What do I need for passports?

Question

I will be applying for mine and my childrens passports as they will be needed come June to travel over the Mexico border (as opposed to now traveling with birth certificate and passport papers...correct me if I am wrong?) Anways, I have two children..one out of wedlock and his father is not in his life. He pays child support regularly but is in the military. My other child is from my ex husband..whom still sees her (and my son as he only knew him as a father and took him on as his own) How do I need to apply for their passport, particularly my son. Being that his father is not around, does he have to be present or approve the passport with a signiture? Can my ex husband sign for my son even though he is not his biological father? I'm just confused really if someon could fill me in on what I need to do....I'm in Texas.

Answer 1

The current rules and regulations for passports for children are on the Department of State website at: http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/min...

The forms are available from the website, at post offices, or at some travel agencies. Basically, you'll need a certified birth certificate, proof of relationship (i.e., that you are their parent or legal guardian), parental identification (i.e., your valid, legal ID), Parental Application Permission Documentation, two passport photos, the fees for the passports, and your social security number. The website tells you what is acceptible and what is not for each of the documents you need to provide.

In your case, your ex-husband can either appear with you or provide you with a notarized statement of consent for his child, but not the other (unless he legally adopted him). The form for the statement is on the website. For the second child, if you are the only parent listed on the birth certificate, you can submit by yourself. If the father is also listed, then you can get a notarized permission from him as well. There are other options such as a court order showing you have sole custody or a specific court order allowing the child to travel with you (see section 5 of the website for complete details).

Good luck.