How to navigate the nightmare of applying for your child’s first passport if you’re a single parent

APPLYING for passports can be a stressful experience, especially when it is for your child and it’s their first travel document.

However, it can be even more of a nightmare when you’re doing it as a single parent.

2

A child’s first passport must include information from both parents, making it potentially tricky for divorced couples.

If only one parent is named on the birth certificate, or the child was adopted by a sole parent, then the application only needs to have one signature.

However, divorced couples must have the details of both partners on the passport form.

This must include their full name and details.

K-ID NOT Home Office warns parents with different surname to kids to bring birth certificate to airport

The rest of the application is similar to an adult passport application, except it only costs £49, and lasts for five years, not ten years.

A digital photo of the child will need to be submitted (or two photos if applying by post), as well as someone to confirm the child’s identity.

This can include dentists, doctors, accountants, journalists, police officers or government workers.

Additional documents that must be sent include a birth or adoption certificate, proof of British nationality (such as a parent’s passport) and any additional court documents.

The government website explains: “You need to give both parents’ details when you apply. If you cannot provide the other parent’s details, you need to say why (for example, you’re the only parent named on the birth certificate or you adopted the child on your own).”

2

Once you’ve sent everything off and paid for it, the new passport should arrive within three weeks

However, single parents who want to take their child out of the country will also need to get permission from the other parent.

A consent form with the details of the other parent will be needed, as the government require proof to prevent child trafficking or child abduction.

Without express permission, the parent will need to go through court with the dates of the intended departure for the holiday.

MATES’ RATES

Mum’s shock after close friend demands £800 for stay at her home in Italy

PLANE BONKERS

Boeing forced to store grounded 737 Max planes in its employee car park

DREAM JOB

Maldives resort is offering a free trip worth £5,000 where you rescue sea turtles

Latest

SUMMER WOES

BA & easyJet passengers warned of travel chaos as staff vote on strikes

BARGAIN ISLE

Unbelievably cheap private island homes you can rent from just £9pp

Parents with a different last name to their kids could face extra questioning at the airport.

Also a procedure to prevent trafficking, the government warned parents last year to bring additional documents just in case.

Unfortunately, single parents have also been found to pay more for their holidays by up to 33 per cent.