Does a child need a passport?

tomdwannab182

The Children's Passport Issuance Alert Program

The Children's Passport Issuance Alert Program (CPIAP) is a service for the parents and legal guardians of minor children. It enables the Department of State's Office of Children's Issues to notify a parent or court ordered legal guardian before issuing a U.S. passport for his or her child. The parent, legal guardian, legal representatives, or the court of competent jurisdiction must submit a written request for entry of a child's name into the program to the Office of Children's Issues.
Passport Issuance to Children under Age 14:
As of July 2, 2001, as provided by Public Law 106-113, Section 236, both parents are required to execute the passport application for a minor child under age 14. Please refer to our flyer U.S. Passport Applications for Children Under Age 14 for further information. If you believe that your child, no matter his or her age, may be abducted internationally, immediately contact the Office of Children's Issues and inform appropriate law enforcement officials. Information regarding the issuance of a passport to a minor is available to either parent, regardless of custody rights, as long as the requesting parents' rights have not been terminated.

The Department of State's Passport Namecheck Clearance System is a system to alert you when an application for a U.S. passport is made. In order for our office to notify an objecting parent, our office will need to have in our files the parent's request and a copy of a document such as a birth certificate or court order of guardianship that shows the relationship between the child and the objecting parent. This is not a system for tracking the use of a passport. Once a passport is issued, its use is not tracked or controlled by the Department of State. There are no exit controls for American citizens leaving the United States. This system can be used to inform a parent or a court when an application for a U.S. passport is executed on behalf of a child. The alert system generally remains in effect until each child turns 18. It is very important that parents keep us informed in writing of any changes to contact information and legal representation. Failure to notify this Office of a current address may result in a passport issuance for your child without your consent.

Passports - General Information:
A passport is a travel document issued by a competent authority showing the bearer's origin, identity, and nationality, if any, which is valid for the entry of the bearer into a foreign country. (8 U.S.C 1101(30)). Under U.S. law, U.S. citizens must enter and depart the U.S. with valid U.S. passports. (8 U.S.C. 1185(b)). This requirement is waived, however, for travel from countries within the Western Hemisphere, with the exception of Cuba. (22 CFR 53.2). However, each foreign country has its own entry requirements concerning citizenship, passports and visas. Information regarding those requirements may be obtained from the appropriate foreign embassy or consulate or from our publication "Foreign Entry Requirements." These requirements, along with the addresses and telephone numbers for the foreign embassies and or consulates near you are found on the Consular Affairs Internet web page at http://www.travel.state.gov under Foreign Entry Requirements .

The Privacy Act and Passports:
Please be aware that Passport Service records are subject to the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 USC 552a). The information contained therein, if any, is considered privileged and not a public record. If a file is located, it would be available only to the subject, his legal guardian, custodian or pursuant to a court order issued by a court of competent jurisdiction. Passport information is protected by the provisions of the Privacy Act (PL 93-579) passed by Congress in 1974. Information regarding adults may be available to law enforcement officials or pursuant to a court order issued by the court of competent jurisdiction in accordance with (22 CFR 51.27).

While we make every effort to be of assistance, the Office of Children's Issues can assume no legal responsibility for the services provided.

Dual Nationality for Children:
Many children, although born in the U.S. or born abroad to a U.S. citizen parent, are citizens of both the U.S. and another country. This may occur through the child's birth abroad, through a parent who was born outside the U.S., or a parent who has acquired a second nationality through naturalization in another country. A child may acquire another nationality without the consent of the U.S. citizen parent.

Dual Nationality Flyer

The inability to obtain a U.S. passport through the Children's Passport Issuance Alert Program does not automatically prevent a dual national child from obtaining and traveling on a foreign passport. There is no requirement that foreign embassies adhere to U.S. regulations regarding issuance and denial of their passports to U.S. citizen minors who have dual nationality. If there is a possibility that the child has another nationality, you may contact the country's embassy or consulate directly to inquire about denial of that country's passport. The addresses and telephone numbers for the foreign embassy or consulate near you are found on the Consular Affairs Internet web page at http://www.travel.state.gov under Foreign Entry Requirements.

Passport records:
Parents interested in obtaining passport records of their child(ren) may submit a NOTARIZED letter to the Department of State, Research and Liaison Section, 1111 19th Street, NW, Suite 500, Washington, D.C. 20524-1705. The request must contain the full name, date and place of birth of the child(ren), address and telephone number for the requesting parent, as well as your reason for needing the information. If you are requesting a copy of the issued passport application, there is no fee. If an authenticated copy of the passport application is requested the fee is $30.00 for the first copy and $20.00 for each additional copy. The telephone number for information is 202-955-0447. The Research and Liaison Section does not accept fax requests. Please note that passport records requested from this office can take anywhere from 4-8 weeks to be completed.

For further information regarding the issuance or denial of U.S. passports to minors involved in custody disputes, or about international child abduction, please contact:

U.S. Department of State
Office of Children's Issues
SA-29, 4th floor
Washington, D.C. 20520
Phone: 202-736-7000
Fax: 202-736-9133

Jeremy C

If your child is:

Under 14
Your child must appear in person.
Both parents or legal guardians, can apply for your child.
Both parents or legal guardians consent is required for minors under age 14. 14. ( See Two-Parent Consent Requirements .)
Both parents or legal guardians must show current, valid ID.

14 to 17
Your child must appear in person.
Your parental consent may be requested.

Is it true that passport applications for minors under 14 require the consent of both parents or legal guardians?

Effective July 2, 2001, Public Law 106-113, Section 236 requires that U.S. passport applications for children under the age of 14 require both parents' or legal guardians' consent

What is the Children's Passport Issuance Alert Program (CPIAP)?

Separate from the Two-Parent Consent requirement for U.S. passport issuance for minors under the age of 14, parents may also request that their children's names be entered in the U.S. passport name-check system. The Children's Passport Issuance Alert Program provides:

Notification to parents of passport applications made on behalf of minor children, and
Denial of passport issuance if appropriate court orders are on file with CPIAP.
For more information, contact the Office of Children's Issues at 202-736-7000, or, by fax at 202-312-9743.

MBN

yes, check out this government site.

http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/minors/minors_834.html

dieter

yes you need a passport. you also need another form of photo i.d. so they can cross reference it.

FaZizzle

To travel out of country, yes. It's always best to have a passport if traveling overseas especially. HIs ex-wife was telling the truth; to take a child overseas, s/he needs the authorization of both parents and a passport.

PO'd in Portland

She won't tell anyone where she is taking your brother's child??

I'd keep an eye on her - you're brother will appreciate it. Sounds like she is up to something.

It's a good idea to have one if you plan to travel outside the country, but you can travel with a picture id and birth cert.

Leah

it's a good idea, also they last for 7 or 8 years, so it is a good investment, plus it is easier at the airport

CEGTP

Yes Compliments of 9/11 even to go to Mexico or Canada we are now required to have a Passport. And it costs a small fortune to get one.

Assault

yes

franC

yes passports are necessary for anyone travel out of the country. passports for people under 18 last for five years instead of ten and i am not sure about the price but it is quite a bit lower than an adult passport.

Lex

yes anyone who leave needs a passport..

Ece C

yes u do u have to if ur flyin to another country/state.

JR T

yes to fly to another country.

noname.....

yes u d need a passport 2 go outa country n itll be bout the standard is bout 100.00 its a gd idea 2 hav 1 if ur goin outa state 2

NoahTall

Yes.
Both parents will need to sign if the child is under 14. Read everything else you ever wanted to know about passports at the link below.
http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html
The will cost about $97 each between filing fees and processing.
.

tiemeon

If he is traveling outside the country with you, he will need a passport. If you can afford to travel, then the cost is irrelevant.

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: