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Minors

Applying as a 16 or 17 year old

  • Most applicants who are age 16-17 must apply in person using Form DS-11.
  • Passports for applicants 16 and older are valid for 10 years.
  • You must show one legal parent or guardian is aware you are applying. 

Your evidence must be an original or replacement copy. The document must have the official seal or stamp of the office which issued it. You must submit one of these documents:

  • U.S. birth certificate that meets these requirements: 
    • Issued by the city, county, or state of birth
    • Lists your full name, date of birth, and place of birth
    • Lists your parent(s)' full names
    • Has the date filed with registrar's office (must be within one year of birth)
    • Has the registrar's signature
    • Has the seal or stamp from the city, county, or state which issued it
  • Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Birth
  • Certificate of Naturalization 
  • Certificate of Citizenship
  • Full validity, undamaged U.S. passport 
    • Full validity means the document is or was valid for 10 years for adults and 5 years for children under 16. 

If you cannot submit one of these documents, go to our Citizenship Evidence page for more information.

Apply for a Child Under 16

The most efficient way to apply for a child under age 16 is to present the required documentation and for both parents to appear at the time of application, or for the applying parent/guardian supply the additional documentation required for a single-signature application at the time of application. Incomplete submissions will delay passport issuance.

Passport Application Process

Both parents or child's legal guardian must:

  • Present evidence of child’s U.S. citizenship, and
  • Present evidence that they are the parents or guardian, and
  • Show valid personal identification and
  • Sign and take oath before an authorized passport acceptance agent.

If the second parent is not available to sign, the appearing parent must complete steps above and present evidence that he/she has:

  • sole legal custody of the child or
  • written consent of the other parent for the insurance of the passport or
  • written statement explaining why no-applying parent's consent cannot be obtained.

If no parent is available to sign, the third-party in loco parent must:

Appear with a notarized written statement or affidavit from both parents or custodial parent(s) authorizing the third-party to apply for passport. When the statement or affidavit is from only one parent, the third-party must present evidence of sole custody of the authorizing parent.

Statement of Consent

Whether Form DS-3053 is used, Issuance of a Passport to a Minor Child Under age 16 (DS-3053) , or the same information is provided on other paper the Statement of Consent by no-applying parents, for children under age 16, must be notarized.

The purpose is to prevent forgery and ensure that the person signing the statement has been properly identified. This will further reduce the possibility of a U.S. passport being used in any effort to interfere with the custodial rights of non-applying parents.

The law requires that all applications be signed under oath under penalty of perjury.