A passport is one of the essential requirements for traveling abroad, and the process of obtaining one can be quite complex, especially for minors. This article will provide a detailed guide on how to navigate the passport application process for children.
1 Do Children Need a Passport When Traveling Abroad?
According to Article 33 of the Law on Exit and Entry of Vietnamese Citizens 2019, Vietnamese citizens must possess the following documents when exiting the country:
- Valid travel documents with remaining validity (including passports and travel documents as specified in Article 6 of this Law). Passports must have at least six months’ validity remaining;
- A visa or other document confirming that the citizen is permitted entry by the destination country, unless a visa is not required;
- The citizen must not fall under any category of persons prohibited from exiting or temporarily prohibited from exiting the country.
Are passports necessary for children traveling abroad?
These regulations apply to Vietnamese citizens of all ages, including minors. Therefore, when traveling internationally, children are also required to hold a valid passport and visa.
Notably, Clause 2 of Article 33 of the Law on Exit and Entry of Vietnamese Citizens stipulates that children under 14 years of age must be accompanied by their legal representative when exiting the country and cannot travel alone.
2 Documents Required for a Child’s Passport Application
In accordance with Article 15 of the Law on Exit and Entry, the following documents are necessary when applying for a child’s passport:
01 Declaration Form (TK01). In the case of children under 14 years of age, the form must be completed and signed by either parent or legal guardian and endorsed by the Head of the Commune/Ward/Township Police where the child resides. This must be accompanied by:
- Valid passport of either parent with a minimum validity of one year if requesting to include a child under nine years of age in the parent’s passport.
- Valid passport of the child with a minimum validity of one year and legal documents confirming any changes to: Name; Date and place of birth; Gender; National ID number or foreign resident card number.
- Child’s previous passport, if applying for a new one due to expiration or loss.
- Report Form (X08) or confirmation from the Exit and Entry Management Authority regarding the loss of the previous passport, if applicable.
- Certified copy of legal guardianship documents for the child, if the guardian is completing the application on the child’s behalf. If certification is not available, the original documents must be presented for verification.
Documents required for a child’s passport application
- 02 recent photographs (4×6 cm) of the child, taken directly facing the camera, without colored glasses, and with a white background. For children under nine years of age who will be included in their parent’s passport, two 3×4 cm photographs are required;
- Certified copy of the child’s birth certificate for children under 14 years of age. If certification is not available, the original document must be presented for verification.
3 Procedure for Applying for a Child’s Passport
Procedure for applying for a child’s passport
Once you have prepared the necessary documents, follow these steps to complete the passport application process for your child:
For children with a Citizen Identification Card: Submit the application to the Exit and Entry Management Office of the provincial-level public security agency in any convenient province or city.
For children without a Citizen Identification Card: Submit the application to the Exit and Entry Management Office of the provincial-level public security agency in the province or city where the child resides (permanent or temporary residence).
The passport application fee for children is 200,000 VND (as per Circular No. 25/2021/TT-BTC).
After submitting the application and paying the fee, you will need to wait for eight working days for the passport to be processed (as per Article 15 of the Law on Exit and Entry). Once the passport is ready, you can collect it in person from the Exit and Entry Management Office of the provincial-level public security agency. Alternatively, some localities offer the option of receiving the passport via express delivery service to your specified address.
4 Validity of a Child’s Passport
Validity of a child’s passport
According to Point b, Clause 2, Article 7 of the Law on Exit and Entry, ordinary passports issued to children under 14 years of age are valid for five years from the date of issue and cannot be extended.
This article provides a comprehensive guide on the passport application process for children. We hope that with this information, you can successfully navigate the procedure and obtain your child’s passport swiftly and smoothly.
Tips for Obtaining a Passport if You Reside Outside of Your Province
Are you thinking about getting a passport to visit a foreign province? Confused about the application process? This article will provide answers to these questions and more!
Things to Avoid Posting on Social Media While Traveling
Many of the information that people often boast about on social media while traveling in reality falls into the list of things that should not be posted if one wants to ensure safety.
Online Passport Application via Mobile, Desktop, and Home Delivery
Are you looking for a comprehensive guide to applying for a passport online? Look no further! Our step-by-step tutorial will provide all the information you need to successfully apply for your passport from the comfort of your own home, saving you time and effort. Whether you’re using your phone or a computer, we’ve got you covered. Stay tuned for a detailed exploration of the entire online passport application process, helping you navigate the required documents and procedures with ease.
