- my iParenting
- quick clicks
- home style today articles
- home style today q&a
- traveling today articles
- traveling today q&a
- community & groups
- research baby names
- prepare a birth plan
- content channels
- ip channel rss feeds
- read birth stories
- read parenting stories
- recommended books
- e-newsletters
- safety recalls
- ip diaries
- ip store
- mom of the month
- dad of the month
- editor's letter
- letters to the editor
From Our Sponsors
- e-newsletters
- Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters
- award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
Kids and Passports
Don't Leave Home Without Them
By Donna Smith
Children who are born abroad can attain "dual nationality" if they are born in a foreign country to at least one U.S. citizen parent. In this case, the child may be a citizen of both the United States and the country of birth.
The U.S. State Department recommends that the birth of an American child abroad be reported to the nearest U.S. embassy as soon as possible in order to establish the child's citizenship at birth. The official citizenship document, known as a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, can be acquired at any U.S. embassy or consulate. The document cannot be issued if the child has been brought back into the States, or if the applicant is over the age of 18.
Before departing, parents should make a photocopy of the ID pages of each passport so they are easier to replace in the event of theft or loss. It is also a good idea to carry two extra passport photos and carry these items in a place separate from the originals. The State Department also recommends that travelers who intend to stay in one country for more than two weeks register with the local embassy in order to facilitate assistance in the event of an emergency.
"Some people collect coins and match books; I've always collected stamps in my passport," says father and world traveler Max Lawson. "It's kind of like a fun-pass at the world's greatest amusement park. What I think is cool is that, because we've been traveling since he was born, our son already has a great start on his own passport-stamp collection, and he's only 5."
Want to see more?
- Passport, Please: Everything You Need to Know About Passports
- Immunizing Children for International Travel: Exploring the World Safely with Your Children
- A Baby Abroad: International Travel with Infants
- Globe Trotting: Gaining a Deeper Sense of Family Through Travel
- Check out our Article Library.
- Talk about it!