Passports for Kids: How to Get a US Child Passport

Getting a passport for your kid is not hard, but it is picky. One missing photocopy, one parent who couldn’t get off work, or one birth certificate that lists a different last name, and you’re rebooking an appointment two weeks before your flight. This guide walks through exactly what the State Department asks for, by age, plus the separate question of consent letters when only one parent is traveling.

Rules and fees change. Everything here reflects the State Department’s guidance as of November 2026. Before your appointment, confirm forms, fees, and photo rules on travel.state.gov.

Do kids need a passport?

Yes. Every US citizen needs their own passport book for international air travel, including newborns. There’s no “family passport” and kids can’t ride on a parent’s.

A few nuances:

• Passport book vs. passport card: The card is cheaper and wallet-sized, but it only works for land and sea crossings to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. It’s not valid for international flights. For a trip to London, Paris, or Tokyo, you need the book.
• Land and sea trips to Canada or Mexico: US citizen children under 16 can generally present a birth certificate instead of a passport at land and sea ports of entry, under US border rules. Flying always requires a passport.
• Remaining validity: Many countries want your passport valid for some months beyond your trip, and some require six months. Check your destination’s country page on travel.state.gov.

Child passport requirements by age

How to get a passport for a child under 16, step by step

Step 1: Fill out Form DS-11, but don’t sign it

Complete Form DS-11 online or on paper. Don’t sign it until the acceptance agent tells you to. Signing early is one of the most common ways families get sent home.

Step 2: Gather the child’s proof of US citizenship

Bring the original document plus a photocopy. Common options:

1. A US birth certificate that meets State Department requirements.
2. A Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certificate of Citizenship.
3. A previous US passport, even an expired one.

Digital or mobile birth certificates aren’t accepted. Original documents are typically returned to you, sometimes separately by mail, so don’t panic if it doesn’t come back with the passport.

Step 3: Prove who the parents are

The State Department must see the legal relationship between the child and each parent. A US birth certificate listing both parents usually covers this and citizenship in one document. Otherwise, bring an adoption decree, a custody decree, or a foreign birth certificate. If a parent’s name has changed, bring the marriage certificate or name change decree that links the names.

Step 4: Get parental consent sorted

This is where most problems happen. Pick your scenario:

The State Department accepts electronically notarized consent statements where state law allows it, as long as you bring a printed copy. If you have a custody dispute, read about the Children’s Passport Issuance Alert Program, a free service that alerts a parent when someone applies for a passport for their child under 18.

Step 5: Bring parent IDs and photocopies

Each parent present needs a physical photo ID, like a driver’s license or passport, plus a photocopy. Photocopy rules trip people up, so follow them exactly:

1. 8.5 x 11 inch paper.
2. Black and white, clear, and legible.
3. Single-sided. Front of the ID on one page, back on another if it has printing on both sides.

Step 6: Get one passport photo

You need one photo meeting the State Department’s photo rules: plain white or off-white background, no shadows, full face visible, neutral expression. Don’t staple it to the form; the acceptance agent attaches it.

Baby photo trick: Lay your baby on a plain white sheet and shoot from directly above. No hands, toys, or pacifiers in frame. Babies may have partly open eyes, but older kids need eyes open. Expect 20 tries and one keeper.

Step 7: Bring two separate payments

Child applications have two fees, paid separately: the application fee goes to the US Department of State, and the acceptance (execution) fee goes to the facility. Check the current fees and ask your facility which payment methods it takes. Bring a checkbook: the State Department fee is typically paid by check or money order at acceptance facilities.

Step 8: Apply in person at an acceptance facility

Most families apply at a post office, library, or county clerk’s office. Many require an appointment. Everyone in the consent plan goes: the child, and both parents unless you have a DS-3053 or custody evidence. Appointments are free. If anyone asks you to pay for one, treat it as a scam.

Passports for 16- and 17-year-olds

Teens at this age apply in person on Form DS-11 for their first adult passport, which is valid for ten years. According to the State Department’s 16–17 page, they must show a parent or guardian knows about the application. Ways to do that include a parent coming along, a signed note from a parent, or a parent paying the fees. The agent can still ask for a notarized DS-3053, so having a parent available by phone is smart.

Tip: if your 15-year-old’s passport expires soon, consider waiting until they turn 16 to apply, if your travel dates allow. They’ll get a ten-year passport instead of five.

How long does a child passport take?

Processing times rise and fall with demand. Check the State Department’s processing times page before you apply, and remember:

• Processing time doesn’t include mailing. Add time for your application to reach the passport agency and for the passport to come back. You can pay for faster return shipping.
• Expedited service costs extra and is meant for people traveling sooner than routine processing allows.
• Urgent travel: If your trip is very soon, the State Department offers limited in-person appointments at passport agencies. See its get your passport fast page.
• Quieter season: The State Department says late winter through summer is its busiest stretch and suggests applying between October and December.

Passport timeline before an international family trip

Entry authorizations like the UK ETA are linked to a specific passport, so finish the passport first. Our London with kids guide explains the ETA.

Do kids need a travel consent letter?

A consent letter is different from passport consent. The passport says your child is a US citizen. The letter shows that the parent who isn’t traveling agrees to the trip.

According to the State Department’s travel with minors page, the United States doesn’t require proof of both parents’ permission for a child to travel internationally, but some countries do. CBP’s visitor guide advises that if a child travels with only one parent, the adult should carry a notarized note from the other parent, and if a child travels with someone else, like grandparents, the note should be signed by both parents.

When to carry a consent letter

Some countries go further. For example, the State Department’s country pages note requirements like notarized consent from the absent parent in certain places. Always read the Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements section of your destination’s page on travel.state.gov. Canada’s government also publishes a recommended consent letter that many families use as a template.

What to put in a child travel consent letter

There’s no official US form. A clear letter includes:

1. The child’s full name, date of birth, and passport number.
2. The traveling adult’s full name and relationship to the child.
3. Destinations and travel dates.
4. The absent parent’s full name, address, phone, and email.
5. A sentence stating the absent parent consents to the trip.
6. The absent parent’s signature, dated and notarized.

Also carry: A copy of the child’s birth certificate, especially if you have a different last name than your child, and any custody or name change documents. The State Department recommends bringing evidence of your legal relationship to each child.

Common passport mistakes (and the fix)

• Signing the DS-11 at home. Fix: leave it blank until the agent says sign.
• Double-sided photocopies. Fix: single-sided, 8.5 x 11, black and white.
• DS-3053 too old. Fix: get it notarized within three months of applying.
• Wrong payment. Fix: two separate payments; check the fee chart and call your facility.
• Expired-soon passport. Fix: check validity against the destination’s rules, not just your return date.
• Forgetting the baby. Fix: every person needs a passport, and the baby must attend.

Your next step for passports for kids

Tonight, pull out every family member’s passport and birth certificate, check expiration dates, and book an acceptance facility appointment for any child who needs one. If a parent can’t make the appointment, get Form DS-3053 notarized this week. Then start planning the fun part with our flying with a baby guide and family packing list.