Tips To Renewing a Child and Teen Passport
Are your passports up to date for your next trip? Are you sure?
I know several seasoned travelers who have rushed to get their passports renewed. True story, it happened to us too! Many airlines and countries do not require passport information when you book the travel. Guess what, India does! My kids’ passports were valid at the time of booking the flights, and we knew they needed to be renewed before our travels. However, the airline would not process our tickets because their passports were expiring prior to departure. Ouch!
Note: Many countries require your passports to be valid for six-months following the departure date.
It is a little more complicated when you renew a child passport
Obtaining passports for kids and teenagers gets a little complex so here is the jist. Let’s start by being prepared. Easier said than done, right? Is your printer is low on ink? Did your driver’s license just expire? Are you or your spouse out of town for work? You both need to be present if the minor is under 16-years old. Take a deep breath because this is a PROCESS. It is also more expensive for kids’ passports since you have to pay the USPS processing fee — passports for minors cannot be renewed by mail.
Note: You have to send in your child’s original birth certificate so you won’t have it for a few weeks or more — if that matters.
FITZ BITS TIP: Make an appointment ahead of time at the US Post Office.
Before you go to the Post Office
- Fill out the DS-11 paperwork online and bring the printout with you. Select “New Passport” for your child even if renewing their passport. Do NOT sign the form until you are told to at the United States Post Office or Passport Agency.
- Many Post Offices have passport photo services for around $15. I found Costco to be the least expensive at $5.99. We sucked it up and used Walgreens and the Post Office for photos due to timing. If you go to Walgreens or CVS you should be able to find a $2 off coupon code online.
- Gather all adult and child passports.
- Gather original birth certificate for any child under 16-years old. They will mail the original birth certificate with the passport application packet and return it by mail — but separate from the new passport.
- Bring a drivers license or state ID for everyone including kids 16-18 years old.
- Make sure all licenses or IDs are NOT expired.
- Bring your checkbook. Processing fees and any photos can be put on a credit card. However you send check payment with the passports.
It took us about one hour at the local post office to renew three minor’s passports. And that included a quick trip home for our 14-year old’s original birth certificate.
First or renewed passport for any child under 16 years old
- Both parents must accompany their child to the United States Post office.
- Passport is valid for five years.
- You have to pay the USPS processing fee.
First of renewed passport and children over 16 and under 22 years old
- One parent must accompany their child to the United States Post office if their child has a valid state issued ID. If not, both parents need to be present.
- Passport is valid for ten years.
- You have to pay the USPS processing fee.
And, drum roll please….once your 16+ year old gets this passport it is valid for ten years and they can renew it by mail in the future.
How long did it take for our kids passports?
We received the new passports just three weeks after sending in all of the paperwork. You can watch the progress online and sign up for email updates. It took just three days following the notification that they were approved and being printed.
We received a second set of envelopes in the mail with their old passports and birth certificate (if under 16 years old) two days after the new passports arrived.
And, now we are going to Morocco instead of India because the India airfare increased beyond my budget!
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