Passport Applications in Person

Passports for Minors under age 16

Special Requirements for Minor Children under Age 16

Important Note: As of February 1st, 2008, the two-parent signature requirement has been extended to all children under age 16, whereas previously this was only required for children under age 14.

Each minor child must appear in person and provide the required documentation.  Both parents’ consent and signatures are mandatory for passport issuance for minors under 16.  Either both parents accompany the child, or one parent accompanies the child, and the non-applying parent submits a notarized statement of consent for passport issuance (See item 6 below).

Step-by-step instructions are available to obtain a first time or renewal passport for your child.

1. Make an appointment.;

2. Complete Application Form DS-11;

Please do not sign the application form until the consular officer requests you to do so.

3. Present Child
As directed by Regulation 22 CFR 51.21 and 51.27 each minor child applying for a passport must appear before a Consular Officer.;

4. Submit Proof of Child's U.S. Citizenship
When renewing a currently valid or recently expired U.S. passport, the current passport must be submitted. If replacing a lost or stolen passport or applying for a first-time passport, the following documentation is required:

Certified U.S. birth certificate; or Consular Report of Birth Abroad (Form FS-240 issued for a child born overseas); or Certificate of Citizenship or Naturalization from USCIS (formerly INS).

5. Present Evidence of Relationship to Parents/Guardians
Documents demonstrating a child's relationship to parents or guardians, include:

6. Provide Parental Identification
Each parent or guardian must submit one of the following:

• Valid drivers license, U.S. military identification, or U.S. government identification with recognizable photo.
• Valid U.S. or foreign passport or alien resident card with recognizable photo.
• Naturalization/Citizenship certificate from USCIS with recognizable photo. 

 7. Present Parental Application Permission Documentation
In most cases, both parents must appear and sign the passport application form before a Consular Officer. In the event that one parent cannot appear before a Consular Officer, a notarized Statement of Consent must be signed and submitted with the passport application. One-parent signatures are also acceptable when submitting the following primary evidence of sole authority to apply:

• Child's certified U.S. or foreign birth certificate listing only applying parent; or
• Consular Report of Birth Abroad (Form FS-240) listing only applying parent; or
• Court order granting sole custody to applying parent (unless child's travel is restricted by order); or
• Adoption decree (if applying parents is sole adoptive 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.

A third-party in loco parentis may not apply on behalf of a child under 16 except in exigent circumstances.

8. Provide Two Passport Photos
The passport photos must meet the State Department requirements and should be 2" x 2" (approx. 5cm x 5xm) on a white background.   Click here for detailed passport photo guidance.

9. Pay the appropriate Fee.

Processing Time

Passports are printed in the United States with a secure photo-digitized image of the bearer. You should allow for up to 10 to 15 working days for your application to be processed.

Passports for a baby born in The Netherlands

When applying for a first-time passport for a baby born in The Netherlands, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad and the passport can be applied for simultaneously.