This is a reminder for everyone to be prepared and get your US Passports.

For parents of child actors, be sure your child and at least one parent or guardian who will be traveling with your child has a US Passport. It's no fun to book a job and then suddenly lose it to another actor because the job is filming outside of the USA and you don't have your passports ready to go. I takes up to 6 weeks to receive the passport for the lower price of approximately 112.00. If you need to get it in a hurry it's an additional 60.00 per passport plus overnight delivery costs. Things happen quickly in this industry and you need to be ready to go at a moments notice. Be sure to read the passport application instructions carefully. If your child is under 15, both parents must be present when you apply or you must have a notarized letter from the parent who cannot be there in person. Passports will soon be required for travel anywhere outside of the USA.

The proposed timeline is:

January 23, 2007, for all air and sea travel to or from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda.

January 1, 2008, it will be extended to all land border crossings as well as air and sea travel.

Also, once you receive your passport, list US Passport at the top or bottom of your child's resume. http://travel.state.gov

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Mominbiz,

Reminder bump! Don't be left behind because you didn't get your passport. Get started with the process TODAY! Be sure you have your original certified birth certificate. If you don't, you must send away for another one. A copy will not be acceptable. After submitting the passport application, it takes at least 6 weeks to receive it by mail unless you want to pay an additional 60.00 per person to receive it faster.

Just wanted to light a fire under some people I know that haven't done this yet!!! Love ya!

Hi Mombiz,

Waiting to get another birth certificate in the mail so we can renew her passport. My daughter has a huge audition for an international dance company.I called them up and told them she was only 17 but they still want to see her though they wont hire her until shes 18.Should I list on her resume that she has a passport since by then she would have one?

Dolllover

I'm still waiting to get a copy of my daughters birth certificate too but to get her working papers and a bank account. As a matter of fact it's been so long I think I need to call and follow up!
I would not list passport as it takes weeks for the process unless you put a rush on it. You could say "passport in process" or "pending" or something like that so they know you're aware of the need for one but until you have it I wouldn't put it on there.

Don't know if you mentioned it, but the kids passports have shorter expiration dates than the adult's And parents remember you need one too to accompany a minor if they are working abroad. (Probably obvious :-)

*Good reminder Bump*

Something I should have ALREADY done, and I am waiting for nothing! I am committed to doing it the first week after school closes, since I do need the time to do it and school lets out in two weeks. Thanks for the reminder, Mom. I have been feeling like I may see Canada soon (just a hunch) Do I need a passport to go to Canada?

Thanks for the reminder--my dd has a valid passport but I need to remember to keep an eye on the expiration date.

Also, make sure your kids have the correct state work permits if they are under 18.

Hi KatieO -

You don't need it for Canada just yet (check dates in post above) but trust me, it saves time and is much less of a hassel getting back into the USA if you have your passport. If you don't have it yet you'll need a photo ID and birth certificate. A friend of ours didn't have a passport yet and getting back into the USA took him an additional hour or two. Now, that may have only been his experience, but to me, I would rather avoid the hassel.

Getting your passport really isn't that difficult. I'm not sure where you live, but in many cities it can be taken care of at your local library. You can make an appointment or sometimes they have walk-in times. This time of year is a little busier so I would call now to set up a time. Go for it. Just do it. You'll be sooooooooo glad you did.

To EVERYONE - Another example of why to get your passport before you really "need" it... my son went on a call for Pirates of the Caribbean 2/3 and they weren't seeing anyone who did not have a passport since they would have been leaving for the Bahamas within the week. Even though technically, you can still travel to some places without them, production companies don't want to deal with the hassel of actors without passports.

Hi Everyone -

HEADS UP!

I wanted to point out to the parents who may already have their passports...

Be sure to check your expiration date on your passports and renew them 6 months before they are due to expire. There are some countries that will not accept a US passport that is going to expire within 6 months.

http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/get/renew/renew_833.html
-Taken directly from this site...
-Some countries require that your passport be valid at least six months beyond the dates of your trip and/or have two to four blank visa/stamp pages. Some airlines will not allow you to board if these requirements are not met.

*Reminder Bump*

* * * ANOTHER PASSPORT REMINDER * * *

Just heard it on the news today...
as of January 23, 2007, air traverlers to and from Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean will need a passport in order to cross the US border.

New Year's Resolution for all actors and at least one parent or guardian of a child actor who does not yet have one...
GET YOUR PASSPORT!!!

Thanks for the info. You are a wealth of knowledge and experience. It's appreciated.

You're quite welcome, Serjil. And thank you for the kind words. Glad to help when I can.

Always have an up-to-date passport for you and your child - just like you need to keep his/her working papers current. My daughter was called for a spot in Argentina - no way she could do this if one of us first needed to apply for a passport!

You never know when you'll need to leave the country quickly!