Originally Posted by
erik123
Getting a new passport for a kid at the passport agency is a huge pain (especially before summer travel season) and very time consuming (kid has to come and lines can be hours). You don't have time to use expedited service.
I would do it on return. Take a copy of the birth certificate on the trip just in case. I would be extremely surprised if it is an issue.
This is simply untrue.
With close in travel, you can obtain an appointment, present the proper paperwork and be out of the place in <1 hour. You can have your passport later in the day or pay to have it overnighted to you so that you (+ kid) don't have to hang around.
For all the criticisms of the system, the State Dept. can really hop to it when there is a need.
There are people flying tomorrow who get passports. 7 days from now is a breeze.