US Passport regulations seem to always be in a state of constant flux. Knowing regulations and policies when it comes to obtaining you and your family’s US passports is an important part of traveling. US Passport regulations for children remain consistent. If you plan on traveling internationally with your child or children, you will need to know how to get the appropriate documentation.

Please note, before you start:

Minors under age 16 must apply in person
All minors regardless of age, including newborns and infants, must have their own passport when traveling internationally by air
Learn if your child requires a U.S. passport to travel by land or by sea.
There are special requirements for All Minors Ages 16 & 17

 

STEP 1: Complete Form DS-11: Application For A U.S. Passport

Complete Form DS-11: Application for a U.S. Passport.  Please note, you:

Must not sign the application until instructed to do so by the Acceptance Agent.

Must provide your SSN in accordance with 26 U.S.C. 6039E. Failure to provide your Social Security Number may result in significant processing delays and/or the denial of your application.

 

STEP 2: Submit Form DS-11: Application For A U.S. Passport In Person

The minor and both parents (or guardians) must appear in person to submit Form DS-            11 at an acceptance facility or a passport agency.

 

STEP 3: Submit Evidence of U.S. Citizenship

The minor's evidence of U.S. citizenship must be submitted with Form DS-11. All documentation submitted as citizenship evidence will be returned to you. These documents will be delivered with your newly issued U.S. passport or in a separate mailing.

Primary Evidence of U.S. Citizenship (One of the following):

Previously issued, undamaged U.S. Passport
Certified birth certificate issued by the city, county or state
Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Birth
Naturalization Certificate
Certificate of Citizenship

 

STEP 4: Submit Evidence of Relationship

Parent(s)/Guardian(s) must submit evidence of their relationship to the minor applicant.

Evidence of Relationship (One of the following):

Minor's certified U.S. birth certificate with both parents' names
Minor's certified Foreign Birth Certificate with both parents' names
Minor's Report of Birth Abroad with both parents' names
Adoption Decree with adopting parents' names
Court Order establishing custody
Court Order establishing guardianship

 

STEP 5: Present Identification of Parent(s)/Guardian(s)

When applying for a minor under age 16, both parent(s)/guardian(s) must present acceptable identification at the time of application.

Primary Identification (One of the following):

Previously issued, undamaged U.S. passport
Naturalization Certificate
Valid Driver's License
Current Government Employee ID (city, state or federal)
Current Military ID (military and dependents)

 

STEP 6: Submit a Photocopy of Each Parent/Guardian ID Document To Be Presented (STEP 5)

A photocopy of each identification document to be presented by a parent or guardian must be submitted with the minor's passport application (excluding credit cards presented with secondary identification). If you are applying for multiple minors at one time, you must include a photocopy of each parent/guardian ID document presented with each minor's individual passport application.

Photocopy must be on plain white, 8 1/2 x 11" standard paper stock, showing the front and the back of your ID

Photocopy must contain images on only one-side of each page submitted.

If copies cannot be made on the same side of one page, you may present two separate pages; one displaying the front of the ID and the second displaying the back of the ID.

The paper should be free of other images and/or markings.

The 8 1/2 x 11" paper size cannot be substituted with a larger or smaller size paper, even if the alternative folds down to the 8 1/2 x 11" size.

You may enlarge the image of your ID on the 8 1/2 x 11" page, but you may not decrease the size of the image.

Other situations that require a photocopy of identification, but are less common, include:

If you are presenting Secondary Identification, you must provide a photocopy of each document being presented with your application. A photocopy of your credit card will not be requested if it is to be presented with secondary identification.

If you submit out-of-state primary identification, you must provide a photocopy of your primary identification document and your second ID. If a credit card is presented as your second ID, a photocopy will not be requested.

An assistant to a disabled applicant who witnesses the signature or signs on the disabled applicant’s behalf must present a photocopy of his or her ID.

A person acting as an Identifying Witness (Form DS-71) must present a photocopy of his or her ID.

STEP 7: Provide Parental Consent

Both parents must provide consent authorizing passport issuance for a minor under age 16.

STEP 8: Submit Two Passport Photos

We can help you submit clear and correctly exposed passport photos the first time - especially when applying for the U.S. Passport Card.

 Your Photographs Must Be:

Identical
In color
2 x 2 inches in size
Taken within the past 6 months, showing current appearance
Full face, front view with a plain white or off-white background
Between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head
Taken in normal street attire:
Uniforms should not be worn in photographs except religious attire that is worn daily
Do not wear a hat or headgear that obscures the hair or hairline
If you normally wear prescription glasses, a hearing device, wig or similar articles, they
should be worn for your picture
Dark glasses or nonprescription glasses with tinted lenses are not acceptable unless you need them for medical reasons (a medical certificate may be required)