More and more families are traveling together internationally and there’s plenty of reasons to do so. The memories you’ll make and the experiences you’ll have are enriching beyond any other opportunity in the world. But before you can hit the high seas on a Mediterranean cruise or catch the next flight to the beaches of Mexico, you gotta have passports for everyone in your family. Here are some things you gotta know about getting passports for you and your family.

5 Important Things To Know about Getting Passports for Your Family

1. Plan ahead.

You can’t just book a trip a month out and plan on your passports lining up. The process takes time and that timetable is very often unpredictable. A safe bet is to apply for passports at least six months before your vacation. Or even better, just do it now, even though you may not have a trip planned. You never know when the opportunity will arise that you’ll want to or need to travel outside of the country. Many parents have passports for themselves, but it’s highly recommended that children have them as well.

How do you know if you need a passport book or a passport card? A passport book is required for all international travel by air where a passport card is adequate for all international travel by land or sea to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.

Expedited service is available and costs an extra $60 + delivery costs.

2. Prepare all documents.

There are quite a few hoops to jump through when applying for a passport, let along family passports. Make sure to visit the usa.gov website for all forms and requirements. *Smart Tip: Have a manilla folder or envelope for each person in your family’s documents. Here’s a checklist of everything you need:

Form DS-11. The easiest way to do this is to fill it out online. You can also fill out the application by hand (print here) but DO NOT SIGN it until you are in front of a passport agent.
Birth Certificate for each family member. Heads up: your birth certificates will be taken at the passport office and returned to you via mail 2-3 weeks later.
Driver’s License for each eligible member.
Color passport photo. You can get this done at Walgreens, Rite Aid, CVS, etc.
Check for passport fee.
Proof of Relationship. When applying for a child’s passport, you need to provide a birth certificate or other form of proof that you are the child’s parent.
Parental Consent Form. You AND your spouse will both need to be present to sign a consent form. If one parent can’t be there, you can have provide a notarized consent form.

3. Call for an appointment.

As you are preparing all documents, make sure to call your local passport office for an appointment. You must present all documentation and payment in person. There’s no easy way around this one. Many offices have specific hours, so MAKE SURE to find your local passport agency and call ahead for an appointment.

Everyone applying for a passport needs to be present, so bring a few snacks and distractions for the kids because there will inevitably be some waiting.

4. How long are my family passports good for?

Under age 16: five years
Over age 16: ten years

*Please note: some countries require a 6-month validity beyond the date of your travel. Meaning if your passport will expire six months after your trip or less, you will need to renew before your trip.

5. After you get your passports, make photocopies.

Things get lost all the time and the last thing you want to deal with on a trip is a lost passport. As soon as you get your family’s passports, make photocopies (a few, just to be safe). Take a copy on your trip with you and leave a copy with a responsible family member at home.