Passports Requirements  for minors under age 16

NOTE:  Parents MUST bring an original or certified copy of the birth certificate for minors under Age 16 to establish proof of citizen and proof of relationship.  See detailed information below. 

1. Provide Application Form DS-11

2. Submit Proof of U.S. Citizenship (for)
For Minors under Age 16 you must establish proof of citizenship AND proof of relationship. Previous U.S. passports are not acceptable as proof of relationship to the applying parent(s)/guardian(s). See number 3 below for proof of relationship.
For proof of citizenship, you will need to submit one of the following:

• Certified U.S. birth certificate ; or
  
• Previous fully valid U.S. Passport; or
  
• Report of Birth Abroad (Form FS-240); or
  
• Certification of Birth Abroad (Form DS-1350); or
  
• Certificate of Citizenship or Naturalization from USCIS.

3. Present Evidence of Child's Relationship to Parents/Guardians (for minors under age 16)

Note: Previous U.S. passports are not acceptable as proof of relationship to the applying parent(s)/guardian(s).

You will need to submit one of the following:

• Certified U.S. birth certificate (with parents' names); or
• Certified Foreign Birth Certificate (with parents' names and translation, if necessary); or
• Report of Birth Abroad (Form FS-240) (with parents' names); or
• Certification of Birth Abroad ( Form DS-1350) (with parents' names); or
• Adoption Decree ( with adopting parents' names); or
• Court Order Establishing Custody; or
• Court Order Establishing Guardianship

4. Provide Parental Identification (for minors under age 16)
Each parent or guardian must submit one of the following:

• Valid Drivers License
• Valid Official U.S. Military ID
• Valid U.S. Gov't ID
• Valid U.S. or Foreign Passport with recognizable photo
• Naturalization/Citizenship Certificate from USCIS with recognizable photo
• Alien Resident Card from USCIS

NOTE: Your Social Security Card does NOT prove your identity

• 5. Present Parental Application Permission Documentation
  Both parents must appear together and sign or
  One parent appears, signs, and submits second parent's notarized statement of consent authorizing passport issuance for the child (a notarized Form DS-3053, Statement of Consent: Issuance of a Passport to a Minor Under Age 16, or a notarized written statement with the same information on a sheet of paper from the non-appearing parent) or
  One parents appears, signs, and submits primary evidence of sole authority to apply (such as one of the following):
• Child's certified U.S. or foreign birth certificate (with translation, if necessary) listing only applying parent; or
• Consular Report of Birth Abroad (Form FS-240) or Certification of Birth Abroad (Form DS-1350) listing only applying parent; or
• Court order granting sole custody to the applying parent (unless child's travel is restricted by that order); or
• Adoption decree (if applying parents is sole adopting parent); or
• Court order specifically permitting applying parent's or guardian's travel with the child; or
• Judicial declaration of incompetence of non-applying parent; or
• Death certificate of non-applying parent

If none of the above documentation is available, the applying parent/guardian should submit a Form DS-3053: Statement of Consent: Issuance of a Passport to a Minor Under Age 16.

NOTE:
A third-party in loco parentis applying on behalf of a minor under the age of 16 must submit a notarized written statement or affidavit from both parents or guardians authorizing a third-party to apply for a passport. When the statement or affidavit is from only one parent/guardian, the third-party must present evidence of sole custody of the authorizing parent/guardian.

6. Provide Two Passport Photos

• 2x2 inches in size
• Identical
• Taken within the past 6 months, showing current appearance
• Color
• Full face, front view with a plain white or off-white background
• Between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head
• Taken in normal street attire
  Uniforms should not be worn in photographs
• Do not wear a hat or headgear that obscures the hair or hairline unless worn daily for religious purposes.
• If you normally wear prescription glasses, a hearing device, wig or similar articles, they should be worn for your picture.
• Dark glasses or nonprescription glasses with tinted lenses are not acceptable unless you need them for medical reasons. A medical certificate may be required.

7. Pay the Applicable Fee
8. Provide a Social Security Number
If you do not provide your Social Security Number, the Internal Revenue Service may impose a $500 penalty. If you have any questions please call your nearest IRS office.
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