Passport Procrastination

[NYIceQueen]

We discovered our sons' passports expired on Saturday. No big deal as we aren't traveling out of the country until July but even though we called the local passport office at the courthouse to find out what all we needed to bring, we still ran into issues. They both had theirs issued when under age 15; they are now 17 and 18. Not too much trouble for the 17 year old as we could still sign for him, but for the 18 year old, because he only has his learner's permit, that wasn't sufficient proof of identity. They took it and his school ID along with his last passport (which didn't have his signature on it because I had signed for him as Mother according to the instructions for child passports at the time) and we are hoping for the best. If his doesn't come back approved, we have since found that there is a secondary form that we can go back to the courthouse and fill out - he can just take his social security card along with his birth certificate and one of us as identifying witness with our ID, etc. What gets me is that he was able to get his learner's permit using his Passport as his proof of ID but it can't work the other way. He won't get his permanent license any time soon, so he could surrender his learner's permit and get a state issued ID card but then that sets him back to not having a permit for while he's learning to drive. Argh!

Anyway, please wish us luck as we do each of you dealing with passport issuance. Also DH and I see ours expire in November so we won't have the 6 months window post-travel, so we have our renewals ready to go in the mail tomorrow. That big ching-ching you heard was the $110 times 4 (plus $40 for four pics and $25/ea for two passport processing fees for the children).

Yeah I'm in that boat...DH is insisting he wants passports for the kids as well, so that's the same x3 for us...plus having to order my PR birth certificate just in case they ask for it, since all folks born in PR have had to get new re-issued certificates due to "fraud issues". I have my old, expired passport, though, so we're going to try first without the certificate and see how that goes. Been told that's fine to do.

 

[nzdisneymom]

Yeah I'm in that boat...DH is insisting he wants passports for the kids as well, so that's the same x3 for us...plus having to order my PR birth certificate just in case they ask for it, since all folks born in PR have had to get new re-issued certificates due to "fraud issues". I have my old, expired passport, though, so we're going to try first without the certificate and see how that goes. Been told that's fine to do.

Good luck with it!

 

[icesk8abc]

If his application is already in, and he is just needing to send in something additional, the 3-4 week processing shouldn't start over. When I renewed mine before our last cruise, they rejected my picture because the walls in our house were too tan and not off white. I went to CVS and had them do the picture. I sent it in registered mail with return receipt and got my passport 5 days later. I did not pay for expedited processing.

That being said, I would like to echo making sure they have a certified copy of their birth certificates just in case.

 

[JenPinks]

has anyone had issues using their original birth certificate from the 70's? or should I get a new one?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

has anyone had issues using their original birth certificate from the 70's? or should I get a new one?

As long as it's a certified copy it's good. No need to get at "new" one.

 

[JenPinks]

As long as it's a certified copy it's good. No need to get at "new" one.

certified just means the embossed stamp correct?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

certified just means the embossed stamp correct?

Well, in many cases it will have a raised seal. Not all certified birth certificates do. Each issuing entity has it's own certification policy. Sometimes it's a watermark. Sometimes, just a statement on the certificate from the registrar stating it's a certified copy.

 

[JenPinks]

Well, in many cases it will have a raised seal. Not all certified birth certificates do. Each issuing entity has it's own certification policy. Sometimes it's a watermark. Sometimes, just a statement on the certificate from the registrar stating it's a certified copy.

gotcha thanks!!!!

 

[NeesieOnaBoat]

Thank you!

It doesnt excuse his procrastination, but at least I feel better...I may make him sweat it out a bit...lol

I hear you LOL! We are taking our son's girlfriend to Europe, to celebrate his college graduation. Told her in January. No question about needing a passport and she was dragging her feet. Everyday a new excuse. I finally said, unless you are on FIRE, go today, otherwise I'm dragging your b$#% to the post office myself! That did it... prospect of having your potential mother in law dragging you through the post office got action. Girl has a 4.0 college gpa, go figure! So, we now wait. She swears she did the expedited service, but I'll be much calmer once it arrives. If it's rejected then she will have to make an appearance within the 4 week timeframe to do it again!

Empty nest not looking so bad after all, hehe, so I completely understand the 'make him sweat it out a bit'!

 

[Uncleromulus]

Well, in many cases it will have a raised seal. Not all certified birth certificates do. Each issuing entity has it's own certification policy. Sometimes it's a watermark. Sometimes, just a statement on the certificate from the registrar stating it's a certified copy.

And just be certain that it was issued by the State--NOT the hospital. My birth certificate (albeit in 1945) has a raised seal, my parents names, my weight and was signed by the doctor and the hospital administrator-along with a certificate saying it was filed with the Baltimore City Health Dept. ALL NO GOOD ! DENIED!!!