• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About Us
  • Work With Us
  • Shop
  • Blog Coaching
  • Disclosures
  • Contact
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Amazon
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • YouTube
I mean c’mon there is not one reason, look at th I mean c’mon there is not one reason, look at this view from the top of the Kloof Corner hike! The biggest way we’re able to afford traveling so much is by letting the deals dictate where we go. Cape Town has been on our bucket list forever but with flights typically costing $1,200-$1,800 it hasn’t been a priority. But when Scott’s Cheap Flights (now called Going, I don’t like the new name but that’s besides the point) dropped this Cape Town deal for less than half of what it normally costs we jumped on it!

So often I hear “but there are no deals during school breaks”, YES THERE ARE! We went to Cape Town for Thanksgiving and the girls get the entire week off of school so they missed no days. Plus since there seasons are opposite it was late spring and the weather was amazing. Scott’s emails deals directly to your inbox for the airports you choose (we select our home airport and airports we can easily fly direct to and always have cheap flights because sometimes it’s worth flying to a city for a deal (known as a repositioning flight). They offer a free version but you don’t get all the deals so we have the Premium subscription which costs $49 for a year and you can tap the link in my bio and use code TRAVELINGCHILD20 for 20% off. They have an Elite membership level for business class seats. Because someone always asks, yes they give deals for nonstop flights but please remember you can’t fly everywhere nonstop. Beloved if you’re going to Thailand from the US you’re going to have a layover.

Anyway when in Cape Town you must hike, there are so many amazing ones! This Kloof’s Corner hike is perfect for sunset. It’s not stroller or wheelchair accessible as there are stairs but if Jordyn and Kennedy can hike it in 40mins (one way up) I promise you don’t have to be super fit!

P.S. when booking a flight from the US you have 24 hours to cancel & get a refund (on flights booked 7 days in advance). So many ppl told me they hesitated on this deal because they had to see if they could get off work/what dates worked for their travel partners. Always book first, think second & just cancel within 24hrs if you can’t make it work! What’s the best flight deal you’ve booked?
Hello from Cape Town, South Africa! Here’s every Hello from Cape Town, South Africa! Here’s everything you need to know about getting into South Africa (save + share this post):

1. Your passport must be valid for 30 days after your scheduled date of departure.

2. You must have 2 consecutive empty pages in your passport.

3. There is no visa required for US citizens for visits less than 90 days.

4. There are no shots required to travel to South Africa, unless you are traveling from or transiting through yellow-fever deemed countries, then a yellow fever shot is required. You can find a list of these countries online.

5. South Africa has opposite seasons than the US so our winter is their summer. December to February are peak travel due to the weather but if you visit in November like we did you’ll get good weather and avoid the massive crowds of peak season.

Have you visited South Africa? If so, which part? If not, is it on your list?
Because why do y’all do this to us trip planners Because why do y’all do this to us trip planners? Are you the one in your group that plans the trip or do you just show up? If you’re the planner tag your friends 😅. If you just show up do you look at the itinerary or ask all the questions even though the info was given to you 👀?

Original reel idea credit goes to @kryssedeal, sis really nailed exactly how I feel!!
#sponsored Last year we were able to cross some am #sponsored Last year we were able to cross some amazing places off our bucket list. We want you to do the same so we’ve teamed up with @vrbo to give you the opportunity to win $3,500 and turn your bucket list trip into a book-it-list one! 

Just head over to the giveaway post on @vrbo, make sure you’re following them and tag 3 people you’d want to join you on your trip! 

So what is your book-it list vacation this year?

*T&Cs apply – link in bio

 #VrboTogether #BookItList
Things to do in Istanbul (save and share this post Things to do in Istanbul (save and share this post):

1. Visit the various houses of worship like Hagia Sofia, the Blue Mosque. Suleymaniye Camii, Ortakoy Mosque, Chora Church and the Camlica Mosque

2. Tour palaces like Topkapi Palace, Dolmabahce Palace, Beylerbeyi Palace

3. Climb the Galata Tower for amazing views of Istanbul. You can even enjoy a meal here at the restaurant on the top floor.

4. Take a cruise of the Bosphorus to see both the European and Asia side of Istanbul.

5. Visit the cities Bazaars, the Grand Bazaar where you can shop your heart out and the Spice Bazaar where you can eat your heart out. Don’t leave without trying a Turkish delight!

6. If you want to go shopping Istiklal is the place to do so. They have a wide range of stores including international chains like Zara.

7. See a Dervish show at Hodjapasha.

8. Walk across the Galata Bridge to see fisherman at work and then walk under it to taste their fresh catches.

9. Take a day trip to the Princes’ Islands.

10. Experience a Turkish Hammam.

11. Explore the neighborhood of Balet, enjoying the colorful building and have some traditional Turkish tea or my favorite Apple Tea.

12. Turkey has some amazing food so go on a food tour or take a cooking class. If you don’t do either just make sure not to leave without having a traditional Turkish breakfast!

I recommend at least 5 days in Istanbul but you can easily spend a week or more exploring the city.

Have you been to Istanbul? If not is it on your list? For those that have been what was your favorite thing to do?

#istanbul #bucketlistadventures
Our Egypt Itinerary (save + share this post): 3 n Our Egypt Itinerary (save + share this post):

3 nights Siwa: Shali Fortress, 4x4 safari in the Great Sand Sea, sunset on Fatnas Island, emple of Amun and Temple of the Oracle, take a look or a dip into Cleopatra Spring, Mountain of the Dead, House of Siwa Museum, float in the salt lakes.

5 nights Cairo: Great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx,  Egyptian Museum, Saqqara, Khal Al Khalil, Old and Coptic Cairo: Hanging Church, Mohamed Ali Mosque, Al Azhar Mosque and the Fortress of Babylon, see an Al Tannoura Egyptian Dance Heritage Show at Wekalet El Ghouri. For a break from the historical things with kids spend a day at Dreamland Park, Kidzania, or Ski Egypt. Stay at Marriott Mena House.

3 nights Luxor: Hot air balloon ride, Luxor Museum, Mummification museum, Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens, Temple of Karnak, Temple of Luxor, Colossi Statue of Memnon and Hatshpsut

3 nights Aswan: High Dam, Temple of Philae, Nubian Villages, Sail on the Nile by Felucca, Nubian Museum, Abu Simbel

On the way to Aswan from Luxor you can also stop to see the Temple of Horus and Kim Ombo Temple. If you have extra time visit Alexandria, Bahariya Oasis, and White Desert National Park to see the White Desert.

Have you been to Egypt? Is it on your list? There is so much to see outside of Cairo! 

#bucketlisttravel #cairoegypt #luxoregypt #aswan
OUR MOROCCO ITINERARY (save + share this post):

🇲🇦2 nights Chefchaouen- painting class, hiking, enjoying the Blue City and more.

🇲🇦3 nights Fes- Royal palaces, Moroccan dance class, visit the tannery and more

🇲🇦6 nights Marrakech- Majorelle Gardens, explore the Medina, explore the various mosques, stay in a riad, take a Moroccan cooking class and more.

🇲🇦3 nights Sahara Desert- ATV tour, sand boarding, Bedouin experience and more.

For all the details of each trip tap the link in my bio for the itineraries of each city. Have you been to Morocco? Is it on your list?

P.S. the girls were 3 and 5 on this trip

#moroccotrip #thisisafrica #travellingwithkids

The Traveling Child

If kids live there, kids can visit!

  • Affording Travel
  • Destinations
    • Africa
      • Kenya
      • Morocco
    • Asia
      • Singapore
      • Thailand
    • Australia
    • Caribbean
      • Aruba
      • The Bahamas
      • Barbados
      • Cuba
      • Grand Cayman
      • Jamaica
      • Puerto Rico
      • Trinidad
    • Central America
      • Costa Rica
    • Europe
      • Austria
      • Belgium
      • Denmark
      • France
      • Italy
      • Spain
      • The Netherlands
    • North America
      • Alaska
      • Arizona
      • California
      • Colorado
      • Florida
      • Georgia
      • Hawaii
      • Idaho
      • Illinois
      • Kansas
      • Louisiana
      • Mexico
      • Nevada
      • New York
      • South Carolina
      • South Dakota
      • Tennessee
      • Texas
      • Utah
      • West Virginia
      • Wisconsin
    • South America
      • Brazil
      • Colombia
  • Travel Tips
    • Tips on Traveling with Kids
    • Trip Planning Tips
  • Reviews
    • Airline Reviews
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Product Reviews
  • Lifestyle
  • Buy Our Book
  • Blog Coaching

Easy Guide on Applying for a Child’s Passport

September 1, 2016      Tips on Traveling with Kids, Trip Planning Tips

This post contains affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission at no cost to you. Please see our disclosure policy for more information. All opinions are my own.

So you’re ready to travel internationally with your child? Regardless of age, all children need a passport to travel outside of the US. Minors under the age of 16 apply for a Child’s Passport. Here is an easy guide to applying for your child’s passport.

baby sitting on the floor in front of a suitcase eating her passport

What You Need to Apply for a Child’s Passport

1. Completed DS-11 form
2. One 2×2 passport photo
3. Evidence of child’s U.S. citizenship
4. Evidence of relationship between child and parent(s)/guardian(s)
5. Parent(s) or guardian(s) identification and photocopy of identification
6. Provide parental consent
7. Application fee

Where to get a Passport Photo for a Child’s Passport Application

You can get a passport photo at most Pharmacy & Retail stores such as CVS, Walgreens, Duane Reade, Rite Aid, etc. These places provide two photos and charge anywhere from $8.99-$12.99. The 1-Hour Photo Lab at Costco also offers passport photos and is half the price.  FedEx and UPS also offer passport photo service. At select local AAA office, passport photos are also offered; two free sets of photos are covered for AAA Plus members and unlimited sets for AAA Premier members per membership year, AAA Classic members have to pay a fee of $8 per set. Some passport application acceptance facilities also have passport photo services which can save you a separate trip but be sure to call in advance to find out if this service is offered.

The easiest way to take an infants passport photo is to have them in their car seat. Be sure to cover the car seat with a plain white sheet before placing the child in it in order for the passport photo to be valid. You can also have them lay flat on top of a white sheet but no other person can be in the photo so be sure you are not touching them at all. It is acceptable if an infants eyes, particularly newborns, are entirely or not all the way open. Make sure there are no shadows on your baby’s face especially if they are laying down and you have the camera above them. Their head must be facing the camera and no hair can be in their face. If your child wears glasses they can keep them on but there can not be any glare. They must keep a neutral facial expression or a natural smile, no funny faces.

Evidence of U.S. Citizenship for Child’s Passport

  • Valid, undamaged U.S. passport (may be expired)
  • U.S. birth certificate
  • Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Birth
  • Certificate of Citizenship

If you can’t submit one of these documents check out Citizen Evidence 

Evidence of Relationship Between Child and Parent(s)/Guardian(s)

  • U.S. birth certificate 
  • Consular Report of Birth Abroad
  • Foreign birth certificate
  • Adoption Decree
  • Divorce/Custody Decree

   These documents MUST be originals or certified copies

Parental Consent Needed to Apply for a Child’s Passport

Passport applications for children under 16 must be submitted in person at an authorized passport acceptance facility and BOTH parents must be with the child. If both parents cannot be present a parental consent form must be filled out and notarized on behalf of the absent parent. In addition, you need to provide a photocopy of the front and back of their ID. If you have sole legal custody of the child you will need to provide proof of this with your child’s application. Examples of proof include: Court order showing you have full custody, court order specifically permitting you to apply for your child’s passport, certified copy of the child’s birth certificate listing you as the only parent, certified copy of an adoption decree listing you as the only parent, certified copy of the judicial declaration of incompetence of the parent that cannot appear, certificate copy of the death certificate of the other parent. If neither parent is able to appear a third party may apply for your child’s passport with a notarized stated from both parents giving the third party permission.

You’ll Need to Present ID and Provide Photocopy of ID

The parents/guardians must present one of the following:

  • In-state, fully-valid driver’s license
  • Valid or expired, undamaged, U.S. passport
  • Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship
  • Government employee ID (city, county, state or federal)
  • U.S. military ID or military dependent ID
  • Valid foreign passport
  • Matricula Consular (Mexican Consular Identification, commonly used by a parent of a U.S. citizen child applicant)

If you cannot present one of these IDs please see Identification
If you present an out-of-state ID, you must present an additional ID.

You must also submit a photocopy of the front and back of each ID that you present to the acceptance agent.

Requirements:

  • Photocopy must be on plain white, 8 1/2 x 11″ standard paper.
  • The photocopy cannot be double-sided.
  • Do not decrease the image size (although you may enlarge it).

Where to Apply for a Child’s Passport

You can search for your nearest passport acceptance facility here. Need your child’s passport in a hurry? If you have to travel soon you are eligible to apply in person at a Passport Agency by showing proof of international travel. For more information on this process click here. Children’s passports cannot be renewed by mail and must be applied for at a facility.

Application Fee for a Child’s Passport

Unlike an adults passport that is valid for 10 years a child’s passport is only good for 5 years. The fee is only $80 compared to an adult passport that costs $110. In addition to the $80 fee, there is a $25 execution fee.

If you are applying at a Passport Acceptance Facility the only way to pay the application fee is by check or money order. The $80 application fee and $25 Execution Fee are paid separately so be sure to bring two checks or get two money orders. If you are applying at a Passport Agency you can pay by debit or credit card as well as checks, money orders, cash (exact change only), or pre-paid credit card or gift cards with the Visa or MasterCard logo. For more information on fees click here.

Some of the information on this page was taken from the U.S. Passports & International Travel website.

Now that you have the tools to book your international flight here are tips to surviving flights with babies, toddlers, and long-haul flights with kids. Did you find this post helpful? Please share it!

The Traveling Child is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.

Share70
Tweet
Pin6
Email
Share
76 Shares

Newsletter Subscribtion

 
Join Our Mailing List
You'll get tips on affordable travel, flight deals and detailed itineraries for every trip we've been on (family, girlfriends getaway, baecations and solo) to make your planning process easier.
Thank you for subscribing!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Cadian says

    May 17, 2018 at 12:08 pm

    This is right on time. We are going to apply for my son’s passport very soon. Do you know if you have to apply for it in the state where you live?

Primary Sidebar

  • Amazon
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • TikTok
  • YouTube

Hi! We’re The Hambricks

Hi! We’re The Hambricks

If kids live there, kids can visit! That's our motto and you'll often find us exploring destinations most don't find "kid friendly". We've traveled to 35 countries on 6 continents with our children since they were 10 weeks old and share tips to make it easier and affordable. But mom and dad are people too so we also write about solo travel, baecations and girlfriend getaways.

Newsletter

Subscribe to Our Newsletter
You'll get tips on affordable travel, flight deals and detailed itineraries for every trip we've been on (family, girlfriends getaway, baecations and solo) to make your planning process easier.
Thank you for subscribing!

Recent Posts

  • The Best Christmas Markets in Europe
  • The Best Christmas Markets in the USA
  • The 11 Best Eiffel Tower Photo Spots
  • The Best Places to Go for Halloween
  • Things to Do in Southern Idaho

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK

Facebook

FOLLOW US ON PINTEREST

Copyright © 2023 The Traveling Child, LLC.