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Children's Passport Information

For complete information regarding passports for children, please visit the U.S. Department of State's website.

Along with the proof of citizenship, photos, and payment of fees; applications for child passports have additional requirements. 

Note:  In addition to the requirements below, child passport renewals, applicants under age 16 will be required to submit a certified birth certificate AND their previous passport.

  • The child must be present.
  • Be prepared to submit a social security number for the child.
  • For children under age 16:
    • Parental identification must be provided.
    • Parental Application Permission Documentation:

      Both parents must appear together and sign. (Public Law 106-113, Sec. 236)

      or

      One parent appears, signs, and submits second parent's notarized statement of consent authorizing passport issuance for the child (a notarized  Form DS-3053, Statement of Consent: Issuance of a Passport to a Minor Under Age 16

      or

      One parent appears, signs, and submits primary evidence of sole authority to apply (such as one of the following):

Child's certified U.S. or foreign birth certificate (with translation, if necessary) listing only applying parent; or

Consular Report of Birth Abroad (Form FS-240) or Certification of Birth Abroad (Form DS-1350) listing only applying parent; or

Court order granting sole custody to the applying parent (unless child's travel is restricted by that order); or

Adoption decree (if applying parents is sole adopting parent); or

Court order specifically permitting applying parent's or guardian's travel with the child; or

Judicial declaration of incompetence of non-applying parent; or

Death certificate of non-applying parent.

If none of the above documentation is available, the applying parent/guardian should submit a Form DS-3053: Statement of Consent: Issuance of a Passport to a Minor Under Age 16

NOTE:

A third-party in loco parentis applying on behalf of a minor under the age of 14 must submit a notarized written statement or affidavit from both parents or guardians authorizing a third-party to apply for a passport. When the statement or affidavit is from only one parent/guardian, the third-party must present evidence of sole custody of the authorizing parent/guardian.

  • To obtain a passport for a child born in the United States to alien parents, and to establish his/her citizenship it may be necessary to request the parents(s) alien registration card ("green card") and/or their foreign passport that was valid at the time of the child's birth.
  • Anyone under the age of 18 applying for a passport for the first time or renewing a passport must apply in person.

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