Several months before the trip, visit the U.S. Department of State website to download a passport application form (DS-11), locate the nearest acceptance facility or passport agency, and determine if any additional visas are required for the country or countries that will be visited.
Complete the application form. Be sure to provide the applicant's social security number to prevent delayed processing or denial of the application.
Gather all of the necessary items required to complete the submission of the application for the minor, including evidence of citizenship, evidence of relationship with parents/guardians, original identification of both parents/guardians, a copy of identification of both parents/guardians, proof of parental consent to obtain a passport, applicable fees and a passport photo. Minors age 16 or 17 may use their own identification instead of that of parents or guardians, and must also provide a copy for submission with the application. For further clarification on the types of documents that are accepted, review the guidelines on the U.S. Department of State website.
Take all of these items to the acceptance facility or passport agency and assist the minor with the application process. It is important to note that all minors age 17 and under must apply in person.
Once the passport is received, review visa requirements for the destination on the U.S. Department of State website and apply for the visas as directed by the embassy for that country.
Make copies of the first page of the passport and any associated visas. Pack the copies in a separate location from the original passport and visas.
Contact the embassy of the destination to determine if the Consent to Travel and Medical Authorization Form may be completed in English or if it must be translated to the native language of that country. Also establish whether or not a representative of the embassy or consulate must notarize or authenticate the document.
Download the combined Consent to Travel/Medical Authorization Form from the American Automobile Association (AAA), translate it, if necessary, and fill in the appropriate information, but do not sign it. Create several original copies of this form.
If the document will be accepted in English, visit a Notary Public and sign each of the original consent forms, having each of them notarized. If required, submit the translated document to the embassy of the destination for notarization and authentication.
Take all of the original forms on the trip, but pack them separately. Some of the original copies may need to be submitted to border agents upon entry. Leave copies at home with those listed as emergency contacts.
Review the medical coverage for the minor, paying particular attention to which medical services are covered overseas, if any.
Make two copies of the minor's parent or guardian's medical insurance card, front and back.
Make two copies of the Permanent Data Form for the medical insurance that lists the dependents covered by the policy.
Obtain two copies of a medical claim form from the insurance provider.
Take both copies of each document on the trip, but pack them separately.
