How to get US Passports for your Children

If you are planning to travel abroad with your children, you will need to get passports for them. Getting passports for your children is not very difficult, but it does require some preparation and paperwork. Here are the steps you need to follow to order passports for your children:

Gather the required documents and photos

Before you apply for your child’s passport, you will need to gather the following documents and photos:

• Evidence of U.S. citizenship for your child, such as a birth certificate, a certificate of citizenship, or a consular report of birth abroad¹.
• A photocopy of the front and back of the U.S. citizenship evidence, like social security card.
• Evidence of parental relationship for both parents or guardians, such as a birth certificate, an adoption decree, or a court order¹.
• A valid photo ID for both parents or guardians, such as a driver’s license, a passport, or a military ID¹.
• A photocopy of the front and back of the photo ID for both parents or guardians¹.
• Parental consent from both parents or guardians, or evidence of sole legal authority, if applicable¹. This can be done by either:
  • Both parents or guardians appearing in person with the child and signing the application form¹.
  • One parent or guardian appearing in person with the child and providing a notarized consent form from the other parent or guardian¹.
  • One parent or guardian appearing in person with the child and providing evidence of sole legal authority, such as a court order, a death certificate, or a statement of special circumstances¹.
• A passport photo for your child that meets the U.S. passport photo requirements². The photo should be 2 x 2 inches, in color, with a plain white or off-white background, and show your child’s full face with a neutral expression and both eyes open². You can have someone else take the photo for you, or use a passport photo service at a nearby location².

Fill out the appropriate application form

Depending on your child’s age and situation, you will need to fill out one of the following application forms:

• Form DS-11: Application for a U.S. Passport¹. This is the form you need to use if your child is under 16 years old, or if your child is 16 or 17 years old and does not have a previous passport or a valid driver’s license¹. You can fill out the form online using the form filler tool³, or print it out and fill it out by hand⁴. Do not sign the form until you are instructed to do so by an acceptance agent¹.
• Form DS-82: U.S. Passport Renewal Application for Eligible Individuals⁵. This is the form you need to use if your child is 16 or 17 years old and has a previous passport and a valid driver’s license⁵. You can fill out the form online using the form filler tool⁶, or print it out and fill it out by hand⁷. You can sign the form before you submit it⁵.

Find a passport acceptance facility near you

To submit your child’s passport application, you will need to find a passport acceptance facility near you. This can be a post office, a government office, a library, or another authorized location⁸. You can use the online locator tool⁹ to find the nearest facility to you. You may need to make an appointment in advance, depending on the facility⁸.

Submit your application and pay the fees

When you go to the passport acceptance facility, you will need to bring the following items with you:

• Your child and both parents or guardians, or one parent or guardian with the appropriate consent or authority¹.
• The completed and unsigned application form (DS-11) or the completed and signed application form (DS-82)¹⁵.
• The required documents and photos for your child¹.
• The application fee and the execution fee, if applicable. The application fee is paid directly to the U.S. Department of State, and the execution fee is paid directly to the acceptance facility. You can use the fee calculator to determine how much you need to pay, depending on the passport type and the processing time you choose. You can pay the fees by check, money order, or credit card, depending on the facility¹⁰.

The acceptance agent will review your application, verify your identity and citizenship, and witness your signature (or your child’s signature, if applicable). The agent will then seal your application and documents in an envelope and send it to the U.S. Department of State for processing.

Wait for your child’s passport to arrive

After you submit your application, you will need to wait for your child’s passport to arrive. The processing time depends on the service you choose and the demand at the time of your application10. You can check the status of your application online or by phone after 7-10 business days. You can also sign up for email or text notifications to receive updates on your application.

Your child’s passport will be mailed to you using the address you provided on your application form. If you applied for a passport book, you can request 1-2 day delivery service for an additional fee. If you applied for a passport card, it will be sent to you via First Class Mail. You should receive your child’s passport within 10-13 weeks for routine service, or 4-6 weeks for expedited service.