Did you know that a child passport is only good for five years? Adult passports are valid for ten years, so it’s all too common for families to forget to renew their children’s passports when they expire. If your child has a passport, do yourself a favor and go check the expiration date. Has it expired already? Is it going to expire in the next six months? If so, you’ll need to get it replaced before traveling. Here’s how to renew a child passport. Show
How to Renew a Child PassportSo, how do you renew a child passport? That’s actually a trick question. You’re only eligible to use passport renewal form DS-82 if you got your last passport after you turned 16. You can replace your child’s expired passport with a new passport, but you’ll have to go to a passport office in person to apply. The procedure to renew a child passport is slightly different depending on whether or not your child is under the age of 16. Step 1: Gather your documentsHere’s what you need to renew a child passport if your child is under 16:
If Your Child is 16-17 The application process is slightly different for 16 and 17-year-old applicants, even though they are technically still minors. The adult passport with ten-year validity is issued to everyone aged 16 and older. Here’s what you need to get your teen’s passport renewed before they flee the nest:
Step 2: Find a passport office.Most people apply at a post office, but there are often passport offices in libraries and local government buildings, as well. Use this tool from the Department of State for a complete list of passport offices near you. At the passport office, you’ll meet with a passport acceptance agent who will review your documents, take your payment, and watch you sign the application form. Then, they’ll send the completed application to the Department of State for processing. Step 3: Pay the application fee.Passport government fees vary depending on the age and speed desired for the passport. Here’s what you’ll pay for a child under 16:
For children over 16:
Now, all you have to do is wait. How to Expedite a Child PassportIf you apply at a post office, routine processing can take up to 10 weeks for regular service and up to 8 weeks for expedited service. But what if you need it sooner than that? You have two options: find the nearest regional passport agency, or use a private passport expediting service. Both options can get your child a shiny new passport quickly. A private passport expediting company like RushMyPassport is often a more convenient option for faster service. A regional passport agency will require a visit to your nearest location and an appointment is often required. As a result, you may have to miss work, school or extracurricular activities to get your child to the office at the scheduled time. With a private expediting company, there’s no need for any of that. By express shipping your child’s documents to an expediting company after being verified at the post office, his or her passport application can be processed in as little as one week. What do you need for a child's passport collection?For collection of your child's passport, please bring:
Your child's original birth certificate; Your child's current passport (if any); AND. Consenting parent's digital / physical IC OR valid passport. (SAF11B/ Home Team National Service IC/IC slip are not accepted)
When can I renew my US passport for a minor?Renew your passport approximately nine months before it expires. Check the expiration date because certain countries require passports to remain valid for up to six months after travel.
Do both parents need to be present for child passport in USA?Both parents/guardians must authorize the issuance of the child's passport. The best way to do this is for both parents/guardians to go with the child in person to apply for the passport. What if both parents/guardians cannot appear in person? You must submit evidence of this with the application.
How do I get a passport for my child if the father is not around?Parents can apply for a passport for their child without the other parent's consent if you can demonstrate there is an emergency or special circumstances why the other parent cannot sign the consent form, or where you as the applying parent can prove you have sole custody of the child.
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