Standard Child Passport Detailed Requirements

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. Handwritten passport applications will NOT be accepted by the US Department of State.

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 ($130-160)
• 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. REQUIRED: Social Security Number MUST be entered on application. If you have never been issued a SSN, please submit a signed statement. You may view a sample statement here.

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

7. 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).

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

9. REQUIRED: The sealed envelope (obtained after Step 2) should have the date of sealing clearly noted on the outside of the itself.  The Acceptance agent may use a dated stamp on your envelope, however if they do not, please request they mark your envelope clearly with the date of sealing.

1. Document Pre-Check

Prior to visiting an Acceptance Agent/Post office for your New Passport application, securely upload photos of your documents to our expert team to review to confirm your application is ready to be submitted once we receive it.

Upload your New Passport Documents using our Pre-Check Service here 

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) AND a copy of the birth certificate OR;
2. a previous US passport book/card 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.

NOTE: A copy of your Birth Certificate will be required along with your original.

NOTE: If your previous 10-year passport and/or passport card is damaged or mutilated, please include a signed, DETAILD statement explaining the condition of your passport book/card. The damaged/mutilated passport book/card will be retained and destroyed by the US Department of State.

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

Both parents should appear with the child applicant for an in person appearance with an acceptance agenct (Step 2).

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 with the child applicant, the parent making the appearance must submit the second parent's written, signed and notarized Statement of Consent (DS-3053) (click here)  If this parent happens to be in another country at the time of notarization, the notarization MUST be completed at a US Consulate or Embassy.   A local foreign notary public is NOT acceptable. 

NOTE: If either parent has had a legal name change since the document proving relationship to the minor was issued (example, parent's last name on driver's license does not match parent's name as listed on child's birth certificate), then parent must also provide original documentation for this legal name change.

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. You can obtain passport photos at a local drug store (Walgreen's, CVS) in your area.

IF you chose our digital photo service, you can simply take a selfie and upload the photo and we'll properly size the photo and adjust the background to create a perfectly compliant passport photo.

US Passport Photo Requirements:

- Your head must face the camera directly with full face in view.

- You must have a neutral facial expression or a natural smile, with both eyes open.

- Taken in clothing normally worn on a daily basis

- Taken in the last 6 months

- Use a plain white or off-white background

- Be sized correctly

• 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm) 
• Head must be between 1 -1 3/8 inches (25 - 35 mm) from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head

- Printed in color on matte or glossy photo quality paper

- You cannot wear glasses.

• If you cannot remove your glasses for medical reasons, please include a signed note from your doctor with application.

- You cannot wear a hat or head covering.

• If you wear a hat or head covering for religious purposes, submit a signed statement that verifies that the hat or head covering in your photo is part of recognized, traditional religious attire that is customarily or required to be worn continuously in public.
• If you wear a hat or head covering for medical purposes, submit a signed doctor's statement verifying the hat or head covering in your photo is used daily for medical purposes.
• Your full face must be visible and your hat or head covering cannot obscure your hairline or cast shadows on your face.

- You cannot wear headphones or wireless hands-free devices.

1. Letter of Authorization

Contact us to receive your Letter of Authorization.

The Letter of Authorization (LOA) is required in order to expedite your passport. The LOA gives us permission to represent you at the U.S. Department of State to secure your passport.

One copy must be included within your sealed documents. An additional copy must be inside your FedEx package.

Ensure that the Courier Company Name is printed as it appears at the top of that page. This will help avoid processing delays. Hand print and sign in BLACK INK ONLY. (PRINT TWO COPIES)

Contact us for your required Letter of Authorization.
[email protected]
844-804-6223

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 $160 (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.
• If you have selected to also purchase a passport card, an additional $30 for adults 16 and older (or an additional $15 for children 15 and younger) should be included in your check to US Department of State.

Our Service Fee is $149

3.2 Send the Application to Passports and Visas.com

Please Note: If you paid for an inbound shipping service your account manager will contact you to provide a Shipping Label via email to send us your completed application. 

Send the Overnight Envelope (Fedex, UPS, etc) to us at :