A passport is required for international travel and proves citizenship and residency. Child passports have stricter requirements, including both parents being present or providing a notarized letter of consent. Documents proving residency and identity are necessary, and expedited services are available for a fee.
A passport is a document that proves a person’s citizenship and residency. This document is required for anyone traveling outside of their home country and must be presented upon request to the authorities while in other countries. All citizens must have a passport when travelling, regardless of the person’s age. A child passport is one that has been issued to a very young child for the purpose of travel to other countries.
Each country has its own requirements for issuing passports, including those issued to children. In the US, the requirements have gotten much stricter over the years. In the case of a child passport, a major concern is that a parent might obtain a passport and leave the country with the child without the other parent’s knowledge and consent. To prevent such problems, there are several requirements that affect obtaining a passport for children.
First-time US passports, including child passports, are no longer requested in the mail. Those wanting a passport must apply in person at a passport office. If the applicant is a minor, both parents must be present with the child to apply.
In some cases, a notarized letter of consent from a parent who is unable to attend will be accepted. If there is only one parent, that parent must bring proof that he or she is the only parent. The parents must be able to document their relationship with the child, for example by putting their names on the birth certificate, and bring proof of identity.
When traveling to a passport office or other facility to apply for a child passport, it is important to bring documents to prove residency, as well as personal identification. Birth certificates and other official documents must be certified copies, bearing the official stamp or seal of the relevant government agency. A completed passport application form and payment must accompany these documents to complete the application process.
Once the application process is completed and all documents accepted and verified, the government will issue the passport. The child’s passport will arrive in the post in about six weeks. If a passport is required more quickly, parents can go to a regional passport office instead of a passport reception office to apply. For an expedited service fee, parents can receive a child passport within two weeks of the application date.
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