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Getting your child his or her first passport is a detailed task. At one time, traveling to Mexico, Canada or the Caribbean required nothing more than a birth certificate and photo ID. Today, a passport is required for anyone traveling out of the country, leeds hotels including infants. As you begin the passport process, here's what you'll need to know:
Applying for a Passport To apply for a passport for the first time, children must appear in person with both parents or guardians. You may visit a local passport agency, your local post office municipal/town/county government offices leeds hotels and possibly your local library. While government agencies may accept walk-in applicants, some require appointments and do not handle passports at all times or even all days. Your best bet is to make an appointment in advance. If you require a passport quickly, you may schedule an appointment at a passport agency. leeds hotels These are only available if you need a passport in less than two weeks or within four weeks to obtain leeds hotels a foreign visa.
And yes, you read correctly above: BOTH parents must accompany the child. If it's too difficult leeds hotels for both parents to attend, particularly if they are divorced and one has sole legal custody, you will need to bring a notarized DS-3053 form (see links below to find forms), which states leeds hotels that the parent not present consents to the child receiving a passport. This form is only valid for three months. If you are divorced, you will also need to bring in the court order that grants you the legal guardian. If your spouse is deceased, you can bring a copy of the death certificate verifying why you are applying alone. If, for any reason, you cannot bring in any or all of the documentation mentioned, you will need to complete and bring in the DS-3053 form stating why you cannot get consent. Sometimes, a court order may grant travel with the child, in which case that will need to be brought in as well.
You will also need to bring in a copy of the child's birth certificate leeds hotels or adoption decree (if applicable). If your child was born in another country, you will need to bring in the consular report of birth abroad (Form FS-240) or certificate of birth abroad (Form DS-1350). leeds hotels The birth certificate has to be an official birth certificate, not a copy, or it will not be accepted. Both parents also need to provide a copy of both sides of their driver's licenses. If one parent isn't present, a copy needs to be brought in with with accompanying parent.
Now that you've gathered all the documents illustrating who your child is and that you are the parent/guardian, you can complete form DS-11, which provides all the information that will be used on your child's passport.
What to Expect leeds hotels at the Appointment At your appointment, the clerk will double-check that you have all the forms and identification required. (And believe me, they will send you on your way should you not!) They will then take a passport photo of your child, which will likely cost an extra fee. You may obtain a passport leeds hotels photo from a number of authorized locations, such as a Walmart or CVS, and bring them in with you, should you choose. They must be in color, 2x2 inches in size, with the head between 1 and 1 3/8 inches from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head, taken in front of a white or off-white background, without leeds hotels hats, and taken within the last six months.
Once all forms have been submitted and signed, you will have a number of fees to submit. If you are obtaining a passport for more than one child, you will need to submit one check per child. The application fee for children under the age of 16 is $80. The post office and other facilities may also charge a processing leeds hotels fee. You should be applying for a passport within at least six weeks of your scheduled trip. It typically takes two to three weeks to receive a passport, but it is not guaranteed. Should you have less than six weeks, it is recommended you select Expedited leeds hotels Service, which is an additional $60 per child. The federal leeds hotels government also suggests you select overnight delivery for your passport to be sent, which costs an additional $12.72.
Special Information Passports for children are valid for five years, until the age of 16, after which they are valid for the standard 10 years. When renewing a passport for a child, you will have to again appear in person, following the original procedures. Only when a child is 16 and older will they be able to renew a passport via mail.
If your child undergoes a name change and requires a new passport, you will have two options: If it was due to a marriage and the original leeds hotels passport is less than one year old, you can mail in the former passport with a DS-5504 name change form, an original copy of the government document stating the name change, and a new passport photo. There will not be a fee, unless requesting expedited service. If the passport is more than a year old, however, you will have to appear in person again and begin the process anew, including all forms and fees, as well as bringing three public records showing the child's assumed name.
If you travel quite a bit and require more pages to be added to a valid passport, you may request one for an $82 fee, as well as submitting the passport along with Form DS-4085. It is recommended you do this when there are less than four Visa pages remaining in the passport.
10 Best Orlando Resorts for Families So many hotels and resorts to choose from! Which ones really are the best for families in terms of theme-park access, amenities, and accommodations? Here are our favorites in the Orlando area!
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