A Guide to Kids Passport Applications for Minors 16-17
By Advisor. Filed in Florida |
Minors applying for a passport for the first time have special stipulations they need to fulfill in order to have their children’s passport application approved. These special requirements are fulfilled on top of the basic ones that all passport applicants need to meet. Minors who are 16-17 years old have a slightly different set of special requirements from those under 16. We’ll be dealing with the requirements of the former group, and provide you with a guide to applying for a passport for the first time.
Let’s first speak about the basic requirements. It should be stated that these are the same stipulations fulfilled even by adults applying for a passport for the first time. So, if you’re ready, then let’s proceed to the basic stipulations.
The Form DS-11 is the form that a first-time passport applicant needs to fill in. Also, it is the same passport filled in by applicants who were under 16 years old when their latest passport was issued, as well as those whose passports were issued more than 15 years ago. It should be noted that unlike other passports that can be sent through the mail, this requires submission to the passport office in person. Thus, it’s important to be careful when filling in this form and accomplishing other requirements so as to save time.
Next, you also need to submit a proof of your citizenship. There are certain documents you can submit to do this. These documents are: your birth certificate, certificate of naturalization, or certificate of citizenship. Meanwhile, those who were born outside the US can present the consular report on their birth.
Then there are also the other requirements to establish the applicant’s identity. These are the ID card to be presented at the time of the application, the photocopy of the ID card, and two recent passport photos. It should be noted that there are very specific guidelines when it comes to the photocopy and the passport pics, so if you’re unsure of what to do, inquire at your local passport office first. Once all these stipulations have been accomplished, the applicable fees may then be paid.
Now we move onto the special stipulations for applicants ages 16-17. If you are applying for a passport for the first time, you need to make a personal appearance at the passport office. You will need to do this when submitting all the requirements for your passport.
Aside from the personal appearance, the applicant should also establish parental consent. This is needed when it isn’t implied in the application of the minor. Then in case the applicant is unable to present his/her own ID, he should present that of his parent/guardian. An in place of the photocopy of the applicant’s ID, it should be that of the parent/guardian as well.
All in all, that’s what you need for passport applications for a minor if you’re 16-17 years old. Most of the new passport stipulations are the basic ones, plus a few special requirements that you actually just need in case you don’t have an ID of your own, and the parental consent wasn’t implied. These steps are easy and straightforward, so you’ll have no problems following them.
Tuesday, January 5th 2010 at 8:23 pm
Great article! Remember, too, to allow enough time for your child’s passport application to be processed. It can take 6 weeks with regular processing and 3 weeks with the government’s “expedited” service. For faster processing, check out RushMyPassport-they can process your child’s passport application in as little as 24 hours!