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

Getting a passport gives a minor a U.S. travel document for international trips. The steps below cover children under 16, whose passports have special application and consent rules. Applicants age 16 or 17 generally follow the adult application process, but must still meet the State Department’s requirements for minors in that age group. Check the official U.S. Department of State guidance before applying, especially if a parent cannot attend or a custody situation applies.

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 by the acceptance agent.
Proof of the child’s U.S. citizenship: Usually an original or certified U.S. birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, a certificate of naturalization, or a certificate of citizenship. Bring a photocopy as required.
Proof of parent-child relationship: A birth certificate naming the parents, adoption decree, custody order, or other accepted document. A document used to prove citizenship may also establish the relationship.
Parents’ or guardians’ identification: Each appearing adult needs acceptable photo identification and a photocopy of the front and back. Follow the State Department’s guidance for alternate identification or out-of-state ID.
Consent documentation: Both parents or guardians generally appear. If one cannot, bring the required notarized Form DS-3053 and a copy of that parent’s ID, or documentation that supports another permitted exception.
Passport photo: One recent color photo meeting the State Department’s size, background, and image rules. Many application facilities offer photo services, but check before relying on one.
Payment and appointment details: Confirm current payment methods and fees with the State Department and the acceptance facility. Fees and accepted payment types can differ by service and location.

Step-by-Step

Confirm the child’s age and application type. This guide is for an applicant under 16. A child in this age group must apply in person and cannot renew by mail using Form DS-82; use Form DS-11. Passports for children under 16 are generally valid for five years and are not extendable.
Review consent and custody requirements first. The ordinary rule is that both parents or legal guardians appear with the child and consent. If only one can attend, read the State Department’s current instructions for Form DS-3053, including notarization and the required ID copy. If one parent has sole legal authority, bring the relevant court order or other accepted evidence. Special circumstances, such as an unavailable parent or a safety concern, have specific procedures; do not assume a letter alone is enough.
Find an acceptance facility and make an appointment. Use the State Department’s acceptance-facility locator to find an eligible post office, clerk’s office, or other authorized location. Ask whether appointments are required, which payment methods are accepted, whether photos are available, and whether every parent or guardian must attend. The child must be present at the application.
Complete Form DS-11 without signing. Enter the child’s information carefully and print the completed form. Leave the signature blank until the acceptance agent tells you to sign. Do not use correction fluid or make guesses about unfamiliar fields; consult the form instructions if something does not apply.
Gather original documents and copies. Bring the citizenship evidence, relationship evidence, parental identification, and required photocopies. Originals are generally submitted with the application and returned separately. Make sure names and dates are consistent; if a name changed, bring the supporting legal document.
Prepare the photo and payment. Check that the photo meets current State Department specifications, including image dimensions and a plain, light background. Avoid uniforms, heavy edits, glare, or shadows. Confirm the current application fee, any separate execution fee, and payment instructions from official sources before your appointment; the two charges may be paid differently.
Attend together and submit the application. Bring the child and all required adults to the appointment. The acceptance agent reviews the paperwork, administers the required oath, and witnesses the child’s application signature when appropriate. Answer questions accurately and submit the documents and payment as directed.
Track the application and check the passport on arrival. Use the State Department’s passport status service after the application has been entered into its system. Processing time varies, so apply well before travel and consult official guidance if departure is near. When the passport arrives, check the child’s name, date of birth, and other details promptly, and keep the passport secure.

Common Mistakes

Signing DS-11 early: The application must be signed in front of the acceptance agent.
Using the renewal form: A child under 16 must apply in person on DS-11, even if they already had a passport.
Arriving without consent evidence: A parent’s absence requires the specific documentation or exception accepted by the State Department; a casual note may not qualify.
Bringing only photocopies: Citizenship and relationship evidence generally require original or certified documents as well as copies where instructed.
Assuming any photo will work: Cropping, lighting, background, and image rules matter. Have the photo checked against current official requirements.
Waiting until just before travel: Processing and appointment availability vary. Do not rely on an estimated timeline without checking current State Department information.

Tips

Make a checklist for each adult and the child, then arrange documents in the order listed by the application instructions.
Use the child’s legal name exactly as shown by supporting documents. Bring proof of any legal name change.
Take extra photocopies of identification and supporting records, but keep originals protected until the appointment.
Check facility-specific appointment and payment rules directly. An acceptance facility collects the application; it does not decide passport eligibility or control processing time.
For upcoming international travel, consult the State Department’s urgent-travel options rather than assuming a local facility can speed up processing.

Troubleshooting

One parent cannot attend: Check the instructions for notarized Form DS-3053 and the absent parent’s identification copy. If that is not possible, review the official exceptions and required documents before booking; requirements depend on the circumstances.

You cannot find a birth certificate: Contact the vital records office in the state where the child was born to request an accepted certified record. The State Department describes alternate evidence for some cases, but requirements vary; verify what to submit before the appointment.

A name or date differs between records: Bring official documents explaining the discrepancy, such as a corrected certificate or court order. Ask the acceptance facility or State Department what evidence is acceptable rather than altering a document.

The application is delayed or travel is approaching: Check application status and the State Department’s current urgent-travel instructions. Keep travel proof available if requested, and use only official channels for appointment or escalation guidance.

The passport has an error: Follow the correction instructions included with the passport or contact the State Department promptly. Do not try to alter the passport yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the child have to be present?

Yes. A child under 16 must apply in person, and the child must attend the appointment with the required parent or guardian participation.

Can one parent apply without the other?

Sometimes, but the absent parent’s consent or evidence of an accepted exception is usually required. Check the current State Department instructions for Form DS-3053 and special circumstances.

Can I renew a child’s passport by mail?

No. For a child under 16, use Form DS-11 and apply in person, even if the child has had a passport before.

How long is a child’s passport valid?

A U.S. passport issued to a child under 16 is generally valid for five years. It cannot be extended; apply for a new passport when it expires.

How soon should we apply before travel?

Apply as early as practical because appointment availability and processing times can change. Check the State Department’s current processing estimates and urgent-travel guidance before making plans.

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.