U.S. Passport Applications for Children Under Age 16

U.S. Passport Applications for Children Under Age 16 Require Both Parents’ Consent As provided by the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 22, Section 51.28‌

Important: All minors must appear in person when applying for a passport

Both parents, or child's legal guardian must:

1. Submit evidence of child’s U.S. citizenship and

2. Submit evidence that they are the parents or guardian and

3. Present valid personal identification and

4. Submit a photocopy of the front and back of the identification shown and

5. Sign and take oath before an authorized passport acceptance agent

If the second parent is not available to sign, the appearing parent must:

1. Complete the above and

2. Present evidence of

   • Sole legal custody of the child or

   • Notarized written consent of the other parent for the issuance of the passport along with a photocopy of the non-appearing parent’s identification or

   • Written statement explaining why non-applying parent’s consent cannot be obtained

If no parent is available to sign, the third-party in loco parentis must:

1. Appear with a notarized written statement or affidavit from both parents or custodial parent(s), authorizing the third-party to apply for passport. When the statement or affidavit is from only one parent, the third- party must present evidence of sole custody of the authorizing parent.

   The law requires that all applications be signed under oath and penalty of perjury

   The most efficient way to apply for a child under age 16 is to present the required documentation and

   • For both parents to appear at the time of application, or

   • If only one parent can apply, for the applying parent/guardian to present the additional documentation required at the time of application.

     See below for examples of acceptable evidence

     Incomplete submissions will delay passport issuance

     The passport fees paid at the time of application are non-refundable processing fees

     

     More online at Travel.State.Gov or

     By calling the National Passport Information Center toll-free at 1-877-487-2778 (TDD/TTY: 1-888-874-7793)

     
     

     For Children Under Age 16: Documentation Required

     Citizenship, Relationship, and Identification

     1. Evidence of child's U.S. citizenship, one of the following: Born in the U.S.

        • Certified U.S. birth certificate

        • Previous fully valid U.S. passport Born Outside the U.S.

        • Report of Birth Abroad (Form FS-240)

        • Previous fully valid U.S. passport

        • Certificate of Citizenship or Naturalization

        • Certification of Birth Abroad (Form DS-1350)

        • Other evidence of U.S. Citizenship

     2. Evidence of child's relationship to parents/guardian, one of the following; Born in the U.S.

        • Certified U.S. birth certificate including parent(s)’ names

        • Adoption decree including adopting parents(s)’ names

        • Court order establishing sole custody

        • Court order establishing guardianship and authority to apply for passport Born Outside the U.S.

        • Certified foreign birth certificate including parent(s)’ names

        • Report of Birth Abroad (Form FS-240)

        • Certification of Birth Abroad (Form DS-1350) with parent(s)’ names

        • Adoption decree including adopting parent(s) names

        • Court order establishing sole custody

        • Court order establishing guardianship and authority to apply for passport

     3. Parental identification, such as one of the following:

        • Valid driver's license

        • Valid official U.S. military ID

        • Valid government (Federal, State, local) employee ID

        • Valid U.S. or foreign passport with recognizable photo

        • Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of Citizenship with recognizable photo

        • Permanent Resident Alien Card

Parental Permission

1. Both parents appear or

2. Applying parent submits second parent's notarized Form DS-3053, Statement of Consent, or other notarized written statement consenting to passport issuance for child, along with a photocopy of the non-appearing parent’s identification or

3. Applying parent submits primary evidence of sole authority to apply, such as one of the following:

   • Child's certified U.S. or foreign birth certificate listing only applying parent

   • Report of Birth Abroad (FS-240) or Certification of Birth Abroad (DS-1350) listing only one parent

   • Court order granting sole custody (unless child's travel is restricted by that order)

   • Adoption decree (listing only the applying parent)

   • Court order specifically permitting applying parent’s or guardian’s travel with the child

   • Judicial declaration of incompetence of non-applying parent

   • Death certificate of non-applying parent or

4. Applying parent submits a written statement explaining why non-applying parent’s consent cannot

   be obtained or

5. Third-party in loco parentis appears with notarized written statement or affidavit from both parents or custodial parent(s) authorizing the third-party to apply for passport. When the notarized statement or affidavit is from only one parent, the third-party must present evidence of sole custody of the authorizing parent.

Children's Passport Issuance Alert Program (CPIAP)

Parents may also request that their minor (under age 18 for this program) child’s name be entered in the U.S. Passport name-check system. The Children's Passport Issuance Alert Program provides:

• Notification to a parent if a passport application made on behalf of his/her minor child(ren), and

• Denial of passport issuance if appropriate court order(s) is on file with the CPIAP and the parent does not consent to the passport issuance.

For more information, visit travel.state.gov or contact the Office of Children’s Issues by phone at 1-888-407-4747 or email at childrenspassports@state.gov.

CA/PPT/PMO/CS 3232011