Your parents are visiting a different country and something happens and you need to get there as soon as possible to help, but you cannot go. You have the money, you can get a flight, but you do not have your passport. The single most important item that each person needs to have at all times is a valid passport for yourself and each member of your family.

You do not know when something will happen to yourself or another family member that necessitates having an immediate need to leave your current country. You would not even have the time to go to the passport office and apply for an expedited copy. Possibly you will be in such distress over the reason for having to leave that you will not be able to fully function…or the government offices are closed.

It is always important to have a plan for where you will go and what you will do in an emergency. International flights or travel should always be an option and for that to be possible, you must have a valid passport for every member of your family. Can you imagine going to the airport and getting on a plane with your spouse but leaving your children standing there because they do not have a passport? I know so many families who have passports for the parents, but they do not consider that their kids also must be available to leave the country at a moment’s notice.

My brother recently was going to Norway for a few months to work on a project for six weeks. He had been doing this various times throughout the year and my sister-in-law was getting tired of being left home with their girls, so they decided to take the whole family. The girls, however, did not have passports. They had to do three expedited passports in just a few days and almost did not get them back before it was time to fly out. Had they already had the passports completed, it would have been no problem and less cost.

To get passports for your children in the United States, it is relatively easy:

1. Fill Out Form DS-11
2. Provide U.S. Citizenship Evidence
3. Bring a Photocopy of U.S. Citizenship Evidence
4. Show Parental Relationship
5. Present ID
6. Bring a Photocopy of ID
7. Show Parental Consent
   Both parents/guardians must authorize the issuance of the child's passport. The best way to do this is for both parents/guardians to go with the child in person to apply for the passport.
8. Provide a Photo
9. Calculate Fees $105
10. Submit Your Completed Application
    Source

You literally never know why you might need or want to leave the country, but you want to be able to do that with all the members of your family should the need arise. You want to be prepared in case this happens. To be prepared, you must have a valid passport ready for each child and adult in your family. An added bonus to having your passports ready is that it makes it easier if you decide to go somewhere exotic for a vacation…or even to take your spouse on a secret getaway (my dad tried to do this but my mom's passport had just expired, so he had to tell her the plan)!

What is the one thing you think everyone should have?

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