PASSPORTS! That was the first thing on my mind last week. I have to get the kids their passports for this trip. We've known for some time now that we were going to visit my husband's brother and his family to welcome their new baby into the world. But here we are, with no passports for the kids. Wait, where are our passports? The ones that haven't seen the light of day since we came back from, could it possibly be??? Our honeymoon? No, we fly to Provence when I was preggers with Liam, but that was almost four years ago!
I am happy to report that we have indeed applied for our passports and it was very easy!
The first place I looked was on the State Department Web site
http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/minors/minors_834.html
You will need the original of your child's birth certificate with both parent's names listed and identification for yourself to prove that they are your children. We used our passports--I found them! It is much easier to apply for a passport if both parents go in person to either the State Department or as we did, a post office designated to process passports. Some post offices have special appointments, others have special times. Be sure to contact your local office for more information. There are special forms that must be filled out and can be downloaded from the State Department site above or at this link http://travel.state.gov/passport/forms/ds11/ds11_842.html
You can either print and fill out or type the information in and then print. Whoo Hoo!
Also, if both parents cannot apply in person, then there are other forms that must be also filled out for permission-Submit the second parents' notarized Statement of Consent
As complicated as this all sounds, we were in and out with the passports submitted in less than an hour and they took the pictures there for us for a $25 fee each. Keep in mind, with expedited service, the passport application process, including the pictures was over $300. It is $105 each without pictures for regular processing times and an additional $60 to expedite the service. The postal worker who helped us was wonderful and let us know that the passports have been coming in within three weeks, but we didn't want to chance it because it states clearly to expect 4-6 weeks.
One note, they will take your child's birth certificate and mail it back with your passport. AND make sure your child is not wearing any clothes with logos, etc. In fact, let me copy the info on the requirement for pictures.
Your Photographs Must Be:
Identical
In color
2 x 2 inches in size
Taken within the past 6 months, showing current appearance
Full face, front view with a plain white or off-white background
Between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head
Taken in normal street attire:
Uniforms should not be worn in photographs except religious attire that is worn daily
Do not wear a hat or headgear that obscures the hair or hairline
If you normally wear prescription glasses, a hearing device, wig or similar articles, they should be worn for your picture
Dark glasses or nonprescription glasses with tinted lenses are not acceptable unless you need them for medical reasons (a medical certificate may be required)
NOTES:
Vending machine photos are not generally acceptable
Professional photographers, see Guidelines for Producing High Quality Photographs for U.S. Travel Documents
I am still waiting to get them--so keep your fingers crossed for me, but both kiddos smiled beautifully and I will be so proud to present them with their fabulous pictures and say we are from the U S of A!
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