When you’re applying for an emergency passport, time is of the essence and you can’t afford any delays. So, it’s important to make sure that you have everything you need to present to the passport office the first time around.
When you apply for an emergency passport for your children, there are additional documentation requirements that you need to be aware of. Not having the appropriate documents in hand means that your child’s passport application could be denied. Here’s what you need to know:
Applying in Person
Children under the age of 16 must apply for their passports in person, either at a passport acceptance facility like a post office or at a Regional Passport Agency office.
Required Documents
To apply for a passport for your child, you’ll need his or her certified US birth certificate, Consular Report of Birth Abroad, previous passport or Certificate of Citizenship.
You’ll also need to present your own driver’s license or other government-issued photo ID, along with evidence of your relationship to the child. This can include:
Certified birth certificate (US or foreign)
Court order
Adoption decree
Ideally, both parents will accompany the child to the passport office with their identification and proof of relationship.
However, if both parents can’t go, one parent can take the child along with notarized proof of consent of the other parent.
Single parents can bring documents showing that they have sole custody, such as a court order, death certificate of the other parent, or a birth certificate or adoption decree with only that parents’ name on it.
2 passport photos of the child are also required.
Fees
Fees for a child passport are currently $ 80 for the passport book plus a $ 25 execution fee. Check before going down to the emergency passport office to confirm amounts and see what payment methods they’ll take.
Alison Kroulek is a freelance writer and blogger with a focus on the travel industry.
