What do I need to get my newborn baby a US Passport?

What proceeding do you need to go through if the father of your baby will not allow him to get a passport?

• Answer:

  Hi there, I always seem to kind of "answer all around" a question, and not hit the central part of the question like a "bullseye". The reason for this is that the central part (the strict legal information--laws, etc) tend to get answered, and it these "related areas" that are very important, but missed. I try to catch things I feel are likely to get missed. In any legal situation, people frequently "rush" to the legal approach. Maybe that is where you'll end with this. But, anytime I am given the responsibility to input a problem, I am going to make darn sure we look at all the related issues. This is vitally important. First, are we sure we want to take a "legal approach"? I have no problem if you are sure--but want you to remember there could be alternate methods. Can it be "talked out"? Just asking--not suggesting. Just think on that. If you go the legal route, here is where you can get answer, as it is impossible to give the complete answer here--where you live changes things, as we are from all over the world. Individual circumstances--ages and everything else imaginable could change the answer. So, let's cover the best places to get information that I know of, and not all will be useful--fine, as I cover a lot of things, and you can just reject the useless options. Attorney, of course, the obvious. Some attorneys are very liberal with their time on an initial visit (first visit cheap). Call--lots of calls. I found, within one small town, first visit cost varied from $25--to $100. Paralegals legal forms and kits sold at stationary stores, free legal aid groups, and more. Of course, Google everything--everything you need to know for the rest of your life. Friend, the Internet is, literally, every day changing and growing. There are legal sites. They are good. This next is your best, perhaps, tip ever on lega: Go to Law Firms Web sites. Many offer free advice, prited on their Web Sites, on the subject that is their specialty. I found, on one site, pages and pages of what amounted to a "free mini crash course". Those sites can be found faster when you Google for starters, and find a list of Law Firms in that specialty--click, click, and learn. Friend, as much as we all think we know the Internet, we have not, any of us, even a clue of the amount of free information. We couldn't possibly know, since there are new sites being added faster than we can get to them all. The Law firms Web Sites, with free lessons, is the best part of this answer. Once you find the law, remember any part of your situation should get special care. I am thinking, and may have forgotten some other examples--thinking of the written work, if any, like letters you will want to write related to all this. For letter writing, Google "letter writing", or "legal letter writing", and you can get free examples of exactly how to write in the correct format. This, also, on other letters than just legal ones (job resumes, and dozens of other)-- all free. Armed with all the above, you may be able to write a very smart sounding legal letter to the opposition, and persuade them to give in--or work with you. Once they know you have done your research, and know your stuff now, they might give in. Friend Jeff