Passports for our tots

[NEVE and TRISTAN]

Am I reading this website correctly that if I need to get Tristan a passport that I need to go in person?

Any advice, then it said you need an appt??


Neve
http://home.nc.rr.com/ourbabytristan
AKA "mama2be"-forgot password
and Baby Boy Tristan born @UNC
Feb 25, 2003
Brother to 3 pups "gees" and 2 kitties

[Kate888]

When we applied for Maya's passport, we went to our local post office in person and no appointment was necessary. You just need to call ahead to make sure that office has passport service (not all do). You need to go in person to prove your relation to the child, so remember to bring your ID (and other required documents and money/check book). Apply several weeks ahead, so you have time, just incase any error happened.

Edited to correct that both parents need to be there (we didn't get the forms beforehand) or you'll have to fill out a form that Flagger mentioned.

HTH :)

Kate
Mama to Maya 2-17-02 and Polo (my big black dog)http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/dog.gif


http://instagiber.net/smiliesdotcom/kao/otn/ptrose.gif

[NEVE and TRISTAN]

Kate thank you!!!!
I thought I had to drive up to DC to the passport office and the thought of that brought tears to my eyes!!!!
Thank you!!!
Neve
http://home.nc.rr.com/ourbabytristan
AKA "mama2be"-forgot password
and Baby Boy Tristan born @UNC
Feb 25, 2003
Brother to 3 pups "gees" and 2 kitties

[flagger]

Hi Neve,

We just got through doing this for Cocoa.

This site has all the information you need.

http://travel.state.gov/passport/get_first.html

You will need to have Adobe Acrobat reader (I am sure you do) to view the PDF files but here is the location for the application:

http://travel.state.gov/passport/forms_DS11.html

Both parents DO NOT have to be present as long as you have this form filled out. It is a statement of consent to issue a passport from the absent parent:

http://travel.state.gov/passport/forms_DS3053.html

Here is where you can find a list of locations near you. I had to do it by city and state as the zip code search was not working at the time:

http://iafdb.travel.state.gov/

I had Cocoa's passport photos done at Wal-mart as they were the only one that had a platform for her to sit on that was high enough for them to get the picture. We went to a post office near our house to turn in the application. The cost was $40 for the passport and $30 for an execution fee which is paid to the Postmaster for accepting the application. We mailed it on 6-14-04 and received it back from the passport office in just under three weeks on 7-3-04. Llet me know if you have any more questions.

[khakismom]

Definitely allow for extra time too. Osco did the girls' passport pics and when we turned them in, they told us that they weren't going to work. So we had to reshoot them there at the PO (they take passport pics also; it's more expensive, but then you aren't running around town trying to make sure they are the right size).

Flagger's links are awesome. Just read all the fine print, like the fact that you have to have your driver's license and baby's birth certificate, plus have all the paperwork filled out.

Good luck! :)

[stillplayswithbarbies]

the important thing to know is that you have to take Tristan with you when you apply. The other parent can fill out a form that you bring with you, Steve doesn't need to be there in person.

Logan's took about 4 weeks to get here. We had the pic taken at Costco. Most places have a way to take a baby's picture.

The site you were reading about appointments is just if you need one in a hurry. You can get one the same day you apply at those places. (if you already have travel booked within the next 2 weeks)

...Karen
Jacob Nathaniel Feb 91
Logan Elizabeth Mar 03

[muszy]

We just got a passport for DS. We had the first set of photos taken at Walgreens, but his head was too small in the photo, so had to get them retaken and come back. We went to a local photo shop that does portraits and photo finishing for the second set. Their digital camera had the head size template programmed into the screen, so we knew we got the right size.

The post office here requires an appt. You call and leave a message and they call you back to set up a time. That's the idea anyway. In our case, they took two days to call back. Our county courthouse also accepts apps on a walk-in basis. We went there and were in and out in less than 15 minutes. No problem using the consent form, so that only one parent need be present.

I agree with filling out the forms ahead of time. However, the form we printed had more dark space than the standard forms they have on hand and we were asked to fill out a new form there. At least it's just a matter of copying the fields from one form to another at that point.

You will need to give them an original, certified copy of the birth certificate with the app. They will send it back with the passport, but if you think you might need a bc for some other reason in the interim, it might be worth it to get a copy specifically for the passport app. It's been 4 weeks and we are still waiting for the passport to arrive.

[nigele]

Neve,

Just FYI, we went to the Raleigh office when we got Tom's passport and it was a pretty painless visit! Good luck.

[Melanie]

Hi Neve...just call ahead. Some places require and appointment (and paperwork picked up and filled out ahead of time), others do not. I think if you need a RUSH, then you have to go to the passport office. Also, the post office/other locations (here) charge more than the passport office...