Passport questions - 16 yo and 13 yo

[Anonymous]

My two kids have full validity expired passports from when they were younger. The passports expired during the pandemic and we didn't replace them at that time. Reading the US gov website, it looks like all children's passports are not "renewed" but in fact new passport applications each time, even if the child had a previous passport. Is that correct? But the expired passport can still serve as an identity document?

Also, it seems that my 16yo is able to apply for a 10year whereas my 13 yo will still need a 5 year.

Final question. Last time we got passport photos at Costco which doesn't do them anymore. Should we still get the photos somewhere else or just get them at the post office for the extra $15pp.k

Am I missing anything? Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Yes to everything. We do the photos at the post office just because it is easy. Just be sure to make appointments and both parents have to go.

[Anonymous]

You can do the pictures yourself if you want. You just need a well lit room with a blank white or off-white wall. Any modern phone camera is more than high enough quality.

Use this to size the photos properly for printing on a 4x6 piece of photo paper.

https://www.idphoto4you.com/

[Anonymous]

Also, do the fillable form online and then print and bring with you. Saves time and errors versus filling out by hand. Just don't sign it until you are with the USPS person taking the application.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can do the pictures yourself if you want. You just need a well lit room with a blank white or off-white wall. Any modern phone camera is more than high enough quality.

Use this to size the photos properly for printing on a 4x6 piece of photo paper.

https://www.idphoto4you.com/

Thanks. I don't have a color printer. I looked at FedEx and Walgreens for photos and they charge the same as the post office so I guess I'll just get them there.

[Anonymous]

I got new passports for my kids' earlier this year and they used their expired passports as the citizenship document (I had their birth certificates as well to show the parental relationship, but the passports were what was mailed in along with the application.) And yes, they're considered a new application each time when they're minors.

We did passport photos at CVS and I think it was $16 (our passport appointment was at a location that didn't offer photo services) so it seems like you may as well just do them at the PO and save yourself a trip.

One thing to note is that you need to pay the fee separately to the State Department and the acceptance facility, so make sure you have enough checks with you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can do the pictures yourself if you want. You just need a well lit room with a blank white or off-white wall. Any modern phone camera is more than high enough quality.

Use this to size the photos properly for printing on a 4x6 piece of photo paper.

https://www.idphoto4you.com/

Thanks. I don't have a color printer. I looked at FedEx and Walgreens for photos and they charge the same as the post office so I guess I'll just get them there.

You could use that to take pictures yourself, size then, and then send the files to Walgreens to print. Will be like 50 cents per 4x6 print, and you don't have to schlep the kids with you.

[Anonymous]

Both parents need to be there if there's no alternate custody arrangement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I got new passports for my kids' earlier this year and they used their expired passports as the citizenship document (I had their birth certificates as well to show the parental relationship, but the passports were what was mailed in along with the application.) And yes, they're considered a new application each time when they're minors.

We did passport photos at CVS and I think it was $16 (our passport appointment was at a location that didn't offer photo services) so it seems like you may as well just do them at the PO and save yourself a trip.

One thing to note is that you need to pay the fee separately to the State Department and the acceptance facility, so make sure you have enough checks with you.

You just need one check per kid. The USPS fee can be paid with credit card.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Both parents need to be there if there's no alternate custody arrangement.

Yes or notarized letter from 2nd parent.

[Anonymous]

The only caveat to expecting photos at the post office is sometimes the photo machine is broken. Then you don’t have all the things you need and you end up missing your appointment.

[Anonymous]

I get my passport photos at CVS when I need them. Very easy.

Do make sure you get those passports, though, surely you have seen that other thread about how people without them are undateable? Lol. I mean, I know they are kids, but you just wanna protect them in advance.

[Anonymous]

NP. My DC’s passport expired and their legal name has since changed. Now to get the new passport I assume I submit proof of legal name change with the other paperwork. Anyone have experience with this?

[Anonymous]

You want the passport to serve as an identity document for what?

MSYSA (Maryland State Youth Soccer Association) won't accept an expired Passport as a Proof of Age, only a current one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You want the passport to serve as an identity document for what?

MSYSA (Maryland State Youth Soccer Association) won't accept an expired Passport as a Proof of Age, only a current one.

Huh?