Child Passports Made Simple for Busy Parents

Yes, all U.S. citizens, including newborns and infants, must have their own valid passport to travel internationally by air. Children cannot be added to a parent’s passport or travel under it.

Each traveler, regardless of age, requires a separate passport book. Parents must apply in person using Form DS-11 and provide proof of the child’s U.S. citizenship and parental relationship.

To successfully get a passport for a minor under the age of 16, both parents or legal guardians must appear in person alongside the child at an official passport acceptance facility. This appointment is a mandatory part of the process.

At the appointment, the parents must submit a completed Form DS-11 and present certified documentation that proves the child's U.S. citizenship and verifies the legal parental relationship to the applicants. Usually, this is a certified birth certificate.

To process a child's passport, you need the child's original U.S. birth certificate. This document proves American citizenship and establishes the legal parental relationship.

Additionally, both parents must present their own valid, government-issued photo IDs and provide clear, front-and-back photocopies. A compliant 2x2 inch color passport photograph of the child, along with the unsigned Form DS-11 is also needed.

The most common document is the child's original U.S. birth certificate listing both parents' names. Foreign birth certificates or adoption decrees are also acceptable.

A child's passport costs $135 in total, slightly less than an adult passport. This includes a $100 application fee paid to the U.S. Department of State and a $35 execution fee at the local acceptance facility.

This total applies to children under 16 applying for a new passport book. Parents should ensure both fees are paid at the time of application.

A U.S. child passport is valid for 5 years, shorter than the 10-year validity for adults. This shorter period accounts for rapid changes in a child's appearance.

Children’s passports cannot be renewed by mail. Parents must submit a new in-person application each time until the child reaches 16, using the same process and Form DS-11.

Yes, federal law strictly enforces a two-parent consent rule for child passports. Both legal parents or guardians must be physically present during the child's passport appointment.

If one parent cannot appear in person, the other is required to submit a notarized Form DS-3053, known as the Statement of Consent, signed by the non-applying parent. This form must be accompanied by a clear photocopy (front and back) of the absent parent's photo identification.

No, passports issued to children under 16 cannot be renewed by mail. Parents and the child must appear in person at an official acceptance facility and submit a new Form DS-11 each time a renewal is required.

This in-person process is required for every renewal until the child turns 16, as formal identity and parental consent must be properly verified for each application.

If the other parent is absent or cannot be located, legal documentation must be provided to demonstrate custody. Parents with sole legal custody must submit an original court order or a certified death certificate proving their rights.

If the other parent cannot be found, Form DS-5525, the Statement of Exigent or Special Family Circumstances, must be completed and submitted with a clear explanation. This form is reviewed and approved by the federal government before the child’s passport application can proceed.

For infants and young children who cannot write, a parent should print the child's name and sign their own name in the signature block once instructed by the acceptance agent.

For children under 16, the application process includes additional safeguards, such as parental consent requirements, to help protect minors.

EaseGov guides you through these requirements step by step, helping you provide the necessary information and prepare your application correctly to reduce common issues that may delay the process.