Applying for a U.S. passport for a child under 16 involves more than completing Form DS-11. This reusable checklist explains the documents, parent-consent rules, photo standards, fees, and special situations to review before the child’s appointment.
Overview
A child under 16 must generally apply for a U.S. passport in person. The application is made with Form DS-11, Application for a U.S. Passport, and the child must appear with the application. A child passport is normally valid for five years, so it cannot be treated like an adult passport that may be renewed through the standard mail-in process. When it expires, the child usually submits a new application in person.
Both parents or legal guardians are generally expected to show consent. This requirement is intended to help prevent one parent from obtaining a passport for a child without the other parent’s knowledge. If one parent cannot attend, the family may need a signed consent form and a copy of that parent’s identification. If a parent is unavailable, has sole legal custody, or cannot provide consent, additional evidence may be required.
Rules, fees, appointment procedures, and acceptable documents can change. Before submitting an application, check the current instructions from the U.S. Department of State and the specific passport acceptance facility. Do not sign Form DS-11 until instructed to do so at the appointment.
Checklist by scenario
Standard application with both parents present
- Complete Form DS-11, but leave it unsigned until the acceptance agent directs you to sign.
- Bring the child to the appointment.
- Bring the child’s original or certified proof of U.S. citizenship, such as an eligible birth certificate, prior fully valid passport, Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or certificate of citizenship. Confirm that the document meets current acceptance rules.
- Bring evidence of the parent-child relationship. A birth certificate listing the parents commonly serves this purpose, but a different relationship document may be needed in adoption, guardianship, or other cases.
- Bring identification for both parents or guardians, along with photocopies if required by the current instructions.
- Provide a compliant passport photo for the child.
- Prepare the applicable passport application fee and any separate execution or acceptance fee charged by the facility. Verify current amounts and payment methods before the appointment.
One parent attends and the other parent cannot attend
The non-attending parent may generally provide written consent using the form specified in the current State Department instructions. The consent typically must be signed and accompanied by a copy of the identifying parent’s acceptable identification. Check whether the signature must be notarized and whether the copy must show the front and back of the identification document.
If the other parent is temporarily unavailable, start collecting the consent and identification copy before booking the appointment. A missing signature or unclear identification copy can delay processing.
One parent has sole legal custody
Bring the court order or other official evidence establishing sole legal custody, when applicable. The document should clearly address custody or the authority to apply for the child’s passport. A custody arrangement that grants physical custody alone may not answer the consent question, so review the exact language carefully.
A parent is deceased, incarcerated, unreachable, or otherwise unable to consent
Bring evidence that explains the situation, such as a death certificate, court order, or other documentation recognized under current passport guidance. If a parent’s consent cannot reasonably be obtained, the application may require a specific statement or additional evidence. Do not assume that a general letter will be sufficient; confirm the accepted option before the appointment.
Adoption, guardianship, or a changed family name
Bring the document that establishes the legal relationship and any name-change evidence. The child’s citizenship document, relationship document, identification, and application should be consistent where possible. If names differ, prepare the chain of documents connecting them rather than relying on an explanation at the counter.
What to double-check
Form DS-11 preparation
Use the current version of DS-11 and answer every applicable question. Print the form according to its instructions, but do not sign it in advance. Review spelling, dates of birth, prior names, and the child’s mailing address. A small data-entry error can create follow-up work or delay the application.
Proof of citizenship and relationship
Bring original or certified documents when required, not only photocopies. Also bring copies in the format requested by the current instructions. If the child was born abroad, was adopted, or became a citizen through a parent, the evidence needed may differ from a standard domestic birth-certificate case.
Passport photo requirements
The child’s photo should meet current U.S. passport standards: a recent color image with a plain, light background, a forward-facing view, and a neutral expression when possible. The image must be the required passport size and printed at the appropriate quality. Remove glasses unless an exception applies under current guidance, and avoid hats or head coverings unless worn for religious or medical reasons. Infants do not need to maintain a perfect expression, but another person should not appear in the image. Have the photo taken shortly before applying and check the official specifications rather than relying on a general photo booth setting.
Fees and appointment logistics
Expect the total cost to include the passport application fee and, in many cases, a separate fee charged by the acceptance facility. Optional delivery or expedited processing may involve additional charges. Because fee amounts, payment methods, and appointment practices can change, confirm them immediately before applying. Bring the child, all required adults, documents, copies, photo, and an accepted payment method to the same appointment.
Common mistakes
- Signing DS-11 early: Wait for the acceptance agent.
- Assuming a child can use DS-82: A child under 16 generally applies in person with DS-11 rather than using the adult renewal process.
- Bringing only a hospital record: Confirm that the citizenship document is an acceptable birth or citizenship record.
- Overlooking the second parent’s evidence: A verbal explanation usually does not replace required consent or custody documentation.
- Using an unsuitable photo: School pictures, cropped family photos, and images with shadows or visible objects may not satisfy passport standards.
- Waiting until travel is close: Processing times can vary, and correcting a missing document takes time.
- Assuming the passport lasts as long as an adult passport: Child passports generally have a shorter validity period and require a new in-person application when renewed.
When to revisit
Recheck this guidance whenever a child needs a first passport, a replacement, or a new passport after the prior child passport expires. Review it again before school-break and summer travel, especially if the family’s custody arrangement, address, names, citizenship evidence, or parent availability has changed.
Before acting, use this final sequence: confirm the child’s age and application route; download the current DS-11; identify the required citizenship and relationship documents; resolve parent-consent issues; obtain a compliant photo; verify current fees and payment methods; and book an appointment at an acceptance facility that serves your area. If travel is approaching, check current processing guidance early and review the passport’s validity requirements for the destination country. For unusual custody or unavailable-parent situations, obtain case-specific guidance from the official passport authority before submitting the application.
