Obtaining a passport for a minor can be an extremely tough task for any parent. With new laws to prevent child abduction and trafficking, passport renewal by mail is simply not an option. Parents should begin the application process early since it can take up to six weeks, three if the parent wishes to obtain the document sooner.
When applying for a minor's passport, both parents and the child are required to be present at the passport agency. Furthermore, any forms must be filled out and signed in the presence of an agent. Parents must also come to the agency with proper documentation, such as birth certificates and/or certificate of citizenship.
Proof of parental relationship to the minor must be submitted with the application. The agents will like to see proof of identity, preferably identification that was issued in the United States. If the name of the parent does not appear on the birth certificate then either proof of custody or adoption needs to be presented.
There are few instances where a single parent will not need to provide a notarized letter of consent because it is impossible to attain. An agent will then expect to see a death certificate of the non-applying parent. If the non-applying parent is still living then an agent will ask for a court ordered declaration of incompetence for that parent.
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.
Parents of children in special circumstances will endure a very difficult process. The government understand that there are cases where one parent disappears or suddenly decides to no longer acknowledge a child. There is very little that can be done in these situations. Agent will only allow the renewal if the missing parent had been deported and proof of deportation is obtained.
There are very rare cases where passport renewal by a minor can be done without the consent of any parent. Children in this situation have been legally emancipated from their parents and are then seen as adults in the law. An emancipated minor will simply have to provide court documentation at the time he/she wishes to apply.
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