The entire passport process can often be confusing, so here are a few particulars you should know before you apply for a passport for your child. If you already have your passport, you may want to brush up on your passport knowledge.

Prepare the paperwork: Here is a list of what you need to apply for a child’s passport: evidence of U.S. citizenship; evidence of parental relationship; photo identification; parental consent; passport photo; application forms and passport fees.

Submit in person: Passport applications for children under age 16, who have or have not had a passport in the past, must be submitted in person at a passport agency or authorized passport application acceptance facility. You must bring your child with you and either parents or both guardians must be there too.  If that’s not possible than you need to check the Department of State’s website for documents to bring for validation.

Check the dates: Did you know that passports for children under 16 are only good for five years? A common mistake parents make when checking valid passport dates is they check their own and assume the kids are still good too. Adult passports expire in 10 years, while the children’s expire in five. This is because they grow and change more often, so photos need to be updated. Make sure you check your child’s passport before planning your trip.

Keep it safe: The last thing you need is to misplace a passport when you need it. You can use a money belt or a pouch that goes under your clothes, out of sight. Make copies of it and leave the copies with family back home just in case you have to replace. While you are traveling, put one copy in one piece of luggage and another copy in another piece of luggage.

Jody’s Travel Inc

If you lose your passport or it’s stolen, call the U.S. Department of State at (877) 487-2778 or (888-874-7793 for TTY). Complete a Statement Regarding a Lost of Stolen U.S. Passport Book And/Or Card (Form DS-64), sign the statement, and mail it to the address on the form.