Children who are leaving with their parents on a trip abroad are also required to have passports. When the trip's departure date is near, the parents have to get the documents in the fastest way possible. The documents can be processed in a short time if an expedited child passport application is made.

Everyone who needs passports is required to do the paperwork. If the applicants are minors, the parents or guardians have to fill out the papers. When all the documents are ready, first time applicants, including infants, have to appear personally at the passport acceptance center. It is required that parents must be with their kids when they make their appearance.

For all children applying for their new United States passports, the primary documentary requirement is their birth certificate. This paper must contain a seal of the office where they were acquired. Make sure that the names of both parents are shown in the certificate.

Form DS-11, which is the application form for first time applicants, should be obtained and filled up. This document is usually available in most post offices and public libraries. An alternate way of getting the form is to download it from the website of the US State Department.

A recent passport sized picture of your children must be taken. Parental consent is required for travelling minors. Decide who will accompany the kids when they make an appearance at the acceptance center. If both parents are coming, consent is indicated when both sign Form DS-11. If only one parent can make it, the other parent must fill out Form DS-3053, which is a statement of consent allowing their kids to travel. If a guardian is accompanying the children, both parents must execute a notarized statement that recognizes the third party's role. Additional proof must be presented when only one parent has custody. If the other parent is dead, a certificate is the appropriate document. If the parents are divorced, a court order granting sole custody to the child must be shown.

Accompanying adults must be able to show identification upon arriving in the acceptance center. These could be a driver's license, passports or any government issued ID. When all the children's papers have satisfied the requirements, the adult will sign Form DS-11. Then they will pay an expedited processing fee. Children who are 15 or 16 years old can come unaccompanied when making their personal appearance. In addition, they must be able to show that their parents have consented to their travel.

All expedited applications take at least three weeks to complete. The payment required is more expensive than a regular application. Part of the payment is for an express delivery of your child's documents. The status of the processing can be monitored online five to seven days after application. Provide your name, the last four parts of your Social Security Number and your date of birth when logging in.

Giving your children the gift of travelling abroad could be one of the best presents they will receive. It makes them understand the world in a way no classroom teaching could. Travelling makes better persons out of people and children are not exempt from this observation with their new USA passports. So give your children the world by applying for an expedited child USA Passport.