For Children 15 Years or Younger

Applying for a passport for your minor child, who is 15 years or younger, requires additional documentation to be provided by the child's parents or legal guardian and both parents to be present. (An exception is allowed with required documentation. Read on for more information.)

If your child is 16 or 17 years old, follow the standard passport application process used for adults.

Appearance Requirement

• Each minor child must be present when applying for the child's U.S. Passport.
• Both of the child's parents or legal guardian(s) must also appear in person. An exception is allowed, with required documentation, when parent cannot appear. Read on for more information.

Paperwork Requirement

For children 15 years and younger, the adult applying for the child's U.S. Passport must bring original or certified copies of the following documents.

• Child's U.S. Passport application (Form DS-11), completed in black ink only
• Evidence of the child's U.S. Citizenship
  • Original or certified copy of child's Birth Certificate
  • Original Naturalization document of child
• Previously issued passport, if the child has one
• Evidence of child's relationship to the parent or legal guardian(s)
• Valid, government-issued photo ID for the parent or legal guardian(s), both the original and a photocopy.

If one parent cannot appear, you must bring ONE of the following.

• Death certificate of second parent, if deceased (original or certified copy)
• Evidence of authority to apply for passport, such as a court order (must be a complete and certified copy)
• Written statement explaining in detail the other parent's unavailability
  Use Form DS-5525, Statement of Special Family Circumstances.
• Notarized written statement from absent parent who is consenting to the passport issuance.
  Use Form DS-3053, Statement of Consent. This form must:
  • Be dated within the past 90 days; AND
  • Include a photocopy of the front and back of the consenting parent's valid, government-issued photo ID.

Passport Fees

Check the current passport fees for the cost to apply for a child's U.S. Passport, and the optional fee to expedite the application process.

Passport Photos

We are happy to offer passport photo services for all passport applications and renewals. Learn more about our passport photo service.

Renewal of Child's Passport

The passport of a minor child, if issued when they were 15 years or younger, is valid for 5 years, and cannot be renewed. A minor child, age 15 years or younger, will have to re-apply, following the same application process, each time they need a new U.S. Passport until they are of age to apply for an adult passport.

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