| Laws regarding obtaining a passport for kids are | | | | abduction by unauthorized parents, a law was passed |
| more complicated than obtaining one for an adult. A | | | | in 2001 called the two-parent consent law. Under this |
| child (minor) is considered anyone under the age of | | | | law, both parents or guardians must sign for a child |
| 18 and unmarried. Their passport is only good for five | | | | to receive this document. They both must present |
| years compared to ten years for an adult. Because | | | | proof that they are the actual parents. Under some |
| of problems over child custody, which resulted in | | | | circumstances, there are other arrangements. |
| children being taken out of the country without a | | | | The exceptions to the law, allowing one parent to |
| parents consent, strict laws have been passed | | | | sign the application, are quite vast, but strictly |
| regarding issuing children's' passports. | | | | enforced. Such things as proof of sole custody, |
| A child must be present and accompanied by a | | | | courts orders and others are accepted. The child's |
| parent or parents when applying for this document. | | | | birth certificate and other documentation must be |
| An authorized person can also accompany them if | | | | presented. |
| the parents are not present. This person must | | | | Children under the ages of 16 and 17 must be |
| provide proof that she or he is legally certified to be | | | | present to apply for a passport; they cannot apply |
| their representative. The application must be made to | | | | over the Internet. They must be accompanied by |
| an acceptance agent. The acceptance agents are the | | | | one or both parents and the same two-parent law is |
| post office, the municipal clerk, or county clerk's | | | | enacted. If they are adopted, the adoptive parents |
| office. All children, from birth, must have a passport if | | | | must bring proof of guardianship. Guardians such as |
| traveling out of the country. | | | | grandparents are allowed to sign, but only if they |
| Sometimes people are employed overseas or are | | | | have the papers to prove it. |
| vacationing when a child is born. That child cannot | | | | The law is quite specific when there is a custody |
| stay in that country nor return to the United States | | | | problem with children. A state court has the authority |
| with their parents without a passport. In such a case, | | | | to take and hold a child's passport if there is a threat |
| the parents have to apply at a US Embassy or | | | | that they might be removed from the country. In |
| Consulate to put in an application for the document. | | | | addition, a parent may request an Alert Program to |
| The basic requirements are the same, including the | | | | inform them if any application is made for a passport |
| parents' identification as citizens. | | | | for the child. |
| Because of some well publicized instances of child | | | | |