Passports...

[*Huey*]

Are they a necessity or convenience? (For either 7 day itinerary)

Also, should children have one also? If so, I've read that you must have both parents' concent... I'm a single mother (father's name does not appear on birth certificate) so do I need to worry??

thanks again!
Allie

[MFan]

I would suggest you doing a search on this subject. There are many recent threads on this. In summary, you're not required to have a passport; but, in an unlikely event of an emergency (usually medical) for which you must stay behind in a foreign port, not having a US passport will become a huge added problem.

[prymsu]

It has been a while since I got Dakota his passport. I don't recall having to get two signatures on the application, but i could be wrong, or maybe the rules have changed. Also if you have any questions, I would call or drop by the passport office in your area for further guidance.

[BriarfoxinWA]

I got passports for my DS's last year and it does take both parents signing. After reading some of the previous posts regarding having medical emergencies and such when out of the country (Mexico) I wouldn't travel without one now.

[Kristaia]

Never fear, a passport is the way to go.
If you are the sole parent listed on the birth certificate then that is all they need. You have to appear in person at your local county court or other passport agency.
If you have a raised-seal birth certificate with just your name as a parent you will be fine.
Look at this website for more informationpassport information (http://www.travel.state.gov)

[hazmat1212]

i would never leave U.S. soil without one.
cin in NJ
MAGIC 8/31/02:Pinkbounc

[din]

IMHO - get a passport. THe whole family has thier own passport. DS start having passport at 5 months old. BC are time consuming to get if you lose it. We always carry it even going into Canada and have been asked to prove citizenship.

As for the two parents, it use to be one parent was needed. I just "renewed", kids need to apply for a new passport every five years, for my DS and found out that you now need both parents if applicable, to apply for the new passport.

Hope this helps.

[mcnuss]

You should have passports; they make things easier if you were to have a problem.

Since your child's father is not listed on the BC, you do not have to worry about the new rules. They are intended to prevent non-custodial parents from obtaining a passport for the child and then kidnapping them to a foreign country to evade the US courts. This is not an issue for you and you needn't worry. They would only require the father's consent if there was one listed on the BC.