Information Regarding Children Passports For Those Under 16

When applying for a US passport, children and adults have the same set of basic requirements. This includes the form they fill in and some of the documents they submit. However, children's passport applications have slightly different requirements apart from the basic ones. These requirements are needed in order to establish the identity of the parents or guardians of the minor, plus the relationship between the minor and the parent/guardian.

There are also some minor differences when it comes to the special requirements of minors under 16 years old, and those who are 16-17. In this article, we'll be talking about the requirements of those who are under 16. This category includes newborns and infants.

The DS-11 is the most basic requirement that applicants need to accomplish. This is the form that is required to be filled in by everyone applying for a passport for the first time. When filling in this application form, the parents or guardians of the applicant should assist the applicant to ensure everything is filled in correctly.

Applicants must also establish their citizenship when applying for a passport. There are several documents they can use for this requirement. When submitting their passport applications, they can submit any of the following US-issued documents: their birth certificate, certificate of citizenship, naturalization certificate, or if they were born abroad, the consular report about their birth.

The passport applicant also needs to submit two recent color photographs that will be attached to the DS-11. Take note, however, that the US Department of State has very specific guidelines when it comes to passport photos. Make sure you are familiar with these guidelines before having the applicant's picture taken.

The prerequisite items we have mentioned so far - the DS-11, the proof of citizenship, and the color photographs - are the basic requirements in applying for a passport. In the succeeding paragraphs, we'll now talk about the special requirements for minors under 16. Again, these documents are required to establish the identity of the parents/guardians, as well as their relationship with the applicant.

First of these special requirements is the written parental consent. Make sure, however, you check out the specific requirements regarding this before proceeding. The parent or the guardian should also present an ID when submitting all these documents to the passport office. Plus, the ID should be photocopied and attached with the other requirements. Then finally, the parent or the guardian should also show proof of their relationship with the applicant. Once all of these basic and special requirements are accomplished, the fees for processing the passport can already be made.

All in all, the steps on children's passport applications are very straightforward and easy enough to follow. What's important is that the parent or guardian try to find out beforehand what the specific requirements are. This saves them a lot of time and ensures that they will have a hassle-free passport application.