Requirements For A U.S Passport For A Minor

 We are going to be going out of the country later this year and needed to get the Baby a passport. Anyone under the age of 16 is required to have a passport when leaving the U.S. I wanted to share what I did so anyone else interested is prepared. When traveling within the U.S, all you need is a copy of the Minor's Birth Certificate.

A minor passport is only valid for 5 years thus it costs 80.00 rather than the 110.00-140.00 that a normal passport costs.

What you need to apply for a minor's passport:

1. Drivers License
2. Birth Certificate
3. Passport Photo
4. Application Forms
5. Passport Fees

• You must have your drivers license and BOTH parents present in order for the child to receive the passport. If one parent/guardian is unable to appear in person, then an application must be accompanied by a signed, notarized form from the non-applying parent/guardian.
• Bring the actual Birth Certificate. It has both parents names on it and verifies U.S citizenship.
• Bring an official passport photo.
• Have the application that you filled out, printed. (Link below)
• You not only pay the 80.00, there is a separate 25.00 filing fee. Bring a check or money order. They cannot accept credit card or cash because they send it out. This was a reason a lot of people left the line when we were there. Be prepared!

What I did was fill out the Online Passport Application. Don't forget to print it and bring it with you. It saves a lot of time!

After that, we went to CVS to take a passport photo for him. It costs around 12.00. I heard it is only around 5.00 at Costco so if you have the time and patience, head there instead.

Lastly, we headed to the Post Office in our city. (No, we didn't make an appointment.) They had a pretty long line so give yourself enough time.

When it is your turn, they have you sign papers and you take an oath that everything is correct. They then collect the fees and send it in for you and the passport should arrive within 4-6 weeks.

Bon Voyage!