Children are becoming more frequent international travelers, either with their parents or for school trips. The better time to get a US passport for kids is before they'll actually need one. Since you're the child's parents, it's your responsibility to make the application and get it done properly.
Minor Passports
In this context, a child is anyone under the age of sixteen years old. Even if your child already has one, these are the rules to follow if it will expire before your child reaches sixteen years old. The requirements have gotten increasingly detailed over the years as the federal government tries to minimize the risk of child trafficking.
Citizenship
You'll have to prove your child is a US citizen. The easiest way to do this is provide a certified, long form copy of your child's birth certificate. Other acceptable documents to prove citizenship include a valid US passport (not yet expired), certificate of naturalization, report of a birth abroad, or certification of a birth abroad.
Child's Legal Guardians
The next proof required must show you are both indeed the child's parents or legal guardian. Any of the documents proving US citizenship can also serve to prove your relationship as long as both parents' names are listed on the document. If this isn't the case, you'll need additional documentation to prove your relationship to the child. You can offer a court order. That order should show either guardianship or custody. If your child is adopted, the decree can suffice as well.
Parental Consent
A child can't make an application without full parental consent. Normally, this means that both parents must show their consent. However, in recognition that there are complicated family statuses, there are specific requirements to follow in case there is only one legal parent or guardian. If that is your situation, you can consult at the table of parental consent, which is online, to determine your exact requirements.
Passport Agency
Where both parents do have legal custody, they will both have to consent. At least one of these parents will have to by present with the child at the authorized US passport office when submitting the application. As part of your child's application, you'll have to fill out federal form DS-11. However, this form is only valid when signed by the parent in the presence of the application agent so don't sign it until you're asked.
Federal Forms
The best situation is for both parents to be at the application appointment and sign the DS-11 then. However, if only parent can be present, you'll have to bring along one more form. Federal form DS-3053 can show the consent of the parent not at the appointment if it's signed and properly notarized. There's a different form for US online passport renewal application.
Minor Passports
In this context, a child is anyone under the age of sixteen years old. Even if your child already has one, these are the rules to follow if it will expire before your child reaches sixteen years old. The requirements have gotten increasingly detailed over the years as the federal government tries to minimize the risk of child trafficking.
Citizenship
You'll have to prove your child is a US citizen. The easiest way to do this is provide a certified, long form copy of your child's birth certificate. Other acceptable documents to prove citizenship include a valid US passport (not yet expired), certificate of naturalization, report of a birth abroad, or certification of a birth abroad.
Child's Legal Guardians
The next proof required must show you are both indeed the child's parents or legal guardian. Any of the documents proving US citizenship can also serve to prove your relationship as long as both parents' names are listed on the document. If this isn't the case, you'll need additional documentation to prove your relationship to the child. You can offer a court order. That order should show either guardianship or custody. If your child is adopted, the decree can suffice as well.
Parental Consent
A child can't make an application without full parental consent. Normally, this means that both parents must show their consent. However, in recognition that there are complicated family statuses, there are specific requirements to follow in case there is only one legal parent or guardian. If that is your situation, you can consult at the table of parental consent, which is online, to determine your exact requirements.
Passport Agency
Where both parents do have legal custody, they will both have to consent. At least one of these parents will have to by present with the child at the authorized US passport office when submitting the application. As part of your child's application, you'll have to fill out federal form DS-11. However, this form is only valid when signed by the parent in the presence of the application agent so don't sign it until you're asked.
Federal Forms
The best situation is for both parents to be at the application appointment and sign the DS-11 then. However, if only parent can be present, you'll have to bring along one more form. Federal form DS-3053 can show the consent of the parent not at the appointment if it's signed and properly notarized. There's a different form for US online passport renewal application.
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