Ins And Outs Of Getting A Passport For Kids

Mon, 07 Jun 2010 23:43:29 EST

Getting a passport for kids is not as easy as getting one for an adult. The laws are very strict due to incidents of a children being kidnapped and taken to another country by one of the parents. All children are considered a minor if they are under the age of eighteen and unmarried, and all, including newborns and infants, are required to have passports to travel in and out of the country.

No passport will be issued for a child unless they appear in person when the application is made. Their parents or an authorized representative must accompany them. The application can only be made to an acceptance agent who is located in a post office, county or municipal clerk's office. All children must have a passport, regardless of age.

There have been many cases of children being born to United States citizens when they were abroad. The newborn must have a passport to stay in that country with the parents and to get back into this country when they return. As soon as possible after the child's birth, the parent(s) and child must go to the nearest US Embassy or Consulate and apply for a passport. The parents must have proof that they are citizens of the United States and the Embassy or Consulate will process the paperwork.

In 2001 a law was passed called the two-parent consent law. This was due to the rash of parents taking children out of the country when they had no authority to do so. It is now required that both parents be present and sign the application papers for the child. Proof must be presented that they are the real parents or guardians.

If one parent applies for the children's passport, they must have proof of authorization to do so or have a notarized statement from the other parent that they agree with the application. Other exceptions are court orders, proof of termination of parental rights and others. The parent applying for the child's passport must prove their identity and show the child's birth certificate with the parents' names.

The two-parent rule also applies to those 16 and 17. They must appear in person accompanied by a parent or parents. If they are under a guardianship or adopted that person or persons must be present. Other papers required are the same as for any child.

Married or divorced couples often have problems regarding who is going to have custody of the children. If one is afraid the other might take a child and leave the country, they can contact an alert program and ask to be informed if any application has been made for the child's passport. They will inform the other parent immediately if this is done.

Getting a passport for kids is much more complicated than getting one for an adult. The acceptance agents will not take the passport application unless all the necessary documents are present. The child's naturalization or natural birth certificate, pictures taken by a passport photographer, proof of parental relationship and any of the exceptions of the two-parent law.

TRCB.com RSS Feed

Ins And Outs Of Getting A Passport For Kids