How to Get a Passport for a Child in the U.S.

This guide covers applying for a U.S. passport for a child under age 16. It gives the child an identity and travel document for international trips, but it does not replace checking destination entry rules. Before you begin, confirm the latest instructions and acceptable documents with the U.S. Department of State or your passport acceptance facility. Children age 16 or 17 have different application rules.

What You’ll Need

Form DS-11: Complete it online and print it, or fill it out by hand in black ink. Do not sign it until instructed at the appointment.
Proof of the child’s U.S. citizenship: Usually an original or certified U.S. birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or a previously issued U.S. passport. The document is generally submitted with the application; check current return procedures.
Proof of parental relationship: Often the same birth certificate, if it names the parent or parents. Adoption decrees, custody orders, or other official records may be needed in other situations.
Identification for each parent or guardian appearing: Bring an acceptable original photo ID and a photocopy of the front and back. Check the State Department’s current list of accepted identification.
Consent from both parents or guardians: Both generally appear with the child. If one cannot attend, that parent usually completes Form DS-3053, Statement of Consent, and has the form notarized; follow its instructions for the required ID copy and validity period.
A passport photo: Bring one recent color photo that meets U.S. passport photo rules, including size, background, and visibility of the child’s face.
Appointment arrangements and payment: Find a passport acceptance facility and verify its appointment, payment, and document requirements. Application and execution charges may be handled separately, and accepted payment methods can vary by facility.

Step-by-Step

Check which process applies. This in-person process is for children under 16. A child’s passport generally cannot be renewed by mail using the adult renewal process; a new application is required. If the child is 16 or 17, consult the separate State Department instructions.
Complete Form DS-11. Enter the child’s information accurately, but leave the signature area blank. Do not use Form DS-82 to renew a child’s passport. If completing the form by hand, make corrections neatly and follow the form’s instructions rather than guessing at an answer.
Gather citizenship and relationship documents. Use an original or certified record, not just a photocopy, unless the official instructions say otherwise. Make photocopies of required documents as directed, but do not assume a copy can replace the original. Names or details that differ across documents may require additional records.
Arrange parental consent. The child and both parents or guardians should generally attend. If one parent cannot be present, check whether a notarized DS-3053 and an ID copy will meet the requirement. When only one parent has legal authority, bring official evidence, such as a court order or death certificate, as applicable. If consent cannot be obtained or the circumstances are unusual, contact the State Department before applying.
Prepare the photo and identification. Review the official photo specifications and use a suitable photo service or take one that meets them. For infants and young children, the photo must still meet the rules; keep the image clear and free of other people or objects. Each appearing parent should bring the required ID and photocopy.
Book or locate an acceptance facility. Passport acceptance facilities include certain post offices, libraries, and local government offices. Search the official State Department facility locator and contact the chosen location to confirm whether appointments are required, what payment forms it accepts, and whether it can accommodate the child.
Attend together and submit the application. The child must appear in person, even if they are a newborn or cannot sign. Bring the completed but unsigned DS-11, the child, required adults, original records, photo, copies, and payment. The acceptance agent reviews the application and tells you when to sign.
Choose routine or expedited service if available. Ask the facility or consult the State Department for current processing guidance and options. Processing times can change and do not necessarily include mailing time. If travel is approaching, follow the official urgent-travel instructions rather than relying on an estimate.
Track the application and inspect the passport. Use the State Department’s official tracking service when eligible. When the passport arrives, check the child’s name, date of birth, and other printed details immediately. Keep the passport secure and check its expiration date before every trip.

Common Mistakes

Signing DS-11 early: The applicant must sign only when the acceptance agent instructs them to do so.
Bringing photocopies instead of original evidence: Copies alone may not satisfy citizenship or relationship requirements. Confirm what must be original and what copies are needed.
Assuming one parent’s presence is enough: A child under 16 generally needs both parents’ or guardians’ consent. Bring the prescribed consent form or legal evidence if a parent cannot appear or does not have authority.
Using a noncompliant photo: Cropping, shadows, busy backgrounds, or another person’s hand in an infant’s photo can lead to rejection. Check the exact specifications before submitting it.
Waiting until travel is close: Processing and mailing take time and may vary. Apply well ahead, and do not treat a processing estimate as a guarantee.
Booking travel with a name mismatch: Make sure the application details are correct and consistent with the child’s supporting documents and travel booking.

Tips

Use the State Department’s current child passport checklist as your final packing list; requirements and facility procedures can differ by situation.
Keep a separate copy of the application details and submitted records for your files. Do not mail original identity documents unless the official process specifically requires them.
If one parent will not attend, prepare the consent paperwork well in advance and follow its notarization and identification instructions exactly.
After receiving the passport, store it safely and make a secure record of its number and expiration date. Do not share passport images casually.
Check the destination’s passport-validity and entry requirements through official sources. A valid U.S. passport does not guarantee that a destination will accept it for every itinerary.

Troubleshooting

A parent cannot attend: Ask the State Department whether DS-3053 is suitable for your circumstances and confirm how recently it must be notarized. If you cannot obtain the other parent’s consent, do not submit incomplete or misleading paperwork; contact the passport agency for guidance on the applicable exception or process.

You lack a birth certificate or other citizenship record: Check the State Department’s acceptable evidence list and request a certified record from the appropriate government office. If the child was born outside the United States, review the instructions for that child’s citizenship evidence, such as a Consular Report of Birth Abroad or other qualifying records.

The application is delayed: Check the official status tracker and follow the contact instructions it provides. If urgent travel is near, use the Department of State’s urgent-travel guidance and gather proof of travel and application details. Avoid submitting a duplicate application unless officials advise you to do so.

A document is rejected or details do not match: Ask the acceptance agent or passport agency exactly what correction or additional evidence is needed. Provide official records that explain name changes or discrepancies rather than altering documents yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my child have to attend the appointment?

Yes. A child under 16 must generally appear in person with the application, regardless of age. Both parents or guardians should also attend when possible.

Can one parent apply without the other?

Usually, the absent parent must provide the required notarized consent, commonly Form DS-3053, or the applying parent must document sole authority or another accepted circumstance. Check the current official instructions for the exact evidence required.

Can I renew my child’s passport by mail?

Children under 16 generally apply in person for each passport using Form DS-11; the adult mail-renewal form is not used for them. A 16- or 17-year-old follows a different process.

How long does a child passport take?

Processing times vary and can change, and mailing adds time. Check the State Department’s current processing estimates before applying, and use its urgent-travel process if your plans are close.

How long is a child’s U.S. passport valid?

A U.S. passport issued to a child under 16 is generally valid for five years. Check the printed expiration date and destination requirements before travel.

What if the child’s parents have different last names?

Bring documents that establish the relationship between the child and the applying adults, such as the child’s birth certificate and any relevant name-change record. Follow the acceptance facility’s and State Department’s instructions if the names do not match.

Further reading: U.S. Department of State. Details can change, so check the official page for anything that matters to you. Spotted a mistake? Tell us. How we write an answer.