Renewal of minor passport...do you get the orginal passport book back?

Question: My son's passport book and picture (he got when he was 1 year old), has sentimental meaning to us. When we renew it do we need to turn it in? Do we get it back with his picture intact? I'd like to keep it and I'm not sure if we can.

Answer: You are only required to submit a passport if you are apply for a renewal by mail. Since passports issued to minors cannot be renewed by mail, you must apply for a new passport for your son at a passport application acceptance facility using form DS-11.

One of the requirements when apply for a new passport is proof of citizenship, This can be either a your son's previously issued passport or a certified copy of his birth certificate (photocopies are not acceptable). Whichever document you choose to use, it will be returned to you.

While infrequent, there have been cases in which submitted documents did not make it back to their original owner. Supporting documents are usually mailed separately from the new passport.

A couple of things you can do to protect against this is to mail the packet by a traceable delivery method and use a secure means of packaging, such as a Tyvek envelope.

Since your son was only 1 when his most recent passport was issued, you may be asked to provide pictures showing age progression from the age in the previous passport to the present age.

Also, both parents must appear before the agent when applying for a passport for a minor. In only one parent can appear, then a notarized consent form from the non-present parent must be presented or legal proof of sole custody.

For complete instructions, please click the link below.

How to Get a Passport for a Child