Special Requirements for Children Under Age 16 Minor Children must Apply in Person
All children regardless of age (including newborns and infants) must have their own passport.
For application requirements for children ages 16 & 17 see instructions for First Time applicants
1. Provide Application Form DS-11
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NOTE: Please do NOT sign Form DS-11 the Passport Acceptance Agent instructs you to do so. If your child is unable to sign his or her own name, a parent may sign for the child by writing the child's name on the signature line and signing the parent's name above the child's name. Example: Jane Doe for Child M. Doe Signature of Bearer |
2. Submit Proof of U.S. Citizenship (for minors under age 16) |
For Minors under Age 16 you must establish proof of citizenship AND proof of relationship. Previous U.S. passports are not acceptable as proof of relationship to the applying parent(s)/guardian(s). See number 3 below for proof of relationship. All documents submitted with the application as evidence of U.S. citizenship will be returned with the issued passport. See Processing Times. For proof of citizenship, you will need to submit one of the following:
NOTE: A certified birth certificate has a registrar's raised, embossed, Impressed or multicolored seal, registrar's signature, and the Date the certificate was filed with the registrar's office, which must be within 1 year of your birth A Delayed Birth Certificate filed more than one year after your birth may be acceptable if it:
If you do NOT have a previous U.S. passport or a certified birth certificate, you will need :
Issued by the state with your name, date of birth, which years were searched for a birth record and that there is no birth certificate on file for you.
NOTES:
NOTE: The following are NOT proof of citizenship
Click here for information on the Child Citizenship Act of 2000
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3. Present Evidence of Child's Relationship to Parents/Guardians (for minors under age 16) |
Note: Previous U.S. passports are not acceptable as proof of relationship to the applying parent(s)/guardian(s). You will need to submit one of the following:
NOTE: If the parent(s)'/guardian's name(s) is/are other than that on these documents, evidence of legal name change is required. |
4. Provide Parental Identification (for minors under age 16) |
Each parent or guardian must submit one of the following:
NOTE: Your Social Security Card does NOT prove your identity . If none of these are available , you will need:
(ex: a combination of documents, such as your Social Security card, credit card, bank card, library card, etc.) AND
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5. Present Parental Application Permission Documentation (for minors under age 16) |
1. Both parents must appear together and sign or 2. One parent appears, signs, and submits second parent's notarized statement of consent authorizing passport issuance for the child (a notarized Form DS-3053, Statement of Consent: Issuance of a Passport to a Minor Under Age 16, or a notarized written statement with the same information on a sheet of paper from the non-appearing parent) or 3. One parents appears, signs, and submits primary evidence of sole authority to apply (such as one of the following):
If none of the above documentation is available, the applying parent/guardian should submit a Form DS-3053: Statement of Consent or Special Circumstances: Issuance of a Passport to a Minor Under Age 16.. NOTE: A third-party in loco parentis applying on behalf of a minor under the age of 16 must submit a notarized written statement or affidavit from both parents or guardians authorizing a third-party to apply for a passport. When the statement or affidavit is from only one parent/guardian, the third-party must present evidence of sole custody of the authorizing parent/guardian. |
6. Provide Two Passport Photos |
Your photographs must be :
Click here for information on acceptable digitized photos. NOTE: Vending machine photos are not generally acceptable |
7. Pay the Applicable Fee |
Click here to see current passport fees Methods of Payment - Both fees and the surcharge are combined into one payment to the ''U.S. Department of State'':
Note: If abroad, U.S. Embassies and Consulates accept the foreign currency equivalent, or a check drawn on a U.S. bank. At our over 9,000 Passport Acceptance Facilities - You pay the passport application fee and the security surcharge to the ''U.S. Department of State'' and the execution fee to the facility where you are applying. For Passport Application Fee:
For Execution Fee:
Expedite Fee: ( See How to Get Your Passport in a Hurry .) |
8. Provide a Social Security Number |
If you do not provide your Social Security Number, the Internal Revenue Service may impose a $500 penalty. If you have any questions please call your nearest IRS office. |
Where to Apply for a Passport in the U.S.
Most Passport Agencies now accept applications only by appointment. Click here for more information.