Child passport renewal question.

[smmco]

I don't know if anyone can answer this question. I've done numerous google searches that haven't led me to a clear cut answer. I know you can't renew a minors passport you have to get new one. My question is do you have to send in the old passport or can they continue to use it until the new passport arrives? I know when adults renew they have to send in old passport and do it by mail, but with a child it's a new application process that they must show up in person.

 

[starry_solo]

I believe they send in the old passport

 

[adamki]

We had to send it back and it was returned with a hole punched through it - same as an adult passport.

 

[KashasMom]

You have to send the passport with the application. They send the old one back separately from the new one.

 

[DCSWO]

If you have to use the old passport for proof of identity or citizenship, they will want It.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

I don't know if anyone can answer this question. I've done numerous google searches that haven't led me to a clear cut answer. I know you can't renew a minors passport you have to get new one. My question is do you have to send in the old passport or can they continue to use it until the new passport arrives? I know when adults renew they have to send in old passport and do it by mail, but with a child it's a new application process that they must show up in person.

If the child has a prior passport, it must be sent in. Because they will punch the cover to indicate it is no longer valid to use before sending the old one back. My DD just got a new passport in the fall and we sent the old one in with the application to get the new one. Her original one was issued when she was 11 and she's now 16, so this new one is considered an "adult" passport that is good for 10 years.

One odd thing happened when we went to our appointment at the post office to submit the application. The employee helping us asked for photo ID from her. I pointed to the current passport I'd handed him and said, that's her photo ID. He told me he needed another photo ID like a drivers license. I pointed out she had just turned 16 a few weeks before and didn't have a drivers license yet. Eventually, I pulled out the documentation I'd printed and showed him that between the old passport and her birth certificate we'd presented, we'd more than satisfied the ID requirements to submit the application. He relented but it left me a little unsettled that someone taking passport applications would be so confused about what was required.

 

[smmco]

If the child has a prior passport, it must be sent in. Because they will punch the cover to indicate it is no longer valid to use before sending the old one back. My DD just got a new passport in the fall and we sent the old one in with the application to get the new one. Her original one was issued when she was 11 and she's now 16, so this new one is considered an "adult" passport that is good for 10 years.

One odd thing happened when we went to our appointment at the post office to submit the application. The employee helping us asked for photo ID from her. I pointed to the current passport I'd handed him and said, that's her photo ID. He told me he needed another photo ID like a drivers license. I pointed out she had just turned 16 a few weeks before and didn't have a drivers license yet. Eventually, I pulled out the documentation I'd printed and showed him that between the old passport and her birth certificate we'd presented, we'd more than satisfied the ID requirements to submit the application. He relented but it left me a little unsettled that someone taking passport applications would be so confused about what was required.

 

[smmco]

Thanks you all. It’s such a simple question but could find the answer on the state dept page. Our cruise is in three weeks I’ll wait until we get back. We’ll have a 4 month break until we travel again that should be enough time.

 

[dad of 3 addicted to DCL]

If you have the passport card, it has to go back with the book. The processor at our post office told us we could keep the card while getting both new ones for the kids. Wrong! They held up the entire application until they received the expiring cards (s)

 

[Rob1872]

Yes, it is not possible to get the new one without surrendering the old one. I ran into a similar issue where I needed a new passport but also needed the old one for travel. Had to juggle the dates of everything to make it work.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

Thanks you all. It’s such a simple question but could find the answer on the state dept page. Our cruise is in three weeks I’ll wait until we get back. We’ll have a 4 month break until we travel again that should be enough time.

4 months is plenty of time. My DD's new passport came 3 weeks and 1 day after we submitted the application. You may want to look into scheduling an appointment to submit the new application now. You can look at availability of appointments and schedule one online. It can vary a lot by area, but my experience was most appointments were booked up for at least 2 weeks out, and to get a weekend appointment, I had to go 4 weeks out. So you could schedule an appointment now for once you return from your cruise.

 

[Mommb]

You may want to look into scheduling an appointment to submit the new application now. You can look at availability of appointments and schedule one online. It can vary a lot by area, but my experience was most appointments were booked up for at least 2 weeks out, and to get a weekend appointment, I had to go 4 weeks out. So you could schedule an appointment now for once you return from your cruise.

Planning in advance for after your cruise would be a good idea. You can explore various options for places that offer passport service. We have used our local post office, which does not take reservations, and our local library, which does. There is a locator available on the State Department’s passport website.

 

[smmco]

4 months is plenty of time. My DD's new passport came 3 weeks and 1 day after we submitted the application. You may want to look into scheduling an appointment to submit the new application now. You can look at availability of appointments and schedule one online. It can vary a lot by area, but my experience was most appointments were booked up for at least 2 weeks out, and to get a weekend appointment, I had to go 4 weeks out. So you could schedule an appointment now for once you return from your cruise.

Our post office is wide open as far as appointments go. I guess no one in my city travels. It only took 2 weeks last time,