. There are normally local options such as some smaller photographers and even nearby pharmacies that can make this happen for a nominal fee.
For renewals, any minor that was under the age of 16 at the time the passport was first issued will need to reappear at a local office in order to get it renewed. If the child was 16 at the time of issue, then it is possible for them to renew by mail rather than have to go into a local passport agency. They will need to have their old passport handy as it is turned in with new photos and a completed renewal application. If the expedited service in necessary, then they can either choose the government wait time of two to three weeks or one of the online services that can shorten that wait time greatly.
Any way you look at it, a passport for minors has to be applied for in person if they are under the age of 17. If they were lucky enough to be 16 when their initial passport was issued, then the renewal options are greater by being able to either go online or through the mail. If having the passport expedited is the only option they have due to scheduling, then either the government option or the private services may be utilized, depending on the speed that the passport needs to be returned.
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