Oct 12 2011
The Requirements For Acquiring A Kids Pasport
It is a legal requirement that any person, adult or child, wishing to leave or return to the United States of America have their own official passport. Even very small children need to have their own documents. A kids passport can be obtained easily providing you have the necessary identification.
Age Requirements
A minor is defined as somebody under the age of sixteen. When applying, a form must be filled out entirely in their own name. Parental consent for the application must be given at the time of application and there are various rules as to who must sign the forms on their behalf, depending on their living arrangements.
Parents Must Be Present
In order for the application to go ahead and a passport to be processed, both the child and the parents must visit an acceptance agent. They will witness the signing of the forms. If possible, both parents should be present. If this is not possible, the absent parent should send in a notarized “Statement of Consent”. Should it be a one-parent family, the single parent will be required to provide proof of a custody agreement or the death certificate of the missing parent. There is a seperate form for expedited damaged passport renewal.
If the child is being cared for by people other than their parents when they make application, a notarized statement or affidavit will need to be presented from both parents or the parent who has sole custody. If there is a custody arrangement, documentation will be needed to prove this. Any documents presented as proof will have to be less than three months old.
US Citizenship
When applying for a minor, evidence of US citizenship will need to be given with the form. Ideally, you should provide either a previous passport or their birth certificate. If they were born abroad, there are a few different documents that can be shown to prove this. If you cannot present one of these primary forms of identification, you will need to provide documentation form the secondary identification list.
Birth Certificate
In addition to the identification of the child, evidence should also be presented showing the relationship between the parents or guardian and the child. This could be the birth certificate or a report showing their birth overseas with both parent’s names present. Those that were adopted can easily provide documentation to prove this. If a name has been changed since the document was issued, proof of the legal name change should be given as well. For example, proof of marriage or divorce is considered an acceptable form of proof.
Alternatives
Depending on the location you will be travelling to, it is not always necessary to get a passport issued. If you are only travelling to countries that have a border the United States like Canada, you only need to show a primary form of identification, for example a birth certificate or, for Canadians, a “Canadian Citizenship Card” can be produced.
A kids pass port is essential if you wish to take your child with you abroad at any time. It lasts for five years from the date they obtain it. Do not wait until the last minute to apply for it. There are also expedited damaged American passport renewal services.
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