My child who is under 18 needs a passport. How do I get a passport for a child?

You can apply for a passport for your child by using a DS-11 and the subsequent requirements of the child /  minor passport application.

You can obtain a new passport for your child if any of the following apply:

  • Passport Applicant is a US Citizen under 16 years old;

The general overview of the process is as follows:

  1. You'll gather a variety of documents (DS11 passport application, Proof of Citizenship, Proof of Identity, Passport Photos, Passport Fees, Drivers License or other government approved ID, and BOTH parents will need to appear if under 16 years of age)
  2. You'll present yourself to a local passport acceptance agent like a US Postal Office or Clerk of the Court.
  3. You'll obtain your passport in the mail in 6-8 weeks. Alternatively, you can apply through us and obtain your passport in as fast as 24 hours.

Standard Child Passport Detailed Requirements

 

1Required Documents

  • image description Completed Passport Application (DS-11)
    Completed Passport Application (DS-11)

    Complete and print the DS-11 application online at https://pptform.state.gov/. and make a COPY to send to us.

    1. Click SUBMIT under Apply Online. The Passport Application System will then ask you a series of questions regarding your passport application.

    2. Fill in where appropriate. Please select the following options under Passport Product and Fees (You will NOT be asked to pay any of these fees electronically; you will simply be advised of what you should expect your fees to be):

    • Passport Options: Passport Book, 52 page recommended ($80-110)
    • Processing Methods: Expedited at Agency Service ($60)
    • Delivery Methods: Standard Delivery (FREE)

    3. Click next for printing instructions. Click "Create Form" at the bottom/end. Create Form will launch Adobe Acrobat Reader with your DS-11 application pre-filled.

    4. NOTE: The application MUST be completely filled out online and printed.

    5. NOTE: Please verify the application will have two barcodes, one on the left side and one on the bottom right side.

    6. REQUIRED: Make a COPY of the DS-11. The copy will need to be attached to the outside of your sealed application envelope (Step 2).

    7. NOTE: Please do not sign the DS-11 until you are instructed to during STEP 2 (Authorization).

  • image description New Passport Confirmation Form
    New Passport Confirmation Form

    Please print and complete one New Passport Confirmation Form to be included in your package shipping to Passports and Visas. This form should be attached to the OUTSIDE of your sealed envelope of application materials following STEP 2 (Authorization).

  • image description Proof of Relationship to the Minor Applicant
    Proof of Relationship to the Minor Applicant

    To provide the parent's or guardian's relationship to the applicant, ONE of the following will need to be submitted in original or certified copy form.

    1. Certified US Birth Certificate of the applicant (with parent's names) OR;
    2. Certified Foreign Born Birth Certificate of the applicant OR;
    3. Report of Birth Abroad of the Applicant OR Adoption Decree of Applicant (with adopting parent's names) OR;
    4. Court Order Establishing Custody or Guardianship of the Applicant.
  • image description Proof of U.S. Citizenship
    Proof of U.S. Citizenship

    To prove your US Citizenship, you must provide ONE of the following:

    1. Original Certified Birth Certificate issued by city, county or state (We strongly recommend a Long Form Birth Certificate which lists BOTH parent's names) OR;
    2. a previous US passport OR;
    3. If you were born outside of the United States, you'll need to provide a naturalization certificate or additional requirements for Proof of Citizenship for those born outside the US.
  • image description Parents Proof of Identity
    Parents Proof of Identity

    Each parent or guardian will be required and show a valid driver's license with photo that must have been issued greater than 6 months ago. 

    Make sure the acceptance agent (Step 2) makes a copy and notes on the DS-11 that you presented your ID.

    NOTE: If only one parent can appear, the parent making the appearance must submit the second parent's written, signed and notarized Statement of Consent (DS-3053)

  • image description Passport Photographs
    Passport Photographs

    You must provide two identical, recent 2 x 2 passport style photographs in color, front view and with a plain/white background. Make sure you are not wearing eye glasses, headgear or any uniform.You can obtain passport photos at a local drug store (Walgreen's, CVS) or consult Google for "passport photos" in your area.

  • image description Letter of Authorization
    Letter of Authorization

    You'll need to print and completely fill out two copies of the Passport Processing Letter of Authorization (included via the link). This allows us to act as an agent on your behalf.

    Please NOTE:

    1. (Click here) Complete the Processing Letter of Authorization form in BLUE ink
    2. Check the two top boxes/circles authorizing us to submit your application
    3. Write the applicant's full name on the APPLICANT NAME line
    4. Write today's date on the DATE line.
    5. Write "Passports and VIsas" on the COURIER COMPANY NAME line
    6. Make sure to sign at the bottom

    NOTE- For NEW PASSPORT (DS-11) ONLY: One Letter of Authorization should be sealed in your application envelope in Step 2. One Letter of Authorization should be included on the outside of your sealed envelope in the package you are sending to Passports and Visas for processing.

    You may view a SAMPLE Letter of Authorization here.

  • image description Proof of Departure
    Proof of Departure

    You must provide a copy of ONE of the following:

    • Your foreign travel plane ticket • Your printed travel itinerary showing foreign travel
    • If this is a business trip, you may present a business letter from your employer.

    NOTE- For NEW PASSPORT (DS-11) ONLY: Please make a copy of your Proof of Departure to include outside of your sealed envelope in the package you are sending to Passports and Visas for processing.

  • image description Fees
    Fees

    Make One check payable to "US Department of State" for $140 (this is the government processing fee).

    • Be sure to include your date of birth on the check.
    • Starter checks and 3rd party checks will NOT be accepted and will cause delays.

    Our Service Fee is $99

2Acceptance Agency

Visit a Local Passport Acceptance Facility

Once you have gathered the documents specified above, you'll bring them to a Passport Acceptance Facility to have them authenticated and placed inside a sealed envelope by a Passport Acceptance Officer. This sealed envelope is your application and is what you'll send to us for expediting. Please make sure your name, Date of Birth, Departure Date, and Date of In-Person Appearance are written on the outside of the envelope. Your extra DS-11, extra Letter of Authorization, extra Proof of Departure, and New Passport Confirmation Form should NOT be sealed in this envelope.

 

1Gather US Passport Application Documentation

1. Completed Passport Application (DS-11)

Complete and print the DS-11 application online at https://pptform.state.gov/. and make a COPY to send to us.

1. Click SUBMIT under Apply Online. The Passport Application System will then ask you a series of questions regarding your passport application.

2. Fill in where appropriate. Please select the following options under Passport Product and Fees (You will NOT be asked to pay any of these fees electronically; you will simply be advised of what you should expect your fees to be):

  • Passport Options: Passport Book, 52 page recommended ($80-110)
  • Processing Methods: Expedited at Agency Service ($60)
  • Delivery Methods: Standard Delivery (FREE)

3. Click next for printing instructions. Click "Create Form" at the bottom/end. Create Form will launch Adobe Acrobat Reader with your DS-11 application pre-filled.

4. NOTE: The application MUST be completely filled out online and printed.

5. NOTE: Please verify the application will have two barcodes, one on the left side and one on the bottom right side.

6. REQUIRED: Make a COPY of the DS-11. The copy will need to be attached to the outside of your sealed application envelope (Step 2).

7. NOTE: Please do not sign the DS-11 until you are instructed to during STEP 2 (Authorization).

1. New Passport Confirmation Form

Please print and complete one New Passport Confirmation Form to be included in your package shipping to Passports and Visas. This form should be attached to the OUTSIDE of your sealed envelope of application materials following STEP 2 (Authorization).

1. Proof of U.S. Citizenship

To prove your US Citizenship, you must provide ONE of the following:

  1. Original Certified Birth Certificate issued by city, county or state (We strongly recommend a Long Form Birth Certificate which lists BOTH parent's names) OR;
  2. a previous US passport OR;
  3. If you were born outside of the United States, you'll need to provide a naturalization certificate or additional requirements for Proof of Citizenship for those born outside the US.

1. Proof of Relationship to the Minor Applicant

To provide the parent's or guardian's relationship to the applicant, ONE of the following will need to be submitted in original or certified copy form.

  1. Certified US Birth Certificate of the applicant (with parent's names) OR;
  2. Certified Foreign Born Birth Certificate of the applicant OR;
  3. Report of Birth Abroad of the Applicant OR Adoption Decree of Applicant (with adopting parent's names) OR;
  4. Court Order Establishing Custody or Guardianship of the Applicant.

1. Parents Proof of Identity

Each parent or guardian will be required and show a valid driver's license with photo that must have been issued greater than 6 months ago. 

Make sure the acceptance agent (Step 2) makes a copy and notes on the DS-11 that you presented your ID.

NOTE: If only one parent can appear, the parent making the appearance must submit the second parent's written, signed and notarized Statement of Consent (DS-3053)

1. Passport Photographs

You must provide two identical, recent 2 x 2 passport style photographs in color, front view and with a plain/white background. Make sure you are not wearing eye glasses, headgear or any uniform.You can obtain passport photos at a local drug store (Walgreen's, CVS) or consult Google for "passport photos" in your area.

1. Letter of Authorization

You'll need to print and completely fill out two copies of the Passport Processing Letter of Authorization (included via the link). This allows us to act as an agent on your behalf.

Please NOTE:

  1. (Click here) Complete the Processing Letter of Authorization form in BLUE ink
  2. Check the two top boxes/circles authorizing us to submit your application
  3. Write the applicant's full name on the APPLICANT NAME line
  4. Write today's date on the DATE line.
  5. Write "Passports and VIsas" on the COURIER COMPANY NAME line
  6. Make sure to sign at the bottom

NOTE- For NEW PASSPORT (DS-11) ONLY: One Letter of Authorization should be sealed in your application envelope in Step 2. One Letter of Authorization should be included on the outside of your sealed envelope in the package you are sending to Passports and Visas for processing.

You may view a SAMPLE Letter of Authorization here.

1. Proof of Departure

You must provide a copy of ONE of the following:

  • Your foreign travel plane ticket • Your printed travel itinerary showing foreign travel
  • If this is a business trip, you may present a business letter from your employer.

NOTE- For NEW PASSPORT (DS-11) ONLY: Please make a copy of your Proof of Departure to include outside of your sealed envelope in the package you are sending to Passports and Visas for processing.

1. Fees

Make One check payable to "US Department of State" for $140 (this is the government processing fee).

  • Be sure to include your date of birth on the check.
  • Starter checks and 3rd party checks will NOT be accepted and will cause delays.

Our Service Fee is $99

2 Application Authorized by Acceptance Agent

2. Acceptance Agent - Verify Documents

Verify that you have collected the following documents prior to visiting the acceptance agent (Post Office or Clerk of the Court)

  1. Passport Application Form
  2. Proof of Citizenship
  3. Proof of Identity
  4. Two Passport Photographs
  5. Passport Processing Authorization Letter
  6. Proof of Travel (Itinerary)
  7. $ 140 Check to US Department of State + $25 Fees for the Acceptance Agent.

2. Acceptance Agent - Authorization

Bring all of the above original documents to a Passport Acceptance Facility and notify the agent that you are using an expediting service to "hand carry" your application.

Most facilities are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm.  Click here to find a convenient Passport Acceptance Facility.  The acceptance agent will take about 10 minutes to go through the following steps:

  1. To verify identity, the agent will request your proof of identity.
  2. The agent will ask you to sign your passport application (DS-11) and then sign and seal it themselves.
  3. The agent will seal all documents in an envelope and "stamp it".
  4. Please attach your New Passport Confirmation Form, your extra DS-11 copy, extra Letter of Authorization, and extra Proof of Departure to the outside of your sealed application envelope.

Make sure the agent returns the sealed envelope to you. This envelope contains your application and will be sent to us.

Do NOT open the sealed envelope, as it will render it invalid.

Please make sure your name, Date of Birth, Departure Date, and Date of In-Person Appearance are written on the outside of the envelope.

Do not seal our order confirmation or check to Passports and Visas.com in the envelope.

 

Do you need a Passport inside 8 weeks?
Passports and Visas.com will help you with your passport needs It's easy, painless and fast.
Click Here to Get Your Passport Fast
Do you need a Passport or Travel Visa for your upcoming trip?

Answer two questions and we'll show you if you need a travel visa or passport for your upcoming trip