Children’s Passport Applications – It’s Not Hard
Unlike adult passport applicants, children have special passport requirements that will have to be accomplished on top of the regular passport application process. According to the United States Department of State, children are those who are under the age of 18. Meanwhile, children 16 to -17 years old have different special requirements from those required of those under 16.
Applicants under 16 years of age include those applicants who are newborns or infants. Once again, these applicants need to meet the special requirements set by the US Department of State.
The DS-11 form is the most basic among these requirements. This is a standard form filled in by anyone who is applying for a passport for the first time. To make it convenient for the applicant and their parents, this type of form can be downloaded from the website of the US Department of State. The applicant, with the help of a parent or guardian, can then fill in this form on the computer, or print it out first then fill it in by hand.
Aside from the DS-11, applicants will also be required to submit a proof of their citizenship. To accomplish this, you must present any of the following as proof of US citizenship: a previously issued passport that’s in good condition, a certified birth certificate, a consular report in case the child was born in another country, a certificate of naturalization, or a certificate of citizenship. Any of these documents will prove the child’s citizenship.
Meanwhile, the parents or guardians of the applicants will also need to present other documents. The first one would be the document that establishes the relationship of the applicant with his parent or guardian. The parent or guardian’s ID, as well as a photocopy of it, will also be required.
Because this is about the application of passports for minors, there should also be a written parental consent along with the other required documents. There are different procedures for different types of parents and guardians (e.g. if both parents are around, if one is a single parent, etc.). If you are a parent or guardian of the passport applicant, you should check out under which category you fall under, and be guided with the right procedure.
The applicants will also be required to submit two copies of their photographs. Their parents/guardians should be guided accordingly regarding the guidelines on the right type of photograph needed. Passport offices strictly enforce these guidelines so you should make sure you didn’t miss any detail. There will also be a fee to be paid for this application. Check out the current fees for application of passports. Once these documents are complete, they can then be submitted to the local passport office.
If it’s about knowing where to go for child’s passport applications that you want to know about, all you need to do is visit your local passport office. They will assist you with your application, from providing you with information on how to get started, to making sure that you have accomplished all the special requirements that are need for child passport applications. With their help, applying for a passport for minors will be a lot easier and free from stress.