Apply for a Child U.S. Passport
This service is for children under age 16 who are getting a U.S. passport for the first time or need a new passport. Child Passport applications use Form DS-11 and must be submitted in person with the child and their parents or legal guardians.
If one parent can’t appear, we include Form DS-3053 (notarized consent) or the sole-authority documentation checklist.
Government fees$100 government application fee for a child, paid to the U.S. Department of State, plus a separate $35 acceptance fee paid directly to the acceptance facility (accepted payment methods vary by location). Optional expedited service adds the State Department's $60 expedite fee plus $26.87 for 1–3 day return delivery of a passport book ($86.87 together).
What Should You Know Before Applying?
Passports issued to children under age 16 are valid for five years and cannot be renewed. A new application is required each time the child needs a new passport, even if the child has had one before.
What Do You Need to Apply?
Most families need only a few standard items:
- Proof of the child’s U.S. citizenship and relationship to the parents or guardians
- Government-issued photo IDs for the parents or guardians
- One printed passport photo of the child that meets government requirements
- Applicable government fees
In many cases, the child’s birth certificate can establish both U.S. citizenship and the parental relationship. Based on the information you provide, US Passport Assist will explain which documents and copies are required and help you prepare the child’s DS-11 application package.
How Does the Application Process Work?
- Provide the Child and Parent Information
Complete the online application and provide the information needed to prepare the child’s passport application package.
- We Prepare and Review the Application
US Passport Assist prepares Form DS-11, reviews the application information and passport photo, and creates a personalized document checklist for your family.
- Receive Your Application Package
We mail the prepared application package to you with the required form, personalized checklist, and clear instructions for your acceptance-facility visit.
- Visit a Passport Acceptance Facility
The child and both parents or legal guardians generally must appear together at an authorized passport acceptance facility. Bring the prepared application package and required documents, and do not sign the application before the visit. If one parent or guardian cannot appear, Form DS-3053 (Statement of Consent) may be required. We will provide instructions based on your family’s situation.
- Submit and Track the Application
Pay the applicable government fees and submit the child’s application through the acceptance facility. After submission, you can follow the progress of the passport application.
US Passport Assist helps your family prepare the application, organize the required documents, and understand the process before the in-person visit.
Common questions
Do both parents need to be present for a child’s passport?
Both parents or guardians must appear with the child, or the absent parent must provide a notarized Form DS-3053 consent signed within the last 90 days. A parent with documented sole legal authority can apply alone with the court order or equivalent evidence.
Can I renew my child’s passport by mail?
No. Passports issued to children under 16 cannot be renewed — every application is a new in-person DS-11 with citizenship evidence and parental consent, even if the child had a passport before.
More answers in the FAQ hub.