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Child Passport Application (Form DS-11)

For a child under the age of 16 to apply for a new U.S. passport, parents or legal guardians must complete and submit Form DS-11. Children’s passports can’t be renewed by mail, so the same application form is used for their first passport, as well as replacements for expired passports, or those that have been lost, damaged, or stolen.

My Passport Hub helps you prepare your child's passport application form online with simple, hassle-free guidance. Use our platform to complete Form DS-11, check your details, and generate the printed form you need before attending the in-person appointment.

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How to Apply for Your U.S. Passport for children

Fill in Form DS-11 for children

Follow our simple instructions and complete your child passport application form online in minutes.
Print and submit in-person

Print the completed form and take it to a passport acceptance facility with the child and both parents or legal guardians. Bring the required ID, parental consent, proof of your child’s U.S. citizenship, and a passport photo.
Receive your child’s passport

After your child’s passport is issued, it’ll be mailed to your home address.

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Child Passport Requirements & Instructions

A U.S. passport application for a minor must be submitted in person at a passport acceptance facility. Parents or legal guardians should prepare the required documents before the appointment.

The following documentation must also accompany your application:

Proof of your child’s U.S. citizenship
Evidence of your parental relationship
Valid form of parent or guardian ID
Parental consent from both parents or legal guardians
One complaint passport photo of your child

Important: Any documentation you provide to prove your parental relationship or your child’s citizenship, such as a birth certificate, must be a certified copy.

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Is Form DS-11 Right for Your Child?

Form DS-11 is the required child passport application form for children under 16. A child cannot renew a passport by mail, even if they already had a passport before.

This means parents or legal guardians must use Form DS-11 for a first child passport, to renew an expired child passport, or to replace a child passport that was lost, damaged, or stolen.

Real use cases: Child passport applications

International travel with a young child: If your child is traveling outside the United States, they need their own passport, regardless of age. This includes infants and newborns, so parents preparing a baby passport must still complete Form DS-11 and attend the appointment in person.
One parent absent: If one parent or legal guardian cannot attend the passport appointment, the absent parent may need to provide a notarized Form DS-3053 statement of consent. This is a common step when one parent is traveling, deployed, working away, or unable to attend.

Rules to qualify

To submit a Form DS-11 for your child’s new passport, they must meet the following criteria:

They’re under the age of 16
It’s the first U.S. passport they are applying for, or their previous child's passport is expiring or has expired, or
Their previous U.S. passport was lost, damaged, or stolen

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Do you need to complete another form?

This page is for child passport applications using Form DS-11. If you’re not applying for a passport for a child under 16, you may need a different passport form or service.

You may need another passport application if:

You need to apply for a new U.S. passport as an adult.
You need to complete a U.S. passport renewal for an eligible adult passport.
You need to report a lost or stolen passport before applying again.

FAQs

Do both parents need to be present for a child's passport?

Yes. For a passport application for a child under 16, both parents or legal guardians generally need to appear in person with the child and provide consent. This rule helps protect minors and prevent unauthorized passport issuance.

If one parent cannot attend, extra consent documentation is usually required. Don’t mail the child passport application yourself; it must be submitted at a passport acceptance facility.

How can I get a child's passport with one parent absent?

If one parent or legal guardian can’t attend the appointment, the absent parent may need to complete Form DS-3053, Statement of Consent. This form must usually be signed in front of a notary and submitted with a photocopy of the absent parent’s ID.

The attending parent should bring this document with Form DS-11, citizenship evidence, relationship evidence, ID, and a passport photo. The child also needs to attend.

How much is a passport for a child?

For a child under 16, the current government fee for a passport book is $100, plus a $35 acceptance facility fee. The application fee and execution fee are paid separately.

Costs can change if you request a passport card, expedited service, or optional delivery services, so make sure to confirm the final fee before your appointment.

How long does a child's passport last?

A child passport issued to someone under 16 lasts for 5 years. This is different from an adult passport, which is usually valid for 10 years.

When a child passport expires, it cannot be renewed by mail using the adult renewal process. Parents or legal guardians must apply again in person using Form DS-11.

At what age does a child need a passport?

A child needs a passport for international air travel from birth. There’s no minimum age that exempts a baby or young child from passport requirements when traveling outside the United States.

Each child must have their own passport, even when traveling with parents. Parents preparing a baby passport still need Form DS-11, supporting documents, consent, and an in-person appointment.

Can I renew a child passport by mail?

No. You can’t renew a child passport by mail using Form DS-82, or any other form. Passports issued to children under 16 are not renewed in the same way as eligible adult passports.

When the child’s passport expires, parents or legal guardians must submit a new child passport application in person using Form DS-11.

Can you get a passport if you owe child support?

You may be blocked from getting a U.S. passport if you owe $2,500 or more in past-due child support. This can affect passport issuance until the debt issue is resolved through the appropriate state child support agency.

If this may apply to you, you should address any child support issues before relying on a new passport for travel.

Do I need a baby passport photo?

Yes. A baby passport application still needs a passport photo. The baby must be the only person in the photo, with no parent, hand, toy, or car seat visible. The background should be plain white or off-white.

For babies, the eyes should preferably be open, but the key point is that the photo clearly shows the child’s face.