Child Passport Application Instructions (Under Age 16)

How to apply for a minor's passport using Form DS‑11: parental consent rules, required documents, the two‑parent rule, and what to bring to the facility.

Last Updated: February 19, 2026

Key facts

•All children under age 16 must apply in person using Form DS‑11.
•Child passports are valid for 5 years and cannot be renewed by mail.
•The child must be present at the acceptance facility.
•Both parents or guardians must authorize the passport — strict parental consent rules apply.

Child passport applications are rejected most often due to missing parental consent documentation. Read the consent section below carefully to avoid delays.

Step 1 — Prepare the child's DS‑11 form

Our system guides you through the parental consent section and child‑specific questions, ensures the DS‑11 is flagged correctly for a minor, and generates a printable, compliant PDF.

Create Child's DS‑11 Form

Step 2 — Download and print the form

After completing the form, we will review your information and generate the official DS‑11 PDF for you to download.

•Download the completed DS‑11 PDF that our system generates for you.
•To correctly open and view your form, you will need to use Adobe Acrobat Reader (free download).
•Print the form on single‑sided, plain white paper.

Do NOT sign the DS‑11 form. Neither parent nor the child should sign until instructed by the acceptance agent, who will administer an oath and witness all signatures.

Step 3 — Gather your documents

Bring all of the following to the acceptance facility. Every item is submitted alongside the printed DS‑11.

Evidence of citizenship and parental relationship

•Submit the original or a certified copy of the child's U.S. citizenship evidence (photocopies alone are not accepted).
•The document must list the names of the parents to prove the parental relationship (e.g., a U.S. birth certificate listing parent names, Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or adoption decree).
•Include a photocopy of the front (and back, if printed) of whatever document you submit.
•See our proof of citizenship guide for secondary evidence and foreign‑language translation rules.

Parental consent (the "two‑parent rule")

•Both parents/guardians must appear in person with the child at the acceptance facility.
•Both parents must sign the application in front of the acceptance agent.

If only one parent can appear

You must submit one of the following to satisfy the consent requirement for the absent parent:

Situation	What to submit
Second parent gives consent but cannot attend	Form DS‑3053 (Statement of Consent) — must include the child's full name and date of birth, be signed and notarized on the same day, be no more than 3 months old, and include a front and back photocopy of the absent parent's government‑issued photo ID.
Second parent is deceased	The second parent's death certificate.
Sole legal custody	Evidence of sole authority (e.g., a court order granting sole legal custody or a birth certificate listing only one parent).
Second parent cannot be reached	A written statement under penalty of perjury or Form DS‑5525 explaining, in detail, why the second parent cannot be contacted.

Parents'/guardians' identification

•Each parent/guardian appearing must present their own valid, government‑issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, military ID, etc.).
•Bring a photocopy of the front and back of each parent's ID to submit with the application.
•See our proof of identity guide for the full list of accepted IDs.

Child's passport photo

•Bring one (1) recent color photograph of the child, taken within the last 6 months.
•Photo must be 2″ × 2″, with a white or off‑white background. Only the child should appear in the frame.
•For infants, it is acceptable if the eyes are not fully open. Older children must have both eyes open with a neutral expression.
•See our passport photo requirements guide for full specifications and tips for photographing babies.

Passport fees (two payments)

Product	Application fee	Execution fee	Total (routine)
Passport Book	$100	$35	$135
Passport Card	$15	$35	$50
Book & Card	$115	$35	$150

The application fee is paid by check or money order to "U.S. Department of State." The $35 execution fee is paid separately to the acceptance facility. See our passport fee guide for optional add‑ons (expedited service, 1–2 day delivery).

Step 4 — Visit an acceptance facility

Take the child, both parents (or one parent with the required consent documentation), the completed (unsigned) DS‑11, photo, supporting documents, and payments to an authorized acceptance facility. The agent will verify everything, administer an oath, and witness the signatures.

Acceptance facilities

These are commonly located inside:

•Post Offices
•Public Libraries
•Clerks of Court

Urgent travel notice

If the child is travelling internationally within 14 days, you cannot use a standard acceptance facility. You must make an appointment at a Regional Passport Agency.

To make an appointment, contact the National Passport Information Center at 1‑877‑487‑2778.

•The automated appointment system is available 24/7.
•This service can only be used if the child must travel urgently (within 14 days) or for life‑or‑death emergencies.

After you apply

Track the application status online at passportstatus.state.gov. The child's original citizenship evidence will be returned in a separate mailing from the new passport.

Frequently asked questions

Simplify the parental consent process

Our system ensures your application package is complete — including the parental consent section that causes the most rejections. Start now to avoid delays at the facility.

Start Child Application

Requirements and processes can change. This guide reflects information as of February 19, 2026. Always follow the latest instructions on travel.state.gov and your acceptance facility.

Disclaimer: Passport Rush LLC operates PassportVisaRush.com, a private document preparation service that assists clients with completing and organizing passport and visa application forms before submission to official U.S. Passport Agencies.

We are not a government entity and are not affiliated with any U.S. Department of State office or federal agency. We do not offer legal advice. Individuals requiring legal assistance should consult a licensed attorney.

Our online preparation system and customer support are optional paid services designed to simplify and expedite the document preparation process for U.S. citizens. All required forms are also available for free directly through the official U.S. Department of State website at travel.state.gov, but without the guided preparation, document review, and submission support provided by PassportVisaRush.com.