Get a Passport Homepage

You must submit a document that lists the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) of the child. Examples include:

• U.S. birth certificate (also evidence of U.S. citizenship)
• Foreign birth certificate
• Adoption decree
• Divorce or custody decree
• A court order

Some documents, like a U.S. birth certificate, show both U.S. citizenship and parental relationship. These documents must be originals or certified copies (not photocopies).

You and your child may have different last names, as long as the document showing your relationship to your child lists your full name.

If your name is different than the one on the document showing your relationship to your child, submit proof of your legal name change.

4. Get a Photo ID (and a photocopy)

Both parents or guardians must bring a physical, photo ID and a photocopy of it. If your photo ID is from a different state than the state in which you are applying, bring a second photo ID.

You must show at least one of these photo IDs:

• Valid or expired, undamaged U.S. passport book or passport card
• In-state, fully valid driver's license or enhanced driver's license with photo
• Certificate of Naturalization
• Certificate of Citizenship
• Government employee ID (city, county, state, or federal)
• U.S. military or military dependent ID
• Current (valid) foreign passport
• Matricula Consular (Mexican Consular ID) used by a parent of a U.S. citizen child applicant
• U.S. Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) used by a parent of a U.S. citizen child applicant
• Trusted Traveler IDs (including valid Global Entry, FAST, SENTRI, and NEXUS cards)
• Enhanced Tribal Cards and Native American tribal photo IDs
• Note: you may need to show another ID when presenting one of these documents:
  • In-state, fully-valid learner's permit with photo,
  • In-state, fully-valid non-driver ID with photo,
  • Temporary driver's license with photo, or
  • Employment Authorization Document (EAD)

  If you do not have one of these photo IDs, go to our Identification page for more information.

  Tips for making a photocopy:

  • Black and white (no color)
  • Use 8.5 inch by 11 inch paper
  • Use a single side of the paper

  5. Show More Documents (if both parents or guardians cannot apply)

  • Both parents or guardians must approve that we can issue a passport to a child, and go with the child to apply in person.
  • If one or both parents or guardians cannot apply in person with their child, you will need to show more documents.
  • Sign and date Form DS-3053 in front of a certified notary public, and
  • Submit a photocopy of the photo ID provided to the notary public.

  Submit one of these documents:

  • A court order granting you sole custody, or giving you permission to apply for your child's passport
  • Certified copy of the child's birth certificate or adoption decree listing you as the only parent
  • Certified copy of the death certificate of the parent that cannot appear in person
  • If the legal guardian of the child is an office or private institution, provide:
    • A certified copy of the court order which says the office or institution is the child's guardian.
    • Written approval from the office or institution that the individual applying for the child can apply. Include a complete Form DS-3053.
    • The employee ID of the individual applying to show they work for the office or institution.
    • We may ask you for more evidence such as a custody order, an incarceration order, or a restraining order to protect against international parental child abduction.
    • If the non-applying parent is deployed by the military, that parent should provide a notarized Form DS-3053 in most cases.

    Submit a Statement of Consent: Form DS-3053 or a notarized statement from both parents or guardians giving that person (example: grandparent) permission to apply for the child.

    • Include a photocopy of the photo IDs for both parents or guardians.
    • If the statement is from only one parent or guardian, you must also show proof that that parent or guardian has sole custody of the child.
    • Submit Form DS-3053 and other notarized statements within three months of signing them.
    • In some countries, you may need to get Form DS-3053 notarized at the U.S. embassy or consulate. Go to the frequently asked questions section below on this page to get the list of countries.

    6. Provide a Photo

    You must provide one photo with your child's application. Go to our Passport Photo page for photo requirements and to see examples of photos.

    • Do not attach or staple your child's photo to the form. The acceptance agent or passport employee will review the photo and staple it to your form.
    • You can get a photo at:
      • Some passport acceptance facilities
      • A company which offers photo services
      • Home. Ask your friend or family member to take your child's photo. Print it on glossy or matte photo quality paper.

      7. Calculate Fees

      When applying using Form DS-11, you will pay two separate fees - an application fee and an execution (acceptance) fee. You will pay the application fee to the U.S. Department of State, and the execution (acceptance) fee to the facility which takes your application.

      • Add $60 to your application fee if you want expedited service.
      • Add $21.36 to your application fee if you want us to ship your completed passport in 1-2 days after we issue it.

      Child Applicants:

      Document	Form	Application Fee	Execution (Acceptance) Fee
      Passport Book	DS-11	$100	$35
      Passport Card	DS-11	$15	$35
      Passport Book & Card	DS-11	$115	$35

      For more information on how to pay and a full list of fees, go to our Passport Fees page.

      *How to fill out your check and pay the application fee to the U.S. Department of State. Please note you must pay a separate execution (acceptance) fee.

      Families may write one check or money order to the U.S. Department of State if they are applying at the same time. The check or money order must include the name and date of birth of each applicant.

      

      This image shows a sample check which you use to pay your application fees.

      8. Find Location to Apply

      In the United States:

      • Traveling in more than 3 weeks? Go to a passport acceptance facility such as a post office, library, or local government office. Check with the facility to see if you need to make an appointment.
      • Traveling in less than 3 weeks?Make an appointment to apply at a passport agency or center.

      In another country:

      • Contact your U.S. embassy or consulate.

      9. Track Your Application Status

      It may take 2 weeks from the day you apply until your child's application status is “In Process.”

      Frequently Asked Questions

      How will you send my child's passport and supporting documents?

      You will get multiple mailings. The number of mailings depends on what document(s) you asked for.

      Passport Book: You may get your new passport and citizenship documents in two mailings. You may wait 8 weeks after getting your passport before you get a second mailing with your citizenship documents. We will return the passport book using a trackable delivery service.

      Passport Card: You may get your new passport card and your citizenship documents in two mailings. You may wait 8 weeks after getting your passport before you get a second mailing with your citizenship documents. We only send the passport card via First Class Mail. We do not send cards using 1-2 day delivery services.

      Both a Passport Book and Card: You may get three separate mailings:

      1. New passport book
      2. New passport card
      3. Citizenship documents

      Contacting Us: If you have been waiting more than 8 weeks for your documents, call us at 1-877-487-2778 to report that you have not received your documents.

      If you want us to reimburse you for a lost supporting document, you must contact us within 90 days of the date which we mailed your passport. You will also need to provide a receipt to show the cost of replacing the document.