Before you apply for a minor's passport visit the State Department page for
minor information.
The minor and both parents (or guardians) must appear in person to submitForm DS-11 at an acceptance facility or a passport agency.
Primary evidence of U.S Citizenship is the same as adults.
Evidence of Relationship
Parent(s)/Guardian(s) must submit evidence of their relationship to the minor applicant: (One of the following)
- Minor's certified U.S. birth certificate with both parents' names
- Minor's certified Foreign Birth Certificate with both parents' names*
- Minor's Report of Birth Abroad with both parents' names Adoption Decree with adopting parents' names*
- Court Order establishing custody
- Court Order establishing guardianship *
- All foreign documents submitted with a passport application must be accompanied by an English translation (formal or informal)
NOTES:
- Previous U.S. passports are not acceptable as evidence of relationship
-
Evidence of a legal name change must be submitted, if the name of a parent/guardian has changed
since the original documents were issued (e.g. photocopy of a marriage certificate, etc.)
Additional Information to provide Parental Consent
Both parents must provide consent authorizing passport issuance for a minor under age 16. See the scenarios below, and
follow the instruction that best applies to your circumstance:
Both Parents MUST
Appear in person with the minor
Sign Form DS-11 in front of an Acceptance Agent
One Parent MUST
A0ppear in person with the minor
Sign Form DS-11 in front of an Acceptance Agent
Submit the second parents' notarized
Statement of Consent (Form DS-3053)
One Parent (with sole legal custody) MUST
Appear in person with the minor
Sign Form DS-11 in front of an Acceptance Agent
Submit primary evidence of sole authority to apply for the child with one of the following:
- Minor's certified U.S. or foreign birth certificate listing only the applying parent
-
Consular Report of Birth Abroad
(Form FS-240)
or Certification of Birth Abroad
(Form DS-1350) listing only the applying parent
- Court order granting sole custody to the applying parent (unless child's travel is restricted by that order)
- Adoption decree (if applying parents is sole adopting parent)
- Court order specifically permitting applying parent's or guardian's travel with the child
- Judicial declaration of incompetence of non-applying parent
- Death certificate of non-applying parent
- NOTE:
If none of the above documentation is available, the applying parent must submit Form DS-3053 stating
why the non-applying parent/guardian's consent cannot be obtained
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 of affidavit is from only one parent/guardian, the third-party must present evidence of sole custody of the authorizing parent/guardian.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The written consent from the non-applying parent that accompanies an application for a new passport must be less than 3
months old. New written consent from the non-applying parent must be obtained and submitted with any future passport application for the
minor under age 16.