Passports For Children--What You Need To Know

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

17 Apr 2006 11:33 PM

Here's a lesson that a friend of mine recently learned the hard way: if you are applying for a passport for your child you MUST have the child with you. All first-time passport applicants must apply in person, regardless of age. No matter how hard you try (my friend put up a good fight), rules are rules. A parent or legal guardian can apply for their infant's or child's passport, but the child must be present at the time of the application. So, besides your child, what else will you need to bring to the passport office?

1. A completed passport application form. (You can download an application form at www.travel.state.gov.)

2. Two regulation passport photos of your child (2x2inches in size, color, taken in the past six months).

3. Proof of your child's citizenship such as a certified birth certificate.

4. Proof of your relationship to the child -- if you are the child's parent and your name is on your child's birth certificate, the certified birth certificate will suffice.

5. Proof of your identity such as a passport or valid drivers license.

6. Money for the passport application fees ($82 for first-time passports for children under 16, $67 for renewals).

7. Your spouse. Both parents must appear with the child at the time of application or one parent may appear with a notarized statement of consent authorizing passport issuance for the child.

8. If a third-party in is applying on behalf of a minor under the age of 14 he or she must submit a notarized written statement or affidavit from both parents or guardians authorizing a third-party to apply for a passport. When the statement or affidavit is from only one parent/guardian, the third-party must present evidence of sole custody of the authorizing parent/guardian.

9. If your child is to young to sign his or her passport, the parent or guardian must print the child's name on the passport and sign their own name. In parentheses next to the adult's signature indicate the relationship to the child.

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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Katie-Anne Gustafsson (604) 18 Jan 2007 01:51 AM

You know what gets me about these passports? The photo! My 6 year old just had his passport renewed but until July last year he was traveling with photo ID where resembled a bald alien! It was taken when he was 3 months old (a preemie no less!) ready for his first flight - and he's traveled on that photo ever since. He's now very proud of his new one. Meanwhile my 3 year old shows his passport and says "baby connor" to the passport control just to make sure that they realize he's a bit older than he was when that was taken (also aged 3 months!).

I think kid's passports should be on a 2 year maximum renewal until they're at least 6 or 7 because otherwise there's not much point of having the photo at all really - but that's just my opinion!

Katie-Anne