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We're gearing up for the next leg of our Epic Expedition traveling from Alaska to Argentina with our five kids in our veggie powered truck.
We'll be crossing into Mexico then Belize, Guatemala, etc. We suddenly remembered the other day that - "Oh yeah, we need a passport for Atlas!"
His birth certificate was all that was needed to drive through Canada. So we planned to wait until we got to Utah to apply for his U.S. passport.
So as I'm going through that process now, I thought I share it here with you.
(NOTE: If you need a passport in less than 4 weeks, you'' need to make an appointment with the National Passport Information Center )
First of all, since this is your first time, or you are applying for a child (under the age of 16), you MUST apply IN PERSON for a passport.
For your child's passport, follow these steps. You'll need on hand the Social Security Number:
- Print and fill out (or pick up from your local post office) Form DS-11: Application for a U.S. Passport You can fill out the application online, and then print it out, or just print itand fill it out by hand.
IMPORTANT - Do not sign the form until you are asked to do so by the 'acceptance agent' when you turn it in. Also, if you don't include the social security number, the application may be delayed. - Provide a passport photo - this can be the tricky part, especially with a baby. You can take your child to get their photo taken (many places offer this service, sometimes even the post office) or you can take your photo yourself (which I usually do). You just have to make sure that the dimensions of the photo are acceptable.
- Submit the form at an acceptance facility or a passport agency. BOTH PARENTS or guardians must be present for a minor child's application. While there you will:
- Submit proof of citizenship (most likely birth certificate).
- Submit proof of parental/guardian relationship (birth certificate again, or adoption decree, court order, etc.)
- Submit adult identification (parents must show their i.d.- driver's license, passport, etc.)
- Provide a photocopy of adult identification (have it ready to take with you, it will save time)
- Provide parental consent (this is done by appearing together at the passport agency and signing the application when they ask you to)
- Pay the application fee (currently $95 for passport book and card, or $80 for the book and $15 for the passport card. The passport card is valid in Canada, Mexico, the Bahamas and Bermuda.
It's that easy! Within 5-7 days of applying, you will be able to check the status of your application online. Processing times can vary, but the US Gov suggest expediting the application if you are traveling in less than 10 weeks.
Happy Travels! Where will you be taking your kids?
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Good information! We got passports for our kids when they were really young (3 years old). One good piece of information is that you don’t have to make your young child sign them in crayon. The parent can sign on behalf of the child. Just sign the child’s name then “by” then your name and your relationship to the child.