DoS Authorized Since 1992Both-Parent Consent HandledEmergency 3-Day Service

Expedited Child Passport Help
in as Fast as 3 Business Days

We help families prepare Form DS-11, required documents, parental consent paperwork, and child photo requirements — with expert review before your in-person visit and expedited processing after.

Start My Child's Application →Call 800-860-8610

✓ 500,000+ Passports Processed✓ Expert-Reviewed for Accuracy✓ 4.8/5 — 11,484 Reviews

Expedited child passport service — family-friendly expert help

Child Passport Checklist

Child must appear in person at an acceptance facility
Both parents usually appear, or DS-3053 consent form required
Form DS-11 — completed but unsigned until in front of agent
Original or certified birth certificate required

As Featured On

500K+

Passports Processed

33 Yrs

DoS Authorized

3 Days

Fastest Service

4.8/5

11,484 Reviews

24/7

Family Support

Choose Your Child Passport Service

Every tier includes DS-11 preparation, parental consent guidance, document review before your visit, hand-courier delivery, and insured return shipping. Pick the speed that fits your family's travel date.

Standard Expedited

Business Days

Receive by May 8

$197

+ $182.05 gov. fee

Choose Standard →

Priority Expedited

Business Days

Receive by Apr 30

$247

+ $182.05 gov. fee

Choose Priority →

Rush Expedited

Business Days

Receive by Apr 28

$297

+ $182.05 gov. fee

Choose Rush →

FASTEST

Emergency Expedited

Business Days

Receive by Apr 23

$347

+ $182.05 gov. fee

Choose Emergency →

Gov. fee billed separately — Child $182.05 · All fees shown before payment · No hidden charges

How Our Expedited Child Passport Service Works

We remove the complexity for families — before, during, and after your in-person acceptance facility visit.

Completing child passport application online

Step 1

Complete Your Child's Application

Answer a few questions online. We prepare Form DS-11, verify parental consent requirements, and review all documents for accuracy before your acceptance facility visit. Takes under 10 minutes.

✓ We prepare DS-11 and consent forms

Family preparing for child passport acceptance facility visit

Step 2

Prepare for the In-Person Visit

We tell you exactly what to bring and what to expect. Both parents typically appear with the child at any post office or acceptance facility. We make it a quick, stress-free 15-minute visit.

✓ Family-ready checklist provided

Hand courier delivering child passport application to agency

Step 3

We Hand-Deliver After Your Visit

After your acceptance facility visit, our specialists hand-courier your child's complete DS-11 application directly to the regional passport agency — no mail delays.

✓ Skip standard mail entirely

Child passport delivered securely to your door

Step 4

Secure Passport Delivery

Your child's new passport is returned to your door via insured overnight shipping with real-time tracking at every step of the journey.

✓ Insured with full tracking

Why Families Choose PassportsAndVisas.com for Child Passports

Child passport mistakes mean delays, rejected applications, and missed family trips. Here is why 500,000+ families trust us to get it right.

📋

DS-11 & Consent Preparation

We complete your child's DS-11 and guide both parents through parental consent requirements — including Form DS-3053 if one parent cannot appear.

✅

Document Review Before Your Visit

Our specialists review every document — birth certificates, parent IDs, child photos — before your acceptance facility visit, catching errors that cause rejections.

🚚

Hand Courier After Your Visit

After your acceptance facility visit, we hand-courier your child's complete application directly to the regional passport agency — no mail delays.

📍

Secure Tracking and Delivery

Insured overnight return shipping with real-time tracking. You know exactly where your child's passport is at every step of the process.

Everything You Need to Know About Getting Your Child's Passport

Complete guide for parents — documents, parental consent, timing, costs, and photo requirements.

What Is a Child Passport and Who Needs One?

👶

What Is a Child Passport?

A child passport is issued to U.S. citizens under age 16. Unlike adult passports which are valid for 10 years, child passports are valid for only 5 years due to children's rapidly changing appearance.

Child passports cannot be renewed by mail — when expired, you must apply in person with Form DS-11 again.

At age 16, your child qualifies for an adult passport valid for 10 years, which can later be renewed by mail.

✅

Who Needs a Child Passport?

Child under 16 traveling internationally by air
Child has never had a U.S. passport
Child's previous passport has expired (cannot be renewed)
Child is 16+ but previous passport was issued before age 16
Lost, stolen, or damaged child passport

Child passports cannot be renewed by mail. Every application requires Form DS-11 in person — even if the passport has not yet expired.

What Documents Do I Need for My Child's Passport?

📘

Form DS-11 & Citizenship Proof

Form DS-11 must be completed but not signed until your child is in front of the acceptance agent. We prepare it for you. Citizenship proof must be an original or certified birth certificate — photocopies are not accepted.

We prepare DS-11 and review all citizenship documents before your visit.

📷

Child Photo & Parent ID Requirements

Both parents must present valid government-issued photo ID
Child passport photo: 2x2 inch, white background, within 6 months
For infants: lay on white sheet, photograph from above, no hands or pacifiers visible
Eyes open, neutral expression, no hats or accessories
Even lighting, no shadows on face or background

We verify your child's photo meets all State Department requirements before your visit.

Parental Consent Requirements

👨‍👩‍👧

When Both Parents Appear Together

Both parents can appear together at the acceptance facility with the child and sign Form DS-11 in front of the agent. This is the simplest and most common method.

Simplest option. All three — child and both parents — visit together. We prepare everything beforehand so your visit takes about 15 minutes.

📝

When One Parent Uses Form DS-3053

If one parent cannot appear, they complete Form DS-3053 (Statement of Consent) and have it notarized. The appearing parent brings this form plus a copy of the absent parent's photo ID.

Sole custody? Submit a certified court order granting sole custody with explicit passport authority. We verify your documentation meets State Department requirements before submission.

How Long Does It Take & How Much Does It Cost?

⏰

Processing Times Compared

DIY Government Mail: 13–15 weeks
Gov. Expedited (+$60): 7–9 weeks
Our Standard: 15 business days
Our Priority: 9 business days
Our Rush: 7 business days
Our Emergency: 3–4 business days

Apply at least 6 months before travel — most countries require 6 months of remaining validity.

💰

Full Cost Breakdown

Government fee: $182.05 (paid to the U.S. Dept. of State).

Standard (15 days): $197 + $182.05 gov.
Priority (9 days): $247 + $182.05 gov.
Rush (7 days): $297 + $182.05 gov.
Emergency (3–4 days): $347 + $182.05 gov.

All fees shown before payment. DS-11 prep, consent guidance, document review, courier delivery, and return shipping included.

Why Use an Expedited Child Passport Service?

Child passports have more moving parts than adult renewals. Parental consent errors, photo rejections, and missing documents cause months of delays and missed trips.

Feature	PassportsAndVisas.com	DIY (Free)	Government Expedited
Processing Time	3–15 Business Days	13–15 Weeks	7–9 Weeks
DS-11 Form Prepared	✓ We Do It	You Prepare	You Prepare
Parental Consent Guidance	✓	✗	✗
Document Review Before Visit	✓	✗	✗
Child Photo Compliance Check	✓	✗	✗
Hand-Courier to Agency	✓	Mail Only	Walk-In Only
Real-Time Tracking	✓	✗	Limited
24/7 Family Support	✓	✗	Limited

Frequently Asked Questions About Child Passports

Answers to the most common family questions about child passport applications.

Eligibility

Do both parents need to be present for a child passport application?+

Yes. Both parents or legal guardians must give consent. Both can appear together at the acceptance facility, or one parent can provide a notarized Form DS-3053 (Statement of Consent) if unable to appear. We guide you through whichever option applies to your family.

Can I renew my child's passport by mail?+

No. Child passports for those under 16 cannot be renewed by mail. You must apply in person with Form DS-11 each time, even if the previous passport has not expired. Once your child turns 16, they apply for their first adult passport — which can later be renewed by mail.

What if I have sole custody of my child?+

Submit a certified copy of the court order that specifically grants you sole custody with passport authority. Our experts verify this meets State Department requirements before submission, preventing delays.

When does my child need an adult passport?+

At age 16, your child must apply for their first adult passport using Form DS-11 in person. This adult passport is valid for 10 years instead of 5, and can be renewed by mail afterward.

Timing

How long does it take to get a child passport?+

Standard government processing takes 13-15 weeks plus mailing time. Our expedited services deliver in 3-15 business days: Emergency 3-4 days, Rush 7 days, Priority 9 days, Standard 15 days.

When should I apply for my child's passport?+

Apply as early as possible. Most countries require a passport valid at least 6 months beyond your travel dates. If your trip is soon, use our Rush or Emergency service.

How long is a child passport valid?+

Child passports are valid for 5 years — shorter than the 10-year adult passport — to account for children's rapidly changing appearance.

Documents

What documents do I need for my child's passport?+

You need: (1) Form DS-11 — completed but unsigned until in front of the acceptance agent; (2) Original or certified birth certificate; (3) Both parents' valid photo IDs; (4) Child passport photo (2x2 inch, white background, within 6 months); (5) Parental consent from both parents. We review all documents before your visit.

What if one parent cannot appear for the application?+

The absent parent completes Form DS-3053 (Statement of Consent) and has it notarized. The appearing parent brings this form plus a photocopy of the absent parent's ID. We help you prepare this correctly to avoid delays.

How do I take a passport photo of my baby or toddler?+

For infants: lay on a white sheet, photograph from above, no hands or pacifiers visible, eyes open or partially open. For toddlers: white wall background, even lighting, neutral expression. We verify all child photos meet State Department requirements before submission.

Cost

How much does a child passport cost?+

Government fees: $130 passport book + $35 execution fee = $165 total (paid to U.S. Dept. of State). Our expedited service fees: Standard $197, Priority $247, Rush $297, Emergency $347. All fees disclosed before payment — no hidden charges.

What is included in your child passport service fee?+

DS-11 preparation, parental consent form guidance, document review before your acceptance facility visit, error checking, hand-courier delivery to the passport agency, real-time tracking, and insured overnight return shipping. No hidden fees.