Over the years, various requirements have been added in an effort to combat children abduction and trafficking. These new requirements prove to be a bit complicated for parents to acquire passports for their children. While it is definitely vital to ensure children’s safety and it is a way of protecting them, these procedures are often considered to be too stringent. To make it through the process without a hitch, start early and pay attention to the details when applying for a US childrens pasport.

Application Process

Primarily, what you need to understand is that the child has to apply personally, along with a guardian or both parents. Renewal of passports through the mail is not applicable for minors. Children below the age of 16 whose passports have expired or are about to expire should apply for renewal by filling out the form and submitting it personally at the designated center.

Form DS-11

Take note not to put your signature on the form without the approval of the agent in charge. Form DS-11 is the required application form for such a procedure. The unsigned form must be submitted to an agent at a certified passport accepting facility or at the state department. For those who are not yet 16 years old, a parental consent I. D. is needed. There is a different form for expedited American child passports.

Documentation

Both proof of U. S. Citizenship and proof of relationship with the parent or legal guardian must be presented in the form of primary or secondary documentation. A certified copy of the child’s birth or adoption certificate will do for proof of citizenship. This can be acquired from your State’s Department of Vital Records.

Proof of Relationship

To prove the child’s relationship you have to provide either a certified birth certificate that includes the names of the parents or an adoption decree complete with the adopting parents names if the child was adopted. Alternatively, a court order establishing custody or guardianship can also be supplied.

Foreign Birth

If your child was born in a foreign country, you have to present a valid birth certificate that also demonstrates the parents’ names. Additionally, copies of the parents’ identification have to be provided as evidence of their relationship with the child.

Parental Consent

Parental consent must also be provided. Providing consent means the parents must appear with the child in front of the passport agent. If only one parent can appear, there must be a notarized statement from the other. If one parent has sole legal custody this, too, must be proved either with court order documents, or a death certificate of the other parent.