Renewing a passport for your kiddo can feel like an overwhelming task when you’re already juggling a million other parental responsibilities. Between chasing them around, packing lunchboxes, and maintaining some semblance of sanity, who has time to figure out all the hoops to jump through for passport renewals?
Take a deep breath, mama and papa bears. This guide is going to break down the whole passport renewal process for minors in a way that (hopefully) won’t have you tearing your hair out. We’ll cover all the requirements, tips for making it go smoothly, and what to expect every step of the way.
By the time you’ve reached the end, you’ll be a passport renewal ninja for kids – and ready to get your adventurous little one’s paperwork in order for those family vacations. Let’s dive in!
Know If Your Child Qualifies for Renewal
The very first question you need to ask: is your minor’s existing passport actually eligible for renewal? Not all of them make the cut, even if it’s not expired yet.
Passports for minors (under 16 years old) are only valid for 5 years instead of the full 10. That means you’ll likely need to renew them more frequently than your own adult passport.
Here are the key criteria that make a minor eligible for passport renewal:
- The passport was issued when the child was under 16.
- It’s been less than 5 years since the issue date printed inside.
- The passport is not damaged, lost, stolen or canceled.
If your child meets those qualifications, you can proceed with the DS-82 renewal form. If not, you’ll have to start from scratch with a whole new DS-11 passport application and updated photos/documents.
Pro tip: your child’s passport is also not renewable if it required a “full evidence of U.S. citizenship” when you first applied due to some bureaucratic hang-up. In that case, better mosey on over to the DS-11 as well.
Get Ready for Lots of Documents
Applying for a child’s first passport is already a mountain of paperwork. Unfortunately, the DS-82 minor passport renewal process isn’t much simpler. You’ll need to provide copies of several key documents to prove your child’s U.S. citizenship and your own relationship as parent/legal guardian.
Some of the additional forms you may need include:
- A copy of your child’s previous U.S. passport or citizenship evidence
- A copy of the front and back of the Permanent Resident Card if your child is a Permanent Resident of the U.S.
- Government-issued ID for you and your spouse with your current legal names (driver’s license, military ID, etc.)
- Evidence of your child’s relationship to you like a birth certificate listing you as parent/legal guardian
- If a single parent/guardian household, evidence of sole custody
Basically, get ready to photocopy and notarize a bunch of important documents proving not just your child’s citizenship, but your legal relationship to them as well. It’s tedious, but necessary to safeguard against potential passport fraud or kidnapping concerns.
Tracking Down a Passport Photo
Let’s be honest – getting a decent passport photo of a wriggly, camera-shy kiddo is easier said than done. The State Department requirements are super strict on sizing, backgrounds, facial expressions, and more. Trying to DIY this is a losing battle for most parents.
My recommendation? Save yourself the headache and take your child to get their passport photo done at a professional portrait studio or photography service. It’ll cost somewhere between $10-20, but it’s well worth avoiding photos that get rejected (and having to repeat this circus later).
Most shipping stores like FedEx Office, UPS stores, pharmacies, and Costco Photo Centers offer passport photo services tailored specifically to these picky requirements. Just make sure little Jimmy or Susie is well-rested and in a good mood before the shoot! Bribery in the form of a post-photo lollipop may be required.
Timing Your Child’s Passport Renewal
Unlike adult passport renewals where you can let it slip a bit past expiration, you really don’t want to be cutting it close when it comes to renewing for minors. Many countries simply won’t let kids enter with passports expiring soon.
Most experts recommend initiating the renewal process about a year before your child’s passport is set to expire. That’ll give you ample time to get everything together, submit it, and receive the new documents before any vacation periods.
Also remember – all minor passport renewals require applying in person at an authorized acceptance facility (post office, municipal office, library, etc) or regional passport agency. Unlike adults, minors can’t just mail everything off themselves.
Be ready for appointments being required at many of these facilities these days due to high demand. My advice? Book an acceptance appointment first, then gather docs before going in to cut down on potential delays.
Know Your Passport Fees
Budgeting for passport renewals is always a fun little exercise in finding more room in the budget. And when you’re dealing with renewing kids’ passports, the fees really start to add up fast for entire families.
Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Passport book for minor: $135
- Passport card for minor: $55
- Both book and card: $190
Ouch, I know. Now remember, those fees are for EACH child you need to renew passports for. If you’ve got 2-3 kiddos, it could easily run you hundreds of dollars to get everyone’s documents in order.
There are also additional fees for expedited service (more on that in a bit), overnight delivery options (not recommended except in emergencies), and fees for any mistakes on applications that require resubmitting.
You’ve got a couple payment options to choose from:
- Personal checks or money orders payable to “US Department of State”
- Credit or debit card (but expect to pay processing fees as well)
- Exact change in cash (though not recommended due to risk of loss/theft)
Determine If Expediting Is Needed
Should you need to expedite your minor’s passport application due to unexpected travel needs, it’ll cost you a premium of $60 per application on top of the regular fees. That’s a pretty steep price tag, but sometimes it’s unavoidable for last-minute trips.
Before shelling out for expedited service, see if the 6-8 week routine processing time will have you covered for your travel dates. For any trips more than 2-3 months out, you’ve usually got some breathing room.
If you do need to expedite, you’ll have to make an appointment at a regional passport agency and submit everything for your child’s renewal in person. Kids can’t take advantage of the mail-in option for expedited service.
Some passport agencies offer even faster “rush” turnaround times in 2-3 weeks, but additional steep fees apply. Only pursue that if you’re in a true crunch with set travel dates very soon.
Get Ready to Wait…And Wait Some More
While the passport acceptance agent will make it seem like a breeze once you submit your child’s renewal, don’t think your job is done yet! Much like when they were first born, waiting is the name of the game when it comes to processing times.
Don’t freak out if you don’t receive updates, notifications, or the new passport for several weeks or even a couple months. Processing centers are constantly backlogged, so delays and longer wait times than initially quoted are par for the course.
I’d highly recommend taking advantage of the online passport status system to keep tabs on where your child’s renewal is at during the process. That way if anything seems abnormally delayed or if they need additional information from you, you’ll know immediately instead of anxiously waiting by the mailbox.
Patience is key here, parents. As long as you’ve dotted all the I’s and crossed the T’s on paperwork, your child’s shiny new passport should make its way to you eventually!
Don’t Lose Your Cool (Or Your Child’s New Passport!)
After all the time, money, and energy invested into finally securing your child’s renewed passport, you’ll definitely want to keep those prized documents in pristine condition.
Gone are the days of tossing their booklet into a drawer or having it swimming with loose coins in your purse or bag! Kids and passport safety simply don’t mix well.
Here are some tips to keep your little globe-trotter’s passport secure and undamaged:
- Invest in a dedicated travel wallet or passport holder to store it individually
- Make photocopies of the info pages to carry and keep originals safe
- Never let your child hold onto their own passport without direct supervision
- Keep it locked up when not actively using/traveling with it
- Never put a passport (even a child’s) through the washing machine! (Yes this needs to be stated!)
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