Requirements for a US passport for a minor in the United States in 2026

Applying for a US passport for a child under 16 is a specific procedure managed by the US Department of State. Unlike adult applications, it requires both parents or legal guardians to appear in person with the child — or for the absent parent to provide formally notarized consent. This safeguard protects minors from unauthorized international travel.

Having all documents ready before visiting an acceptance facility will help you avoid delays. This guide covers every requirement in force in 2026: the documents to bring, the steps to follow, the fees you will pay, and the timelines you can expect.

What this procedure is and what it’s for

A US passport for a minor is a full international travel document issued to US citizens under 18. Children under 16 go through a specific application process that is separate from the standard adult route, requiring the presence and consent of both parents or legal guardians.

This procedure applies to:

• US citizen children under 16 who need a passport to travel internationally
• Any parent or legal guardian applying on behalf of a child in this age group

Children aged 16–17 follow a slightly different process — they can sign their own application and are not subject to the dual-parental-presence rule (see the FAQ section for details).

The official body responsible is the US Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs. Applications are submitted in person at an authorized acceptance facility — they are not mailed directly to the Department of State. The child must be physically present at submission.

Documents required

The following documents are required for a passport application for a child under 16. Bring both the original and a photocopy of each document unless otherwise noted.

Evidence of US citizenship (original required)

• Certified birth certificate issued by a state or county vital records office — a hospital-issued certificate is not accepted
• Alternatively: Consular Report of Birth Abroad (FS-240), Certificate of Citizenship (N-560), or Certificate of Naturalization (N-550)

Application form

• Completed Form DS-11, downloaded from travel.state.gov — do not sign the form before appearing at the acceptance facility

Passport photo

• One recent 2×2-inch passport photo, taken within the last 6 months, on a plain white or off-white background

Parental or guardian identification

• Original valid government-issued photo ID of the parent or guardian appearing (driver’s license, state ID, or US passport)
• Photocopy of the front and back of that ID

Proof of parental relationship

• The child’s certified birth certificate typically serves as both proof of citizenship and proof of parental relationship — one document covers both requirements

If one parent cannot appear in person

• Completed and notarized Form DS-3053 (Statement of Consent), signed by the absent parent — the acceptance facility cannot perform the notarization
• Or, if one parent has sole legal custody: certified court order granting sole custody, death certificate of the other parent, or Form DS-5525 (Statement of Exigent/Special Family Circumstances) with supporting documentation

Steps to complete the procedure

Submit your application in person at an authorized acceptance facility — US Post Offices, public libraries, and county clerk offices are common locations. The child must be present throughout.

1. Download Form DS-11 from travel.state.gov and fill it out completely. Do not sign it — you must sign in front of the acceptance agent.
2. Gather all required documents: certified birth certificate (original + photocopy), passport photo, parental ID (original + photocopy), and Form DS-3053 if one parent cannot attend.
3. Find an authorized acceptance facility using the locator at iafdb.travel.state.gov.
4. Schedule an appointment if required. Many facilities — especially post offices — require advance booking. Call ahead or book through the facility’s own scheduling system.
5. Attend the appointment with the child and both parents or guardians, or one parent plus the notarized Form DS-3053. The acceptance agent reviews your documents, witnesses your signature on Form DS-11, and collects payment.
6. Pay the application fee ($135 for a passport book, by check or money order payable to “US Department of State”) and the execution fee ($35, paid separately to the acceptance facility).
7. Your application is forwarded to the US Department of State for processing, and the completed passport is mailed to the address on the form.

Allow 15–30 minutes at the facility if all documents are in order.

For urgent travel within 72 hours, call the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778 to request an appointment at a regional passport agency. Proof of imminent international travel — such as a flight itinerary — is required.

Fees and timelines

• Passport book application fee (under 16): $135, paid by check or money order to “US Department of State”
• Execution/acceptance fee: $35, paid separately to the acceptance facility
• Total for passport book: $170
• Passport card application fee (under 16): $15 + $35 execution fee = $50 total
• Expedited processing fee (optional): additional $60, on top of standard fees
• Expedited return delivery (optional): approximately $20–$22
• Routine processing time: approximately 6–8 weeks from receipt of application — check travel.state.gov for current wait times before applying, as these fluctuate
• Expedited processing time: approximately 2–3 weeks
• Validity: 5 years for children under 16; when it expires, a completely new application is required — there is no renewal option for minors

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

• Signing Form DS-11 before arriving at the facility. The acceptance agent must witness your signature. A pre-signed form will be rejected and you will need to complete a new one before the application can proceed.
• Bringing a hospital-issued birth certificate instead of a certified copy from a vital records office. Hospital records are not accepted as proof of US citizenship. The document must have an official raised, embossed, or multicolored government seal issued by a state or county authority.
• One parent appearing without Form DS-3053 — or bringing a version that was not properly notarized. If the absent parent’s consent form is missing, unsigned, or notarized incorrectly, the application will be turned away on the spot. The acceptance facility cannot provide notarization services for this form.
• Passport photo that does not meet Department of State specifications. Common problems include a colored background, glasses on the child, or a photo taken more than 6 months ago. Having the photo taken at a pharmacy or post office that offers passport photo services greatly reduces the risk of rejection.

Frequently asked questions

Can one parent apply without the other present? Yes, if the absent parent provides a completed and notarized Form DS-3053 (Statement of Consent). The applying parent can also present a certified court order granting sole legal custody, a death certificate for the other parent, or Form DS-5525 if the other parent’s whereabouts are unknown.

What if my child is 16 or 17? Applicants aged 16–17 also use Form DS-11 and must appear in person, but they can sign their own application. The dual-parental-presence requirement does not apply to this age group. Their passport is valid for 10 years, the same as an adult passport.

How long will it take to get the passport? Routine processing takes approximately 6–8 weeks from the date the application is received by the Department of State. Expedited processing (additional $60 fee) typically takes approximately 2–3 weeks. Processing times fluctuate seasonally — always check the current estimate at travel.state.gov before applying.

Can I track the status of the application? Yes. Use the online status checker at travel.state.gov or call the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778.

What if we need the passport for travel in the next few days? For travel within 72 hours, call 1-877-487-2778 to book an appointment at a regional passport agency. Bring proof of imminent international travel, such as a confirmed flight itinerary or booking confirmation showing the departure date.

Summary and next steps

The most essential documents are the certified birth certificate (original), a completed but unsigned Form DS-11, a compliant 2×2-inch passport photo, and — when one parent cannot appear — a notarized Form DS-3053. Your first step is to locate an authorized acceptance facility at iafdb.travel.state.gov and confirm whether an appointment is required.

Requirements, fees, and processing times are set by the US Department of State and can change at any time. Always verify the most current information at travel.state.gov before submitting your application.