It used to be that travel to Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean required nothing more than a birth certificate and photo ID. Today, travel to any country outside of the U.S. and its territories require a passport for all ages, including infants. Here's what you'll need to know as you begin the process.
What You First Need to Know
- To apply for a passport for the first time, children must appear in person with both parents. You may visit a local passport agency, your local post office municipal/town/county government offices, and possibly your local library. While government agencies may accept walk-ins, most require appointments and do not handle passports at all times or even all days. Best bet since you'll have the kids in tow even if you are electing to visit a government center is to make an appointment in advance. If you do require a passport quickly, you may schedule an appointment at a passport agency. These are only available if you need a passport in less than 2 weeks or within 4 weeks to obtain a foreign visa.
- U.S. Guidelines and Application Process for Minors
- Passport Application Form
- Parental Consent Form
- Find a Passport Acceptance Facility
- Find a Passport Agency
More forms and information can also be viewed on the federal website. - Find a Passport Agency
You did read that correctly above: BOTH parents must accompany the child. If it's too difficult for both parents to attend, or in particular you are divorced with sole legal custody, you will need to bring with you a notarized form DS-3053 (see links at the end to find forms), which states the parent not present consents to the child receiving a passport. (This form is only valid for 3 months.) If you are divorced you will also need to bring in the court order that grants you the legal guardian. If your spouse is deceased, you can bring a copy of the death certificate verifying why you are applying alone. If, for any reason, you cannot bring in any or all of the documentation mentioned, you will need to complete and bring in the DS-3053 form stating why you cannot get consent. Sometimes, a court order may grant travel with the child, in which case that will need to be brought in, as well.
You will also need to bring in a copy of the child's birth certificate or adoption decree (if applicable). If your child was born in another country, you will need to bring in the consular report of birth abroad (Form FS-240) or certificate of birth abroad (Form DS-1350). The birth certificate has to be an official birth certificate, and not a copy, or it will not be accepted. Both parents also need to provide a copy of both sides of their driver's license. If one parent isn't present, a copy needs to be brought in with you.
Now that you've gathered all the documents illustrating you are the parent/guardian and who your child is, you can complete form DS-11, which provides all the information that will be used on your child's passport.
What to Expect at the Appointment
- At your appointment, the clerk will double check that you have all the forms and identification required. (And believe me, they will send you on your way should you not!) They will then take a passport photo of your child. (They may charge extra for this fee, but it typically isn't over $12.) You may obtain a passport photo from a number of authorized locations, such as a Wal-Mart passport photo, and bring them in with you, should you choose. They must be color, 2x2 inches in size with the head between 1 and 1 3/8 inches from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head, taken in front of a white or off-white background, without hats, and taken within the last 6 month.
Once all forms have been submitted and signed, you will have a number of fees to submit. If you are obtaining a passport for more than one child, you will need to submit one check per child. The application fee is $80. The post office and other facilities may also charge a processing fee. Our application for two passports cost an additional $80 in processing fees and photos. We were also charged the postage and guaranteed delivery service. You should be applying for a passport within at least 6 weeks of your scheduled trip. It typically takes 2 to 3 weeks to receive a passport but it is not guaranteed. Should you have less than 6 weeks, it is recommended you select Expedited Service, which is an additional $60 per child. The federal government suggests you select overnight delivery for your passport to be sent, which costs an additional $12.72.
Special Information
- Passports for children are good for five years, until the age of 16, when they will be good for the standard 10 years. When renewing a passport for a child, you will have to again appear in person, following the original procedures. Only when a child is 16 and older will they be able to renew a passport by mail.
If your child undergoes a name change and requires a new passport, you will have two options. If it was due to a marriage and the original passport is less than 1 year old, you can then mail in the former passport with a DS-5504 name change form, an original copy of the government document stating the name change, and a new passport photo. There will not be a fee, unless requesting expedited service. However, is the passport is more than 1 year old, you will have to appear in person again and begin the process anew, including all forms and fees, as well as bringing 3 public records showing the child's assumed name.
Children will not need new passports due to aging, growing in size. The government is expecting it, and it is also the reason they are renewed every 5 years instead of 10.
If a passport is received with incorrect information, the government will not charge a fee for correcting it. You will need to submit Form DS-5504 via the mail.
If you travel quite a bit and require more pages to be added to a valid passport, you may request one for an $82 fee and submitting the passport along with Form DS-4085. It is recommended you do this when there are less than 4 Visa pages remaining in the passport.
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