Because of incidents where children were abducted by a parent and taken overseas, the laws regarding obtaining a passports for minors are quite strict. The law reads that “an adult acting on a child’s behalf, comply with all applicable requirements”. While an adult’s passport is good for ten years, a minor’s passport is only valid for five years. A child (minor) is defined as an unmarried person under the age of eighteen.

No passport will be issued for a child unless they appear in person when the application is made. Their parents or an authorized representative must accompany them. The application can only be made to an acceptance agent who is located in a post office, county or municipal clerk’s office. All children must have a passport, regardless of age.

Sometimes people are employed overseas or are vacationing when a child is born. That child cannot stay in that country nor return to the United States with their parents without a passport. In such a case, the parents have to apply at a US Embassy or Consulate to put in an application for the document. The basic requirements are the same, including the parents’ identification as citizens.

In 2001 a law was passed called the two-parent consent law. This was due to the rash of parents taking children out of the country when they had no authority to do so. It is now required that both parents be present and sign the application papers for the child. Proof must be presented that they are the real parents or guardians.

If one parent applies for the child’s passport, they must have proof of authorization to do so or have a notarized statement from the other parent that they agree with the application. Other exceptions are court orders, proof of termination of parental rights and others. The parent applying for the child’s passport must prove their identity and show the child’s birth certificate with the parents’ names.

Children under the ages of 16 and 17 must be present to apply for a passport; they cannot apply over the Internet. They must be accompanied by one or both parents and the same two-parent law is enacted. If they are adopted, the adoptive parents must bring proof of guardianship. Guardians such as grandparents are allowed to sign, but only if they have the papers to prove it.

The law is quite specific when there is a custody problem with children. A state court has the authority to take and hold a child’s passport if there is a threat that they might be removed from the country. In addition, a parent may request an Alert Program to inform them if any application is made for a passport for the child.

Getting a passport for minors is much more complicated than getting one for an adult. The acceptance agents will not take the application unless all the necessary documents are present. The child’s naturalization or natural birth certificate, pictures taken by a passport application forms photographer, proof of parental relationship and any of the exceptions of the two-parent law.