Child Passport – How to Get a Passport for a Child?
Looking to apply for a child passport? Getting a child passport much more complicated than applying for an adult passport due to the number of abductions throughout the world. These procedures are in place to help guarantee the safety of one’s children. The process of obtaining a child’s passport is simple if the applicant follows all the requirements, and provides all the needed documents.
The most important thing to know when applying for a passport for a child under 16 is both parents or guardians need to apply to the minor. You will not be able to renew a child passport as the existing passport is only valid for 5 years and not renewable. Minors with almost expired or already expired passports need to apply for a new passport using the new passport application form. This application form should be completed and signed by a passport agent.
Required Documents Needed for a Child’s Passport
- Complete DS-11 Application Form for New Passport
- (fill out the form but do not sign it until you present it to a passport agent.)
- Provide (2) Passport Photos.
- These should be color photos and conform to the regulations for passport photos.
- Child Proof of Citizenship (Birth Certificate issued by City, County or State of birth)
- Evidence of Parental Relationship.
- Parental Consent (If one parent is applying)
- Both parents must appear with the child and provide parental consent.
- Passport Fee
Time Frame for Getting a Child’s Passport
The time it takes to get your child’s passport depends on where and when you apply for the infant passport applying via mail it could take as much as six weeks or even more to get your child’s passport.
If you need your child’s passport in a hurry, and you have travel plans in the next two weeks. You could apply via the regional passport agency in your area an appointment is advised, but walk-in is potentially welcome just be sure to get all your required document along with your travel itinerary showing the date of travel within the two week period. You can also use a registered passport expediting service to secure the passport as quickly as 24 hours.
Additional Child’s Passport Advice
You should not put your signature on the DS-11 application form until instructed to by a passport agent.
If possible take both parents or guardian if one parent is applying get a parental consent form.
If you are mailing your passport application, use a Tyvek envelope to ensure that your passport documents are secured during mailing.
Every child who travels overseas MUST have a valid passport regardless of age. Both Guardians should appear in person. If one is unavailable than parental consent from the parent or guardian who cannot attend should be included with the documentation (form DS-3053).
In addition to the U.S., birth certificate evidence of citizenship may include a previous U.S. passport, Certificate of Naturalization, Certificate of Citizenship or a Consular Report of Birth Abroad.
Evidence of parental relationship may include a U.S. birth certificate, am adoption degree, a divorce/custody decree, a foreign birth certificate or a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (form FS-240).
If you are unable to provide “consent of the parent or custodial guardian” of a minor you may use this form (form DS-5525-Statement of Exigent/Special Family Circumstances for minors under the age of 16).
If the minor has only one parent than the responsible single guardian must provide proof of their sole authority. Such proof may consist of a court order granting custody of the sole parent, a court order specifically allowing the single parent to apply for a passport, a death certificate of the non-applying guardian or parent or a judicial declaration of incompetence for the parent who is not applying.
For most documentation, photocopies or notarized copies are not acceptable.
you do not need dads permission if you are sole custody parent, you must bring court order documents,
I’m looking to get a passport for my 9 year old daughter as we’re looking to travel to Italy next year for vacation. I have a court document naming me sole legal guardian and primary physcial custody. Do I still need her father to get her a passport?
U.S. Passport Help Guide – Thank you! I took it with us just in case & the clerk of courts walked me through it. 🙂
yes you must surrender prior passport
My daughter had a passport as a 3yo under a different last name (my husband has since adopted her). Do I need to bring that old passport to apply for a new one, even if it was 11 years ago & under a different name? She has a birth certificate with her “new” last name.
very amzing post for giving information http://newglobedocuments.com
the passport is valid for 10 years until they are 27
How long is a 17 yr old’s new passport good for? 10 yrs? or do they need to reapply at age 18?
they must fill out a DS3053 and have it notarized at a US Embassy and mailed to you with a copy of their foreign passport
What if one parent is an American citizen and the other is not (not living in the US) but Is on the birth cert.
Hello, minor passports cannot be renewed, you must apply in person with both parents and the minor present at an acceptance facility. You will need a DS 11 app, passport photos, both parents Driver’s license, old passport, copy of birth certificate, passport fee of $80 with acceptance fee of $25 The 16 year old will be going to a new adult passport and will need 1 parent present fee is $110 with an acceptance agent fee of $25
Hello I have two daughters one is 14 and one is 16 they both have current passports that expire in February. Can we do renewal by mail or do we need to complet DS-11 form and have both parents and child bring into the post office?
Hello, unfortunetly that is not a reason to qualify for a duplicate passport
Is it possible to have a duplicate passport for my child, one that stays with me and one that stays with his father? We don’t communicate very well, and the father likes to hold the passport ‘hostage’. I want to take my 14 year old son to Mexico over spring break and will need the passport (which, of course, we both gave consent for in order to get in the first place). It would make it easier if my son had two copies of the passport.
Hello, yes please visit http://www.uspassporthelpguide.com/emergency-passport/
So i can get a passport through fastport for a minor being a new applicant
depends on where you go, most county clerk offices are walk-in facilities
Do you need an appointment at the post office? calling 2 local ones and no answer. Kinda hard to make an appointment if no one answers the phone.
what if my only parent is in ireland and im iin south africa (mother) and im using her surname and im 17
Hello, you will need to bring all documentation and the parent on the adoption certificate must appear in person with the minor
does mom have sole custody?
What if the child was adopted abroad by only one parent? The adoption decree only lists the one parent. The foreign birth certificate lists the birth parents in the foreign country. FYI…he’s already had 1 passport that is now expired but I just want to make sure there are no new hoops to jump through.
What if the dad of the child is reported to mexico and the child only lives her mother? What can i do in this case?
you must have legal court order documents granting you custody.
I was given a baby by family friend to adopt, she has my last name and my fiances last name, her biological mom is on birth certificate father unknown. She gave us parental relinquish form by notary. Can I use that to apply for passport?
Mela Us my daughters’ father is deceased, and all I had to do was bring in their birth certificates and a copy of his death certificate.
Are vaccinations needed for a child that’s 6 to travel to Europe- specifically Germany to see her dad who’s stationed there with the Air Force. She will be traveling with me, her grandma. But her mom does not do vaccinations- she doesn’t believe in giving them.
hello, if they are an adult now they can go alone and apply for a new adult passport using a DS11
If I need to renew a passport for a child who is now over 18, but passport has not yet expired, do they have to appear in person with parents?
Hello, there should be no issues just bring all original/certified copy court order documents granting you full custody