All passport applicants under 16 must apply in person using Form DS-11.
Please note: Passports for children under 16 are only valid for 5 years.
You must submit one of the following U.S. citizenship documents for your child. Photocopies and notarized copies are not acceptable.
You must submit documentation that lists the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) of the child applying for a passport.
The following may be used to show parental relationship:
The parents/guardians must present one of the following identification documents (IDs) to the acceptance agent:
Please note: If you present out-of-state identification, you must present an additional ID.
Submit a photocopy of the front and back of each ID that you present to the acceptance agent.
Both parents/guardians must authorize the issuance of the child's passport. The best way to do this is for both parents/guardians to go with the child in person to apply for the passport.
What if both parents/guardians cannot appear in person?
| You have sole legal authority | You must submit evidence of this with the application. Examples include:
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| One parent unable to appear | If one parent/guardian cannot go with the child to apply for the passport, they can give permission by completing Form DS-3053 “Statement of Consent." You must submit the completed form with the child's passport application. The parent that cannot go with the child must:
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| You cannot locate the other parent | You must submit Form DS-5525 “Statement of Exigent/Special Family Circumstances."
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| Neither parent able to appear | A third party may apply for the child's passport with a notarized statement from both parents/guardians giving that third party permission to apply for the child.
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Please Note: Written authorization from the parent that cannot appear in person must be less than three months old.
You must provide one photo of the child with the application.
Child Applicants:
| Product | Form | Application Fee | Execution Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passport Book | DS-11 | $100 | $35 |
| Passport Card | DS-11 | $15 | $35 |
| Passport Book & Card | DS-11 | $115 | $35 |
Please note: The application fee and the execution fee are paid separately.
For fees of other applications or services, please see Passport Fees.
You and your child must submit the completed application, including citizenship evidence, photocopy of ID, photo, and fees in person at a passport acceptance facility.
Your child may be eligible to apply in person at a passport agency if they are traveling soon.
No, children applicants under 16 are not eligible to mail in their passport applications. Additionally, the Department of State does not currently have the option to submit passport applications online.
Some acceptance facilities require appointments and others do not. We recommend calling the acceptance facility ahead of time to verify their hours, acceptable forms of payment, and appointment requirements. Find your acceptance facility.
No, your passports will be mailed back separately. In addition, your citizenship evidence generally will be mailed back separately from your new passport.
Newly-issued passport books are delivered using Priority Mail with Delivery Confirmation, unless you pay for Priority Express return service when you apply.
All passport cards are mailed using First Class Mail. Passport cards cannot be delivered using Priority Express.
Families may write one check or money order to the U.S. Department of State for their passport application fees if they are applying in person at the same time. The check or money order must include the name and date of birth of each applicant.
All other applicants must submit individual checks or money orders to the U.S. Department of State for their passport application fees. Please include the applicant's name and date of birth on the check or money order.
You and your child may have different last names, as long as the parental relationship document lists your full name. If your name has changed from that on the parental relationship document, please submit proof of your legal name change (e.g. marriage certificate or court order).
Parents may enroll their U.S. citizen children under the age of 18 in the Children’s Passport Issuance Alert Program (CPIAP), one of the Department of State’s most important tools for preventing international parental child abduction. If a passport application is submitted for a child who is enrolled in CPIAP, we attempt to alert the parent(s) to verify whether the they approve passport issuance.