Obtaining a U.S. passport for your child will require slightly more work than it will take to get one for yourself. To start, both parents or guardians must be present when applying for the passport, except in certain circumstances that will be explained below. Every U.S. citizen needs a passport to enter and leave foreign countries, so even your infant will need to complete the following steps, which cannot be done by mail for first time applicants.
The first step is completing application form DS-11, which may be done either in writing or online. The requested personal information includes your child’s full name, date and place of birth, gender, phone number, travel plans and an emergency contact. Next, you must gather supporting documents to be presented at the time you submit the application at a passport office. You will be required to show: evidence of your child’s U.S. citizenship; proof of the parents’ or guardians’ relationship to the child; a photo ID of the parents/guardians or the child; a photocopy of identification documents; and one passport photo of your child.
Evidence of U.S. citizenship may be demonstrated by: a previously issued, undamaged passport; a certified birth certificate issued by the city, county or state; a consular report of birth abroad or certification of birth; a naturalization certificate; or a certificate of citizenship. To obtain certified copies, contact the registrar’s office of the state where your child was born, and be sure to get the “long form”. Evidence of parental relationship may be demonstrated by: the child’s U.S. birth certificate; foreign birth certificate; adoption decree; divorce/custody decree; or consular report of birth abroad of a U.S. citizen. The parent(s) or guardian(s) applying for the child’s passport must submit photo ID if the child does not have one, an undamaged passport or valid driver’s license will suffice.
If one parent/guardian is unable to appear, the DS-11 application must be accompanied by a signed, notarized form DS-3035: statement of consent from the non-applying parent/guardian. If one parent/guardian is absent and cannot be located, the applying parent must submit form DS-5525: statement of exigent/special family circumstances. The statement must explain in detail the non-applying parent/guardian’s unavailability and the recent efforts made by the applying parent to contact the unavailable party. The applying parent may also be required to provide evidence to document his/her claim of exigent or special circumstances. Evidence may be in the form of a custody order, incarceration order, or restraining order, for example. To protect against international parental child abduction, the Passport Agency processing the application may ask for additional details if the statement is determined to be insufficient.
If the minor has only one parent/guardian, evidence of sole authority to apply for the minor must be submitted with the application. Evidence may include: a U.S. or foreign birth certificate, consular report of birth abroad, or adoption decree, listing only the applying parent; a court order granting sole legal custody to the applying parent; a court order specifically permitting applying parent’s travel with the child; a judicial declaration of incompetence of the non-applying parent; or the death certificate of the non-applying parent.
If you are a parent or guardian and find yourself in need of obtaining a passport for your minor child, particularly if needed during the course of a divorce or paternity proceedings, please contact one our outstanding attorneys at The Orlando Law Group, P.L.
Spring is the perfect time to shed the chains that bind you and embark upon a new adventure. Whether it’s filing for bankruptcy, moving forward with your divorce, or starting the process of forming your own business, The Orlando Law Group has got you covered.
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It’s tax season once again! While many are seeing some nice hefty checks arrive in their mailbox from the federal and state levels of government, too few use that money to help aid their financial future. Investing in a bankruptcy attorney could help you escape the shackles of debt and give you a second chance in the financial world!
Couples fight about money. It happens in almost every relationship. Fighting over financial matters can lead couples to enter into the divorce process. Subsequent to a divorce, alimony and/or child support payments may be mandated by the court. But what happens to those domestic support obligations when the ex-spouse charged with paying them files for bankruptcy?
When one thinks of guardianship, it is often associated with minors whose parents have died or become incapacitated. However, adult guardianship does exist and it is an important process in which to safeguard the assets and quality of life in an individual who has lost the ability to care for themselves. 
Probate, the process of obtaining the court’s approval to pass property as instructed in a Will, is often misunderstood. Many people toss the term as though it is something to be feared and avoided at all costs. As such, there are many unsubstantiated rumors regarding the probate process. Many of them are like any other myth: a shred of truth that has been expounded upon until it’s false.
Medical insurance is a large expense for employers who provide that benefit. However, if you have older employees then employers can save money on their medical insurance, which seems counterintuitive.
You’ve likely heard of Search Engine Optimization, commonly referred to as SEO. The term is tossed around modern day marketing meetings on a fairly consistent basis, but with little understanding for the commitment and work required to mount a successful campaign. Misinformation about SEO runs rampant throughout the marketing world. But, despite this, SEO remains one of the most important, successful, returnable marketing tools available today!
A company’s employee handbook is a vital document that helps welcome new employees into the fold, while explaining the key expectations of their new employer. But when constructing such a significant tool that serves as the backbone of the onboarding process, it is important to watch your wording, so as not to unintentionally create a binding legal employment contract.
As a business owner, it is very easy to be caught up in the here and now. These papers must be filed NOW. These spreadsheets must be completed NOW. Deadlines rule all. But life’s greatest deadline comes at the end of the road, and if a business owner suddenly becomes incapacitated or dies, decades of hard work could be undermined. All the undue strife that can befall the associates and loved ones of an ill-prepared business owner can be prevented easily with the presence of a strong estate plan.
One of the most important decisions a person can make in regards to their estate plan is the choosing of an executor to carry out their wishes after they are gone. Choosing the right executor for your estate will help to make the transition seamless for your loved ones, and ensure that your wishes are met. So, what should one look for when assigning this vital role? What are the qualities that make an executor great? How can you select someone with full confidence, knowing that they will uphold your orders when you are not there to enforce them?
Divorce is not an easy process. Cleaving yourself from an unhealthy marriage can be costly, emotionally draining, and long. But the old adage states that a journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single step, and in terms of divorce, the first step is making a decision that it is time for a change. Ending your marriage ranks up there as one of the most difficult decisions a person can make. Many couples struggle with the decision for months and years before finally making the move. If you are at this crossroad, ask yourself if any of these five signs of a failing marriage are present in your life. 
Another year is coming to a close, and 2016 has been an eventful 
Bad times fall upon us all. Whether we’re embroiled in a messy divorce, custody hearing, criminal or civil suit, or just planning a will and estate plan, the question always comes up: “Do I really need a lawyer?” 
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At The Orlando Law Group, we aid our clients in various situations ranging from estate planning to business law, family issues, elder law, veteran law and more. Sometimes, events such as these can seem daunting and overwhelming, but on days like today, when Americans gather to give thanks, it’s important to focus on the positive and look to the future with thankful optimism.
When it comes to dividing up your property and assets, the question becomes do you need a living trust or a will? The simple answer is that you might require both, depending on the size of your estate and the amount of control you would like to exert over the process.
Many times, veterans of the United States Military, who fight to defend our freedom overseas, return home with injuries sustained in the line of duty which prevent them from returning to the workforce. When this happens, they are owed disability pay. Unfortunately, it is estimated that nearly 70% of all veteran disability claims filed are initially denied by the Department of Veterans Affairs. What follows can be a long nightmare filled with paperwork, appeals and a lot of anguish. Hiring an attorney skilled in veteran law can help make this process easier and faster.
America has been and always will be the land of opportunity. This is a country that many dream of and journey to in an attempt to secure their own futures, as well as prosperity for their families. But immigration law can be a harrowing field to journey through on one’s own. Attorneys who specialize in immigration law are an invaluable resource in your quest to attain permanent residency and US citizenship.
When starting a business, whether online or at a physical location, it’s important to remember one simple truth. A business attorney is essential for the safety and success of your company.
Everything that has a beginning also has an end. This old adage rings especially true in reference to business ventures.
On April 28, 2016, the Florida Supreme Court rendered its decision in Castellanos v. Next Door Company. Shortly thereafter the Florida Supreme Court rendered its decision in Westphal v. City of St. Petersburg on June 9, 2016. The Castellanos case had been tried on July 3, 2012 and then oral argument took place on November 5, 2014. Westphal was tried on June 22, 2012 with oral argument occurring on June 5, 2014. So, these cases sat pending for 540 days and 735 days respectively since oral argument. These two decisions have now turned back the clock on major provisions of the workers’ compensation law.