When you are thinking about taking your family on a vacation to a foreign country, the possibilities are endless when thinking about the closeness and fun you all will have. There are some things you need to know before you travel to ensure that everyone will get to where they are going. Your child will need a set of travel documents that will allow them to cross into different countries. Here are some tips to help you to fill out a passport application for children before you go.

Legal Guardians Required To Be There

In order to start the process, the parents or guardians of the child will have to apply for the necessary travel documents. You will have to bring your child to the processing office when you are ready to submit the paperwork. Additionally, both parents will need to be with the child at the time you apply. If only one is able to attend, the other must get a notarized document stating that they are aware of what is going on.

It is important that both parents be present for the safety and well being of the child. There have been instances of unlawful removal of a child by one parent without the other parent knowing. In doing things this way, the issuing country can be assured that both parents are in agreement for the document to be issued and there is nothing unlawful going on.

Similar To Adult Passport Applications

The document that is used for a child to apply for a passport is almost the same as the one that is used for adults. You will be required to fill in things like their name, date of birth and other personal information. A birth certificate is also required to prove the citizenship of the child you are applying for.

Photograph Required

The same kind of photo that is required for an adult passport is also required for a child. If you go to a professional photo store, they generally know what the dimensions are for the photo that is needed. You must get two photos taken on a white background of your natural look with no hats or anything covering your face.

Picture ID Required

A parent will need to produce some sort of government photo I. D. in order to identify themselves in the presence of their child. Any item that has been issued by any type of government agency can be used to properly identify themselves to the processing officials. Some acceptable pieces of identification include a valid passport or a driver’s license.

Fees

You will have to pay a fee once you are ready to submit all of the required information. What you will need to pay for the documentation is listed on the worksheets that are included with the applications. Most places will accept cash and money orders but one should call ahead to see if personal checks are accepted.

You can find a passport application for children at any processing office in the area that you live in, or you can download them online. They are not hard to find and they are very easy to fill out. As long as both parents are present at the time of new USA passports submission or if one of them has given notarized permission for the other to be there alone, your child will be safe from harm.