PASSPORTOFFICES
A parent and child at a post office passport acceptance counter

Form DS-11

Child passport applications, step by step

Every applicant under 16 applies in person on Form DS-11 with both parents' consent. Here are the exact forms, documents, fees, and where to submit them.

Find an acceptance facilityOpen Form DS-11

How to apply for a child's passport

  1. 1. Complete Form DS-11 — do not sign it

    Fill out the DS-11 online or in black ink, print single-sided, and leave the signature blank until the acceptance agent witnesses it.

    Open the DS-11 guide

  2. 2. Gather the child's citizenship evidence

    A certified U.S. birth certificate with a raised seal (or CRBA / Certificate of Citizenship), plus one photocopy. Hospital souvenir certificates are rejected.

  3. 3. Prove the parental relationship and consent

    Both parents or guardians appear with photo IDs and photocopies. If one cannot attend, submit a notarized DS-3053; if the other parent cannot be located, use DS-5525.

    Consent form DS-3053

  4. 4. Take one compliant 2x2 inch photo

    The child must be alone in the frame, eyes open where possible, plain white background, no other person's hands visible. Infants may lie on a plain white sheet.

    Free photo tool

  5. 5. Prepare two separate payments

    The application fee goes to 'U.S. Department of State' by check or money order; the execution fee is paid separately to the acceptance facility.

    Current fees

  6. 6. Apply in person with the child present

    Book an appointment at an acceptance facility — post offices, clerks of court, and public libraries all accept DS-11 applications. The child must appear.

    Find an acceptance facility

Forms used in child passport cases

DS-11

How to get a passport for a child

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Short answer

Children under 16 must apply in person on Form DS-11 at an acceptance facility, with both parents or legal guardians present (or documented consent), proof of the child's U.S. citizenship, and proof of the parental relationship.

Key takeaways

  • Passports for children under 16 are valid for 5 years and can never be renewed by mail.
  • The child passport book fee is $100 plus a $35 execution fee paid to the acceptance facility.
  • Both parents/guardians must consent — in person, or with a notarized Form DS-3053 from the absent parent.
  • Applicants aged 16 and 17 apply on DS-11 too, but the adult fee applies and parental consent rules are lighter.

Two-parent consent

The safest route is for both parents or guardians to appear together with the child. If one parent cannot attend, that parent submits a notarized Statement of Consent (Form DS-3053) with a photocopy of their ID.

If one parent has sole legal authority, bring the court order, custody decree, or death certificate that proves it. Form DS-5525 covers exceptional circumstances where the second parent cannot be located.

Documents to bring

The child's certified U.S. birth certificate (or other citizenship evidence), a photocopy of it, both parents' photo IDs plus photocopies, one passport photo of the child, and the completed but unsigned Form DS-11.

Sign the DS-11 only in front of the acceptance agent.

Photos of babies and toddlers

The child must be alone in the frame with eyes open where possible, on a plain white background, with no other person's hands visible. Infants may be photographed lying on a plain white sheet.

Our free photo tool crops and formats a compliant 2x2 inch photo at home.

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