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Expedited American Passports For Children And Newborns by Ben Pate
in Travel / Travel Tips (submitted 2012-01-24)
To travel internationally, one requires a passport from the country of citizenship. Even children need a passport. Be it an airline or a cruise line, the same rule applies provided you are leaving the country. This same rule is applicable for those travelling on land. However, if you are caught unaware, there are expedited pasports for children as well as adults.
Timetable
The application for a passport takes about six weeks. Sometimes, it might take less time but never below four weeks. Expedited service is available for those who want to speed up the processing period. This can shorten the duration of wait from six weeks to two weeks. This expedited service is available at the US Department of State.
Expedited Service
The cost of an expedited passport differs from the standard cost. The variation in the price depends on the speed at which you want the passport. There are independent agencies that provide this service. They have the passport available within a day to 12 days. However, if the passport is not needed urgently, the cost of this service is low.
Government Licensing
There are both online and offline passport expediting services available. The only criterion that you should consider is whether the service provider is government licensed. These agencies will collect your data and help you through the entire application process. If you are using an online service provider, you will need to check your email regularly. The expediter will send you further instructions. Offline providers will contact you by phone for necessary instructions.
Payment
The mode of payment depends on your choice of service provider. There are the options of PayPal, credit card, e-check and bank wire for the online agencies. Offline agencies' payment plan includes bank deposits, credit/debit cards, bank wire, money order and checks. You can make a choice based on the most suitable option available.
Additional Charges
The agency helping you with the expedited passport will charge you for the standard government's passport fee. They will also charge you for their service. If they are the traveling agency in charge of your traveling arrangements, the charges might be included with other services.
Parental Involvement
The parents or guardian of a child is actively involved in the entire process. The present laws of the United State stipulate for both parents be available when the application for the passport is submitted. In the absence of parents, guardians are allowed. The role of the parent/guardian also includes paying the required fees. All agencies offering this service are bound by this law.
Book or Card
There are two types of infant American passport available for children. These are the passport book and passport card. You will have to indicate which you are applying for. The passport card provides the minor with rights to travel by land or sea. This restricts the options to Mexico, Canada, Bermuda and Caribbean. The passport card offers the privilege of traveling via any means of transportation. The amount you will be required to pay will depend on your passport.
About the Author
Although an infant might not be required to purchase a ticket, an infant US passport is still mandatory. Citizens are not allowed to travel outside their country without a valid passport. It is possible to have neglected the necessity. This most likely can make traveling plans cumbersome, especially when children are involved. With expedited pasports for children, the travel plans can still proceed as scheduled.
