Passports for Minors
Personal Appearance by Minors and Two Parents
All children under age 16 must apply in person, accompanied by at least one parent. If your child is under the age of 16, both parents must be physically present in order to sign the application. If only one parent is able to appear, one of the following will be required:
- Form DS-3053 (Statement of Consent) completed by the absent parent and notarized before a U.S. Notary Public; OR
Evidence of the appearing parent's sole authority to apply for the passport in the form of one of the following:
- Consular Report of Birth Abroad (Form FS-240) or Certification of Birth Abroad (Form DS-1350) listing only applying parent; or
- Child's birth certificate listing only applying parent; or
- Adoption decree (if applying parent is sole adopting parent); or
- Court order granting sole custody to the applying parent (i.e., the absent parent has no access to the child. Child's travel must not be restricted by that order.); or
- Judicial declaration of incompetence of non-applying parent; or
- Death certificate of non-applying parent.
Exceptions may be made in cases of exigent or special family circumstances as approved by the Department of State. If it is determined that exigent or special family circumstances apply, the applying parent/guardian must make and sign a statement under the penalty of perjury describing the exigent or special family circumstances.
Documentary Requirements
In addition to the personal appearance requirement, you will be required to submit the following:
Proof of parents' identity (please bring one or more of the following original documents with photocopies):
- U.S. Passport;
- Foreign Passport; and/or
- A formal identity document issued by a competent authority of the municipality, state, or country in which the parent resides (e.g., driver's license).
Proof of parentage (please bring one or more of the following original documents with a photocopy):
- Certified U.S. state birth certificate (either vital statistics or Department of Health) with parents' names; or
- Certified foreign birth certificate (with parents' names and translation, if necessary); or
- Consular Report of Birth Abroad (Form FS-240) (with parents' names); or
- Certification of Birth Abroad (Form DS-1350) (with parents' names);
- Adoption decree (with adopting parents' names); or
- Court Order establishing custody; or
- Court Order establishing guardianship.
Note on Differing Surnames/Family Names: If your name is not the same as your child's last name or the name listed on your proof of parentage, you must submit documentation that will link your names or link you to the child (marriage/divorce certificate, court order).
Proof of child's citizenship (please bring one or more of the following original documents):
- Previously issued U.S. passport;
- U.S. birth certificate;
- Certificate of Naturalization; and/or
- Consular Report of Birth Abroad.
One photograph that meet the following requirements:
- Color photograph of you, taken within the last six months;
- 2x2 inches in size;
- The image size measured from the bottom of your chin to the top of your head (including hair) should not be less than 1 inch and not more than 1 3/8 inches;
- The photograph must be clear with a full front view of your face, and printed on thin paper with plain, white background;
- They must be capable of withstanding a mounting temperature of 225 Fahrenheit (107 Celsius);
- Photograph must be taken in normal street attire, without a hat, head covering, or glasses. In certain situations, medically or religiously necessary items may be allowed. please contact us if you believe you might qualify; and
- Photograph may not be retouched or changed in any way so that your appearance is changed (e.g., lightened complexion, airbrushing, etc.)
Note on Physical Development: Frequently as a child grows older it no longer resembles its photograph in a previous passport. This is particularly true when the previous passport was issued when the child was an infant. In circumstances such as this, the parents should bring as many photos of the child as possible to illustrate its physical development over the years since the issuance of the previous passport. All photos will be returned to the parents.