I wanna go to Jordan

[amal 4]

As the title reads..I wanna go to Jordan BUT there are a couple things holding us back.

1. I still have to change my name in my passport and am not sure what to do.

2. I have to get a passport for my son. I have a notarized letter from his father (from back when we got divorced) that states that my son is allowed to travel inside or out of the continental USA at any time as long as he is with me and as long as we come back so he can get his visitation each year. Will that letter suffice as an approval from my sons dad to get a passport???

My plan is to try to secretly save up enough money for all 3 of us to take a surprise 2 week vacation to Jordan (do u think that's long enough?) and give it as a gift to my husband next year for Eid. What do u all think ???

Thanks for ur help yet again

amal

[Aymsgirl 0]

As the title reads..I wanna go to Jordan BUT there are a couple things holding us back.

1. I still have to change my name in my passport and am not sure what to do.

2. I have to get a passport for my son. I have a notarized letter from his father (from back when we got divorced) that states that my son is allowed to travel inside or out of the continental USA at any time as long as he is with me and as long as we come back so he can get his visitation each year. Will that letter suffice as an approval from my sons dad to get a passport???

My plan is to try to secretly save up enough money for all 3 of us to take a surprise 2 week vacation to Jordan (do u think that's long enough?) and give it as a gift to my husband next year for Eid. What do u all think ???

Thanks for ur help yet again

amal

Amal...I think that your ex has to be present when you sign the papers for the passport. I have custody of my two older children and wanted to get a passport for them and was told their father had to sign for it in front of the person doing the paperwork. I think that letter is great to have just in case he caused any problems with you taking him out of the country due to a divorce decree. Mine states that permission has to be given for him to take them over state line, not me but permission for international travel.

That is an awesome idea if you can save secretly. Best wishes!!!!

[sara535 15]

I think that would be a great surprise! go for it!

looks like if you have sole custody you can apply for the passport for him by yourself :

passport for minors

[Aymerlu 3]

The passport change was easy. I just had to bring the original of our marriage certificate, my old passport and pay the fee. I just just bummed because now I have to get all new stamps in my passport! I liked all the stamps I had from other countries.

Good luck with the passport for your son. I'd try the letter you have first to see what happens. At least you have that. My ex is a poo-poo head and won't even give us permission so when we have a little extra $ we have to hire an attorney so we can get a judge to choose. Shouldn't be a big deal since he sees them maybe 5-10 times a year and lives 3 miles away!

[MrsAmera 41]

Sounds like a great surprise! If you have sole custody and can prove that through court papers what have you than the other parent does not need to be present (this is what I did with my son). The only caution that I have (totally not wanting him to rain on your parade) is that if it was my husband he would not be content with 2 weeks, with me going for 2 weeks yea ok, but he would have to stay at least a month. I dunno if your husband is like that - maybe toss a few out there just to see what his reaction is. Something like "Hey how long do you think a good vacation overseas would be?"

[Nothing1234 2]

Amal! That sounds like an awesome surprise. I think 2 weeks would be just fine and what a fantastic gift for your family. I would just have a hard time keeping that a secret...LOL. I'm very bad at keeping gifts a secret....I get WAYYY TOOO excited.

[~Jess~ 0]

There is a form on the website for passports that u can get your ex to sign and have notarized and get it back to you so u dont have any problems.

I think 3wks to a mth might be better but if u only have 2wks, its better then nothing and will be an awesome suprise!

[S and S 12]

I know I just sent off for my passport with the name change yesterday. I am expiditing mine since I will go next month, but it wasn't too hard. I just got two passport photos, filled out the application, sent the old passport, and my marriage contract. Oh, and the money, of course. Since I am expiditing it, the fee was about $150. Hopefully I get the passport back soon.

It is a great idea what you are doing and I am sure your husband will appreciate it.

[amal 4]

Thanks for the input. I thought about 3 weeks to a month but I'm not sure we can afford to be gone so long. I think I'll toss out some dates to him and see what he thinks.

I"ll be checking out that link as soon as I'm done writing this post, thanks Sara!

Good advice to have the EX send in that form too...

150 bux!!! holy cow!!! Do u go to the post office to get passport photos??

AND I'm guessing by Amys post that they'll take my old passport away?? maaaaan that sucks...i wanna keep my stamps from my first trip to Jordan....*sigh*

I'll keep you all posted on the surprise and how its coming along.... muwahahahahaha

[anitacastillo 0]

I don't think they keep the old passport.

When I renewed mine last year, I sent in the application, $$, pics, old passport, etc to the State Dept --- and received the old one back with a hole punch in that. I think that hole makes it invalid - which it is due to the expired date as well.

Happy Planning!

[lion_lioness 0]

I have had to update my passport twice - you get the old ones back (but they put a hole in it to show it's an old/unused passport). For my son, I had an oooollld letter from his dad and that was good enough. I don't even think it was notarized.

I think it's a great idea and a really nice gift

Edited September 9, 2008 by lion_lioness

[S and S 12]

Thanks for the input. I thought about 3 weeks to a month but I'm not sure we can afford to be gone so long. I think I'll toss out some dates to him and see what he thinks.

I"ll be checking out that link as soon as I'm done writing this post, thanks Sara!

Good advice to have the EX send in that form too...

150 bux!!! holy cow!!! Do u go to the post office to get passport photos??

AND I'm guessing by Amys post that they'll take my old passport away?? maaaaan that sucks...i wanna keep my stamps from my first trip to Jordan....*sigh*

I'll keep you all posted on the surprise and how its coming along.... muwahahahahaha

Yeah, not cheap for doing the passport, but I need it soon. If you don't expedite it is much cheaper. I had to pay about $60 to expedite and another $15 so they will overnight it back to me. Not sure how fast they are returning them with expedite. I've heard anything from two weeks to four weeks which is cutting it close for me.

I got the photos done at Walgreens. There is no line and they do a great job. I always use them for passport photos when I need them.

[*Maureen* 0]

do NOT get your photos done at the post office! they are crooks!!! and make sure your documents are originals.