Where To Go To Get A Passport For Children For Children Under 16
Posted on February 4th, 2010
When applying for a US passport, children and adults have the same set of basic requirements. This includes the form they fill in and some of the documents they submit. However, children’s passport applications have slightly different requirements apart from the basic ones. These requirements are needed in order to establish the identity of the parents or guardians of the minor, plus the relationship between the minor and the parent/guardian.
When talking about special requirements for minors, there are different requirements for those under 16 than for those who are 16-17 years old. In this article, we’ll be dealing with the special requirements of those who are under 16. This category includes newborns and infants.
When minors apply for a US passport, they are required to complete Form DS-11. This is the most basic type of form that has been filled in by practically every passport holder today, as this is the form issued to first-time passport applicants. Parents or guardians of the applicants should assist the minors should they need help in filling in this form.
There’s also the need to establish the citizenship of a passport applicant. To do this, the applicant should submit any of the types of documents accepted by the passport office for the purpose. These documents include: the birth certificate, certificate of citizenship, naturalization certificate, or a consular report of the applicant’s birth if born abroad. The documents submitted will be returned along with the new passport. Sometimes, however, they may be mailed separately.
Then the applicant will also have to submit two recent color photographs along with the previously mentioned documents. The US Department of State has very specific requirements regarding passport photos so if you are a parent or guardian, and unsure what the exact requirements are, then inquire at your nearest passport office before applying. This will help you save a lot of time.
The prerequisite items we have mentioned so far - the DS-11, the proof of citizenship, and the color photographs - are the basic requirements in applying for a passport. In the succeeding paragraphs, we’ll now talk about the special requirements for minors under 16. Again, these documents are required to establish the identity of the parents/guardians, as well as their relationship with the applicant.
A written parental consent is needed from the parents/guardians of the applicant. There are specific guidelines for this, so it’s best that you inquire at the nearest passport office before proceeding. Also, the parent/guardian should present their ID when submitting all the required documents in person. This ID should be photocopied first and attached to the other requirements. Then, the parent/guardian must show proof of their relationship with the applicant. Finally, after all the requirements are done, they can be submitted to the passport office and person and the fees have to be made.
In summary, dealing with Children’s Passport applications is easy and straightforward. In case the parent/guardian doesn’t know what steps to follow, it helps to contact the local U.S. Passport office or the US Department of States website for more information. Asking questions beforehand is a time saver and frees everyone from any unnecessary stress.
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