Night Elf Posted December 9, 2013 Share Posted December 9, 2013 Dd15 will be going out of the country in July. I'm looking at passport requirements and have a question that I'm hoping someone will know. The requirements say the parents' names must appear in full on the child's birth certificate. The Georgia certificate for my dd has only my maiden name. It specifically says Mother's Maiden Name. It looks like having my married name on there wasn't required. What do I do? Do you think the US Passport people will take this birth certificate or do I need to try to get my hands on one that does include my married name? I have no idea if Georgia would send me another one that doesn't look exactly like the one I've been given already. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amira Posted December 9, 2013 Share Posted December 9, 2013 Don't worry about it. My kids were born in three different states and all their birth certificates have only my maiden name. They also have gotten passports three times with those birth certificates, most recently in July. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milovany Posted December 9, 2013 Share Posted December 9, 2013 Are they flying or driving/taking the train to Canada or Mexico? If traveling by car/train, a 15 year old doesn't need a passport. Just an FYI there. Otherwise, all you can do is submit the birth certificate as given by the state. Give yourself LOTS of time. We had an issue with our daughter's birth certificate when we applied for her passport and it took several weeks to straighten out (and in the meantime, ticket prices rose dramatically :glare: ). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Night Elf Posted December 9, 2013 Author Share Posted December 9, 2013 She's going to Costa Rico with a youth leadership group from the YMCA. I wanted to apply now just in case we encountered any problems. The requirements also state both DH and I have to be there when she applies, so he's going to have to take off work. What a pain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alef Posted December 9, 2013 Share Posted December 9, 2013 It is normal for the maiden name to be used on a birth certificate, this should not be a problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milovany Posted December 9, 2013 Share Posted December 9, 2013 My husband didn't go with us when I got our 17yo daughter's passport. We're married and he's locally available. It was just my daughter and I that went in to the post office. Call the local county offices or post office (wherever you're going) to see what they say. OOPS - I forgot when I typed the above that your daughter is under 16. Our daughter was older than that and there are different rules. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alef Posted December 9, 2013 Share Posted December 9, 2013 She's going to Costa Rico with a youth leadership group from the YMCA. I wanted to apply now just in case we encountered any problems. The requirements also state both DH and I have to be there when she applies, so he's going to have to take off work. What a pain. It is annoying, but the rule is in place to prevent parental kidnapping situations. Unfortunate that such a rule should be necessary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
In The Great White North Posted December 9, 2013 Share Posted December 9, 2013 If both parents aren't present, you need a notorized statement from the one that isn't, that the child has their permission to get a passport. Also a pain. http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/minors/minors_834.html The rules change for 16-17 year-olds, and again at 18. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Night Elf Posted December 9, 2013 Author Share Posted December 9, 2013 Another question. Does the post office take a passport photo, or do we need to provide that ourselves? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Night Elf Posted December 9, 2013 Author Share Posted December 9, 2013 Oh, and do you think DH and I should renew our expired passports just in case something happens? Yes, I'm paranoid about this trip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milovany Posted December 9, 2013 Share Posted December 9, 2013 The post office may or may not (we went to the local drugstore for ours and then took those in), but check out your county offices. They did take the photo for us. I can't remember if we paid extra for that or not; maybe but it wasn't expensive. It was nicer to go there than the post office because it was "one stop shopping." Plus they seemed a bit more knowledgeable than the post office people (our Postmaster General was telling people that everyone needs a passport no matter where/how traveling; I tried to correct him that those under 15 don't if traveling by land and he didn't believe me). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rdj2027 Posted December 9, 2013 Share Posted December 9, 2013 Not all post offices issue passports but those that do usually do the pictures as well. I say usually because we have always done necessary photos at the post office but I am sure there are plenty offices left that we have not sampled yet :tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MysteryJen Posted December 9, 2013 Share Posted December 9, 2013 Just a quick fyi, we had to make an appointment at the post office for the passport applications. They were only available during certain hours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Night Elf Posted December 9, 2013 Author Share Posted December 9, 2013 Just a quick fyi, we had to make an appointment at the post office for the passport applications. They were only available during certain hours. Oh, I'll call them to find out. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmyontheFarm Posted December 9, 2013 Share Posted December 9, 2013 At least one of you should have a current valid passport just in case your dd needs you to come to her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incognito Posted December 9, 2013 Share Posted December 9, 2013 For US passports you can save money and take the pictures yourself. However, you do have to be careful to meet the requirements. I did it easily with babies, and I'd think a teen would be a breeze. Just need a white background and no shadows. Print your pics on your home computer paper to see if the head is the right size, then get them done for 25 or 40 cents or whatever it is at your local photo printing place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twigs Posted December 9, 2013 Share Posted December 9, 2013 …Plus they know the requirements for the photos pretty well. We've had issues with having them done elsewhere. If they aren't exactly right the passport ppl get pissy about it. Totally annoying. For may last passport, I went to local passport office (not at the post office). She said the photo I brought in was questionable (it was cut just at the top of my hair). She said it may be rejected. I let them do another photo so I would not have to deal with it being rejected. So my recommendation is to let the passport people do the photo if possible. Best wishes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anne Posted December 9, 2013 Share Posted December 9, 2013 Some post offices have Saturday passport hours which may help with your dh taking off work. I would not be able to sleep while my dd was gone if one of us didn't have a valid passport.... Anne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muttichen Posted December 9, 2013 Share Posted December 9, 2013 My dh has always taken the photos at home and we've never had a problem, but we've been very careful to follow the requirements on the website. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G5052 Posted December 9, 2013 Share Posted December 9, 2013 Our post office requires appointments for passport applications, and the hours are rather limited IMHO although the clerk said they can make an exception if they have someone available with that training at a different time. Ours also doesn't take photos. We paid $3 at a local photography shop, and it was done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackie Posted December 9, 2013 Share Posted December 9, 2013 I did photos at an office supply store (Staples or Office Depot, forget which one) and it only cost a few dollars. I would really advise that either you or your husband update your passport. In the event of a true emergency, you'll want the ability to get there quickly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caroline Posted December 9, 2013 Share Posted December 9, 2013 The Georgia birth certificate works fine. I have gotten passports for my kids with them. It took a long time for us to get an appointment at the post office. Don't cut things close. We had our pictures made at CVS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QueenCat Posted December 9, 2013 Share Posted December 9, 2013 No problem getting ds his passport using a Georgia birth certificate. This was about 9 years ago, so I don't remember the details, but I'd remember major problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacia Posted December 9, 2013 Share Posted December 9, 2013 We just did this. Make an appointment. If the wait is too long at your location, try some locations in other, lesser populated counties & make an appointment there instead. The birth certificate will be fine. Make sure it is a notarized original. They will take it & it will be mailed back to you separately from the passport. You will also need your driver's license on you for the meeting. If they take photos at the post office you are visiting, that is the easiest way. We had photos done at walgreens & the guy didn't know what he was doing. The PO would not accept them & retook them for us. I returned the photos to walgreens & got a refund. Also, double check when you make the appt. about costs & payment methods. I think there's part that requires a check & part that can be charge, cash, or check. There are two separate charges because part goes to Dept of State & part goes to the Post Office (I think). It was smooth & easy, the longest part being the wait time for the appt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prairie~Phlox Posted December 9, 2013 Share Posted December 9, 2013 our post office doesn't take appointments so check, it's cheaper to have the passports done at CVS or Walgreens, Walmart. Even cheaper to do it at home. You can use http://www.123passportphoto.com/ and it will put the dimensions right, save it and then have them printed at the store. Or there's a government site to change to the correct size as well. We did ours ourselves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted December 9, 2013 Share Posted December 9, 2013 Oh, and do you think DH and I should renew our expired passports just in case something happens? Yes, I'm paranoid about this trip. I actually make sure everyone in the family has current passports every time anyone in the family leaves the country. Maybe it's a little paranoid, but I've seen what it takes to get a passport fast under emergency circumstances. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amira Posted December 9, 2013 Share Posted December 9, 2013 If international travel isn't totally unheard of in a family, I think it's nice to have everyone have a current passport and to get them all at the same time if possible. It is so much easier to renew or get everyone's passports at the same time, especially for children since it can be a hassle for both parents to go to the office. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liz CA Posted December 9, 2013 Share Posted December 9, 2013 She's going to Costa Rico with a youth leadership group from the YMCA. I wanted to apply now just in case we encountered any problems. The requirements also state both DH and I have to be there when she applies, so he's going to have to take off work. What a pain. Yes, both of us had to be there as well. Evidently there is some concern that one parent may apply for a passport and take a child out of the country without the consent of the other parent. The issue regarding maiden name on birth certificate is new to me. My ds's birth cert contains our family name and my maiden name. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Night Elf Posted December 9, 2013 Author Share Posted December 9, 2013 I called my post office and they said it was walk-in only. I'll check CVS about photos but I don't remember there being anything like that at my local CVS. And my Walmart doesn't have a photo studio. In fact, I cannot think of any place around me that has a photo studio or even booth. I forgot to ask the post office if they took pictures. I'll have to call them back. But someone did message me about it being easy to apply for a passport at the local probate court. I'm going to check into that as well. I'm hoping to get this taken care of while dd is on school break. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justasque Posted December 9, 2013 Share Posted December 9, 2013 I try to keep everyone's passport current, all the time. We've had last-minute things come up. I've done the emergency passport thing twice, and it's not something you want to do if you can avoid it. I would absolutely renew your passport, and your dh's too, if you can spare the money. They are good for a long time, so who knows, you may get a last-minute opportunity for a vacation abroad sometime in the next few years! At your ds's age, you may also wish to get him a state photo ID (a driver's license for non-drivers). Our state's is cheap ($15?) and it comes in handy more than you'd think. Easier to replace if lost than a passport. Double-check the issuing location's requirements. Some parts need to be cash, others check, because they go different places. Part of the form needs to be signed in front of the clerk; if you sign it ahead of time you need to fill out a new form. Hours may be more restricted than just regular operating hours. Instead of your DH taking off work, see if there is anywhere with Saturday hours - my local courthouse does this. OR, if he isn't getting his renewed, you can go the affidavit route, and he just needs to go to a notary to get the form signed for you to take along. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dahliarw Posted December 9, 2013 Share Posted December 9, 2013 Our AAA office does photos. Never had an issue with any of them being rejected, they are very careful there and with the kids have done multiple photos to make sure they had one that was "right". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildcat Posted December 10, 2013 Share Posted December 10, 2013 Agreeing that at least one adult needs a valid passport. I had my passport photo done at Walgreen's (they have a pull-down screen in the photo dept). Dh had his done at the post office (long, long, long wait in line!!), and I had the kids' done at Target. I will not use the post office again. The wait was horrid! It took dh close to two hours. With Walgreens & Target, I had my photos in 15 minutes, then ran across the street to a store that mails all sorts of stuff and that was it. The post office advertises 'one stop passports', but there was not one thing convenient about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.