Citizen Services
Passports
Applying for Passports for U.S. Citizens Under the Age of 16
To enhance the accurate identification of passport applicants and aid in the prevention of international child abduction and trafficking, the Department of State requires the personal appearance of all minors applying for U.S. passports. This applies even if the child has previously been issued a passport.
To submit a passport application for a child under the age of 16, both parents, or the child's legal guardian(s), must appear and present all of the following:
- A completed unsigned passport application DS-11;
- Two recent identical color photographs (see Photograph Requirements);
- Evidence of the child's U.S. citizenship;
- Evidence of the child's relationship to parents or guardian(s);
- Personal identification documents for both parents;
- A fee of $85 for each applicant under 16 years of age.
If only one parent appears, the parent must also submit one of the following:
- The second, non-appearing parent's unequivocal and unconditional consent to passport issuance for the child in the form of a notarized statement in English, Form DS-3053;
- Primary evidence of sole authority to apply;
- A written statement (made under penalty of perjury) explaining the second parent's unavailability.
Once the application is approved by the U.S. consular officer, it will be forwarded to the U.S. for issuance of a five-year, photo-digitized passport. Allow up to one month for passport processing.