Cheap flights to South Korea from Philadelphia and New York have increased the opportunities for families to take a vacation or visit relatives in Asia. At the same time, overseas travel with children brings its own checklist of things to do to ensure that families can travel safely and enjoy their travel with minimum headaches. The following are some major issues that, when addressed, will make the process go much more smoothly.
Unlike adults, children can grow out of clothes quickly in just a few years. The same is true of facial features. That’s why the State Department requires children’s passports to be renewed much more frequently. While adults over age 16 can renew every 10 years, children must renew theirs every five years.
In addition, while many travelers can renew U.S. passports by mail, minors under age 16 must appear in person. Additional necessary documentation includes:
- Form DS-11 which is the standard passport application form.
- Evidence that the child is a U.S. citizen including a certified birth certificate or a prior passport.
- Proof of the relationship between the child and parents or legal guardian, which can be the same birth certificate if both parents are named, an adoption decree or court orders establishing guardianship.
- Identification of parents that can be in the form of a valid license, previously issued passport or current government or military ID.
- Photocopies of documentation from step four to be provided to State Department officials.
- Consent of parents either by appearing for the application or forms signed by guardians who are unable to appear in person.
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