How to Apply for a Passport for a Kid

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1Gathering Required Documents and Photos

2Filling Out and Submitting the Application

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Tips and Warnings

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Applying for a U.S. passport for a kid requires parental or guardian consent, which makes the process different than applying as an adult. Getting parental or guardian consent is tricky in certain circumstances, such as when a guardian has sole custody, one of the parents is no longer alive, or the child is adopted. Knowing the proper documents to bring with you to the passport acceptance facility will keep your child's passport application from being delayed or rejected, and save you time and energy in the long run.

Steps

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Gathering Required Documents and Photos

1. 
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   Acquire an original or certified copy of your child’s birth certificate. The certificate must be an original or certified copy. It will be returned to you when you complete the application. The birth certificate must:

   • Be issued by the city, county, or state of birth
   • List the child’s full name, place of birth, and date of birth
   • Include the parent(s)’ full names
   • State the date filed with registrar’s office (must be within one year of birth)
   • Have the registrar’s signature
   • Include the seal of the issuing authority
   • Alternate certificates that are accepted are a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA), a Certification of Report of Birth (DS-1350), or a Certificate of Citizenship issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
   • If you adopted your child, and they were born outside the U.S., you will need citizen evidence of 1 parent and the full and final adoption decree.
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   Make a photocopy of your child's birth certificate. Photocopy the front of the certificate, but only include the back if information is printed on it. You may also submit a second certified copy of the certificate if you don’t want to print a photocopy, but the Post Office will keep this one. Photocopies must be:

   • Legible
   • On white 8.5”x11” standard paper
   • Black and white
   • Single sided (print two separate pages if your document has a backside)
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3. 
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   Acquire documentation that lists your child's parent(s) or legal guardian(s). Only original or certified copies are acceptable. If your kid is 16 or 17 years old and will be applying with their own ID, you do not have to do this step. Examples of acceptable documents are:

   • U.S. birth certificate (also evidence of U.S. citizenship)
   • Consular Report of Birth Abroad (also evidence of U.S. citizenship)
   • Foreign birth certificate
   • Adoption decree
   • Divorce or custody decree
4. 
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   Ensure that all legal guardians have an acceptable identification document (ID). If you use an out-of-state ID, you will need to supply an additional identification document. If your child is 16 or 17, they can use their own ID for this step. Some acceptable forms of ID are:

   • In-state, valid driver’s license or identification card
   • Undamaged U.S. passport (expired or valid)
   • Certificate of Naturalization of Citizenship
   • Government employee ID
   • U.S. military or military dependent ID
   • Valid foreign passport
   • Mexican Consular Identification (Matricula Consular)
5. 
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   Provide additional documentation if you are the sole parent or guardian. If you are the child's only guardian, you will need to prove that you have sole authority to apply for their passport. Bring one of the following documents:

   • U.S. or foreign birth certificate, Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or adoption decree, listing only the applying parent
   • Court order granting sole legal custody to the applying parent
   • Court order specifically permitting the parent to travel abroad with the child
   • Judicial declaration of the non-applying parent’s incompetence
   • Death certificate of the non-applying parent
6. 
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   Sign a document stating your approval if your child is applying alone. If your child is 16 or 17 years old and has their own ID, they can apply for their own passport as long as they can prove parental awareness. Acceptable evidence of parental awareness is:

   • A signed, notarized statement of consent issued by 1 or more of the minor’s parents or legal guardians
   • A parent or guardian appearing with the minor during the application process
7. 
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   Photocopy the front and back of your ID. Print 2 single-sided pages: 1 copy of the front and 1 copy of the back. If you are presenting out-of-state identification, you will need to photocopy a second form of identification as well. The photocopy must:

   • Be on plain white, 8.5”x11” standard paper
   • Not be decreased (though it may be enlarged)
   • Be single-sided (double-sided will not be accepted)
   • If you are 16 or 17 and using your own ID, photocopy your ID instead.
8. 
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   Take a photo of your child to save money at the passport acceptance facility. If you decide to take it yourself, have your child:

   • Face the camera directly with their face in full view
   • Pose with a neutral expression or natural smile, with open eyes
   • Remove their glasses
   • Remove all hats and head coverings (except for religious purposes)
   • The photo must be taken with 6 months of the passport application, and in front of a plain white or off-white background
   • If your child is an infant, lay them on their back on a white blanket or sheet. Alternatively, cover a car seat with a plain white sheet and take a picture of them in the seat. Make sure no one else is in the photo. Infants do not have to be looking at the camera (though it’s preferred).
9. 
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   Print your child’s photo on matte or glossy photo quality paper. If you decide to take your child’s photo yourself, you must follow the printing requirements to avoid processing delays. The photo must:

   • Be 2”x2” (51 x 51 mm)
   • Show the head between 1”-1.5” (25-33 mm) from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head
   • Be printed in color
   • Be printed on matte or glossy photo paper
10. 
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    Have your child’s photo taken at a store that offers passport photo services. Several drug stores, shipping centers, and retail stores offer passport photo services for cheap. They will take the photo and print it to the required specifications for a lower price than the passport office. Prices vary, so call the store before you go to confirm the cost. Some places that offer passport photo services are:

    • Pharmacies and retail stores, such as Walgreens, CVS, and Walmart
    • Shipping centers, such as FedEx and UPS
    • Costco and AAA offer cheap passport services to its members
    • Most passport acceptance facilities provide photo services at an extra cost
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Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Filling Out and Submitting the Application

1. 
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   Fill out form DS-11 completely with black ink. If your child is under the age of 16, you must fill out Form DS-11 for them. You can either print the form online or pick one up from your local Post Office or passport acceptance facility. Use only black ink and write as legibly as possible.

   • Download and print the form here: https://eforms.state.gov/Forms/ds11.PDF
   • You can also fill out the form online at https://pptform.state.gov/?Submit2=Complete+Online. Just print the form once it’s completed.
2. 
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   Bring the completed paperwork and supporting documents to a passport acceptance facility. Submit the completed Form DS-11, evidence of citizenship, photocopy of ID, and photos in person at a passport acceptance facility. Do not staple or attach any of the documents to one another. If your child is under the age of 16, you must apply in person with them.

   • If your kid is 16 or 17, they can renew their passport by mail. Their expired passport must be undamaged, display their current name, and must have been issued when they were 16 or older. To renew by mail, have them complete Form DS-82. Download and print Form DS-82 at https://eforms.state.gov/Forms/ds82.pdf.
3. 
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   Sign your child’s application when instructed to do so by the application agent. Both parents or guardians must sign the application in person. Wait until you are instructed to sign the application. If you sign before you are supposed to, you will have to fill out the form again.

   • Complete form DS-3053 if you will be the only parent or guardian at the office during the application. Bring a photocopy of the ID of the parent or guardian who won't be at the office. Download and print Form DS-3053 at https://eforms.state.gov/Forms/ds3053.pdf.
   • Fill out form DS-5525 if a parent is absent and cannot be located. Use this form to detail why the guardian isn't there, as well as recent efforts made to contact the parent. Download and fill out Form DS-5525 at https://www.us-passport-service-guide.com/support-files/ds-5525-special-family-circumstances-passport-for-minor.pdf.
   • If both parents are unavailable to sign for a child’s passport application, you can authorize a 3rd party to apply in your place. Both parents will need to provide a notarized written statement authorizing the 3rd party to apply.
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   Pay the fees associated with the passport type and size. A standard passport book is $115 for a child under the age of 16 and $145 for a minor 16 or 17 years of age. You can also request a passport card, which costs $50 for a child under the age of 16 and $65 for a minor 16 or 17 years of age. The methods of payment you can use are:

   • Checks (personal, certified, cashier’s, or traveler’s)
   • Money orders (payable to “U.S. Department of State”)
   • Cash is only accepted at certain locations. Call your passport acceptance facility to confirm.
   • Credit and debit card payments are not accepted at any location.
   • Use the online passport fee calculator.
   • A passport card may only be used at land border crossings and sea ports-of-entry from Canada, Mexico, the Bahamas, and Bermuda. A passport card cannot be used for international air travel, but a passport book can.
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   Wait 4-6 weeks for your child's passport to be mailed to you. Check the status of your child's passport application at https://passportstatus.state.gov. It takes 7-10 days after the application for it to appear on the passport tracker.

   • If your child is traveling in the next 2-3 weeks, you can have their passport expedited for a $60 fee. Call and make an appointment at your passport acceptance facility and let them know you’d like to apply for an expedited passport for your kid.
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Tips

• You can get a larger, 52-page passport book for your child for free by checking the ‘52 page’ box at the top of Form DS-11.
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Warnings

• Make sure you follow all photo and photocopy specifications. Your application could be delayed if you submit unacceptable documents.
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