The most important rule that parents should adhere to when it comes to the passport renewal of a minor is early application. Parents are often surprised when they learn that they have to do more than just send an application in the mail. With new child laws passed, parents must be prepared to provide the necessary paperwork before receiving the passport.
United States law requires both parents and the minor to be present at the proper agency when applying. A DS-11 form must be completed and signed in the presence of an agent. Parents should be prepared to have proof of citizenship of the child. Proof can be in a form of a United States birth certificate if the child was born in the United States. If the child was born in a foreign country then parents must provide a certificate of birth abroad along with a certificate of US citizenship or naturalization.
The process will also involve proof of relationship the child has with the applying parents. The child's birth certificate must contain the names of both parents that are applying. The names must also appear on the certificate of citizenship or naturalization. Along with those documents, valid identification in the form of a driver's license is necessary.
Parents of children living in different familial situations may find the process extremely difficult. Individuals that do not have proof of sole custody must obtain a letter of consent from the non-applying parent. A consent is not needed in cases where the other parent is dead or incompetent, however agents at the office will ask for a copy of a death certificate or a declared court order of incompetence.
A letter of notarized consent will not be asked for if only one name appears on the child's birth certificate. The agent will assume that the father is unknown and any information unattainable. Consents may not be needed during the wait of custodial arrangements. In those situations the parent must ask the court to allow the renewal. If the court will not allow it then the parent must wait until the court grants him/her custody of the minor.
Other problems can arise for children in special circumstances. In cases where the other parent can not be located or refuses to give notarized consent can prevent the applying parent from renewing the passport. Only in cases where one of the parent has been deported will notarized consent not be needed.
In very rare cases where the minor has been emancipated from his/her parents, passport renewal will not be a problem. The minor in this situation will apply as an adult and will be treated as one. Emancipated minors will have to show proof of emancipation at the time of applying.
United States law requires both parents and the minor to be present at the proper agency when applying. A DS-11 form must be completed and signed in the presence of an agent. Parents should be prepared to have proof of citizenship of the child. Proof can be in a form of a United States birth certificate if the child was born in the United States. If the child was born in a foreign country then parents must provide a certificate of birth abroad along with a certificate of US citizenship or naturalization.
The process will also involve proof of relationship the child has with the applying parents. The child's birth certificate must contain the names of both parents that are applying. The names must also appear on the certificate of citizenship or naturalization. Along with those documents, valid identification in the form of a driver's license is necessary.
Parents of children living in different familial situations may find the process extremely difficult. Individuals that do not have proof of sole custody must obtain a letter of consent from the non-applying parent. A consent is not needed in cases where the other parent is dead or incompetent, however agents at the office will ask for a copy of a death certificate or a declared court order of incompetence.
A letter of notarized consent will not be asked for if only one name appears on the child's birth certificate. The agent will assume that the father is unknown and any information unattainable. Consents may not be needed during the wait of custodial arrangements. In those situations the parent must ask the court to allow the renewal. If the court will not allow it then the parent must wait until the court grants him/her custody of the minor.
Other problems can arise for children in special circumstances. In cases where the other parent can not be located or refuses to give notarized consent can prevent the applying parent from renewing the passport. Only in cases where one of the parent has been deported will notarized consent not be needed.
In very rare cases where the minor has been emancipated from his/her parents, passport renewal will not be a problem. The minor in this situation will apply as an adult and will be treated as one. Emancipated minors will have to show proof of emancipation at the time of applying.
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