renew my passports

We all went down to the Neighborhood Center this morning and submitted Max’s passport application! The building is brand-new, there is parking everywhere and the office was empty except for us! We walked right up to the window, handed in all the paperwork, swore our oath (as Max’s parents) got our signatures witnessed and were on our way in about ten minutes! Max’s passport should come in 4-6 weeks. Oh it feels so good to have this complete!

Got my passport Saturday! It has a microchip in it with all my personal information, whew. The pages are very fancy with etched background pictures of flags, eagles, moon-landings etc. Hugely patriotic. We have all everything to apply for our son’s passport – we just have to go (all of us) and apply in person now.

This was one of those goals I expected to accomplish in about a week! After all it’s just a matter of DOING these things: getting the pictures, filling out the forms and mailing them with the fee. What could be complicated about that? My application has been received and is in-process. So time to focus on our son’s application. Last night we took him to Kinko’s to get his photos taken. We were lucky to get a patient, easily amused woman who didn’t mind that our son fidgeted, looked away at the last minute and generally made getting a decent picture a challenge! After about four tries she got a good one though! I have to find the two copies of his birth certificate I received – I thought I’d put them “in a safe place”. . . I just need to remember which one now!

I sent my renewal application by registered mail this morning! Now to get our son’s picture taken and his application filled out. And then an adventure to the local passport office. . . So this is halfway accomplished!

I have my photos, an official copy of the marriage license, my old passport and the forms I need (not filled out yet) for the renewal and name change.

for both Max and me. Need passport photos. Found a place near the applications office that’s open 24/7 so we can get photos anytime! Since Max is a minor we either have to provide a notary signature or both of us go to the applications office. No big deal – just some extra planning. And be sure there’s a fun activity for Max so it’s not all waiting in offices and other silly grown-up stuff.

My husband has his passport current. Mine needs to be updated (and maybe renewed) with my married name. Want to get one for our son. Took a detour through town the other day and noticed an out-of-the-way passports/municipal office! Which means I can avoid the downtown traffic nightmare! Yay!

do the u.s. one too