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If you have a child for whom you need to acquire a minors passport, it is important to know what the regulations are regarding this. Children of any age, even newborns, must have their own passports. In addition, for children of the age 16 and 17, there are additional requirements.

Children under the age of 16 must apply for their passports in person, accompanied by both of their parents/guardians. Proof of U. S. Citizenship must be supplied and will be returned. Acceptable proof includes a previous and undamaged U. S. Passport, official proof of birth or citizenship in the U. S. A social security number must also be provided.

The accompanying parents or guardians need to prove the relationship they have to the child applicant. This proof may be in the form of a foreign or U. S. birth certificate, a decree of adoption, or a court order that establishes guardianship or custody.

If any furnished documents are in another language, they must be translated. It can be formally or informally translated. Both original and English translation must be submitted with the passport application.

Previous U. S. passports cannot be used as proof that parent and child are related. If one of the parents or guardians has had a name change since original documents were issued, proof of that legal name change must also be provided. An example of proof for a name change would be a certificate of marriage. Both parents or guardians must also show valid identification such as: a U. S. Passport that is undamaged, a naturalization certificate, a government or military ID, or a driver’s license.

For a minor below the age of 16 to get a passport, both parents must consent. Therefore, both must appear with the minor at the time of application. If both cannot appear, one must appear and sign the form in front of an agent while submitting the other parent’s Statement of Consent which has been notarized. Note that this must be consent form must be dated within the last three months.

If complete custody is with only one parent, that parent must go with the minor to the passport agency and sign the form before the agent. Proof of sole authority must also be furnished. This can be a birth certificate or consular report of birth abroad, which lists only the one name. Alternative proof may be an adoption decree, a court order, an incompetence declaration, or a death certificate.

If necessary, a third party may apply for the minor’s passport. This person must appear with a notarized statement from both parents or guardians. If there is only one parent or guardian, proof of sole custody must also be furnished.

Besides the application and evidence for identification, custody, and relationship, you must supply two photos and pay a fee. If the child is between 16 and 18, he or she will also need to show a photo id. If none is available, the photo identification of the parents or guardians can be substituted. Whichever is used, a copy must also be submitted with the application. As with any United States passport, a kids passport should be applied for before it is a necessity.

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