Learn About Passport Applications for Minors

Understanding Passport Basics for Children Under 18

A passport is an official government document that proves a person's identity and citizenship. For minors, a passport allows them to travel internationally and return to their home country. The United States issues different types of passports depending on age and travel needs.

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Children under 18 receive what's called a minor's passport, which has a shorter validity period than adult passports. A passport book for a child under 16 years old is valid for five years from the date of issuance. For young people aged 16 and 17, the passport book is valid for ten years, the same as an adult passport. These different validity periods reflect the likelihood that younger children's faces and features will change more noticeably over time.

Parents and guardians should understand that obtaining a passport for a minor involves several steps and requires documentation from both the child and the parents or guardians. Both parents or guardians typically must appear in person with the child, with certain exceptions for sole custody or death. This requirement exists as a safeguard against child abduction and trafficking.

The State Department processes passport requests through designated acceptance facilities and passport agencies. These locations include post offices, libraries, courthouse clerk offices, and dedicated passport agencies in major cities. Not all post offices and libraries accept passport documents, so families should verify that their local facility handles minor passports before visiting.

Practical takeaway: Before beginning the process, determine whether your local post office or library accepts passport documents for minors, as requirements vary by location. You can search for nearby acceptance facilities on the State Department website.

Required Documents for Minor Passport Submissions

Submitting a passport request for a minor requires gathering several original documents. Understanding what the government needs helps prevent delays and rejection of documents. Missing or incorrect paperwork is one of the most common reasons passport requests get returned.

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First, proof of citizenship is required. Acceptable documents include an original birth certificate (long-form version, not the short abstract), a Certificate of Citizenship, a Certificate of Naturalization, or a consular report of birth abroad. The birth certificate must be an official certified copy with the state seal, not a photocopy or document ordered from an online service. Hospital-issued birth certificates do not meet this requirement.

Second, a valid photo identification document for the minor is needed. For very young children, this can be challenging since many don't have driver's licenses. The State Department accepts school ID cards, state ID cards, health insurance cards, or existing passports. Some young children may not have any of these documents, in which case the parent or guardian may submit an ID card for the child issued by a daycare, preschool, or youth organization, though options are more limited.

Third, parents or guardians must provide identification documents proving who they are. Acceptable forms include a valid driver's license, passport, military ID, or state-issued ID card. At least one parent or guardian submitting the application must present a current, government-issued photo ID in person at the acceptance facility.

Fourth, a completed application form is required. Form DS-11 is used when both parents or guardians appear in person with the minor. Form DS-82 may be used in certain limited circumstances, such as when renewing an existing passport. Form DS-64 is specifically for reporting a lost or stolen passport.

Additional documents may be needed in specific situations. If the parents are divorced or separated, custody documentation may be required. If one parent has passed away, a death certificate is necessary. If adoption occurred, adoption papers should be included.

Practical takeaway: Gather all original documents at least two weeks before your planned visit to the acceptance facility. Make a checklist including the birth certificate, IDs for both parents or guardians, the child's identification if available, and the completed application form.

The Passport Photo Requirements for Minors

Passport photos must meet specific requirements set by the State Department. These guidelines exist to ensure consistent identification across documents and to allow for proper scanning and digital processing. Photos that don't meet standards cause delays because the acceptance facility will reject them and ask for new ones.

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The photo must be in color and printed on matte or glossy photo paper, not taken from a digital screen or printed on regular paper. Dimensions must be exactly 2 by 2 inches (51 by 51 millimeters). The photo should have been taken within the last six months so it accurately represents the minor's current appearance.

For the subject's appearance, the face must be centered and fill between 50 and 69 percent of the photo from the chin to the top of the head. The photo must be taken straight-on, looking directly at the camera, with a neutral expression. Smiling is permitted but not required. For infants and very young children, the expression and angle guidelines are more flexible because very small children cannot reliably follow posing instructions.

The background must be completely plain white or off-white. No patterns, shadows, or other people should appear behind the minor. This plain background requirement can be challenging for young children who may be distracted or move around during the photo session. Many professional photographers are familiar with passport photo specifications and can produce appropriate images.

Certain items are not permitted in passport photos. The minor cannot wear glasses with glare on the lenses, though non-glare glasses are acceptable. Sunglasses and tinted glasses are not allowed. For religious reasons, head coverings are permitted if they frame the face and don't cast shadows. However, the minor's entire face, from the top of the head to the bottom of the chin, must be visible.

For infants in particular, many families wonder whether the photo can show the baby with a parent's hand visible for support or to keep the child in position. Hand positioning varies depending on the child's age and stability. Parents should ask the photographer about specific guidance for their child's age group.

Practical takeaway: Have the passport photo taken at a professional photographer or at a pharmacy with passport photo services. Bring any glasses or head coverings the minor typically wears, and visit during a time when the child is well-rested and calm to improve the likelihood of an acceptable photo.

Understanding Parental Presence and Consent Requirements

One of the most important requirements for a minor passport is that parents or guardians must demonstrate their relationship to the child and their consent to the passport being issued. This requirement protects minors from being issued documents without their caregivers' knowledge. Understanding these rules prevents complications and rejected applications.

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Both parents or guardians must appear in person at the acceptance facility with the minor when submitting the initial passport application using Form DS-11. The only exceptions occur in specific circumstances: if one parent has sole custody and can provide court documentation, if one parent has passed away and can provide a death certificate, or if one parent's whereabouts are unknown and cannot be located despite good-faith efforts.

If the parents are divorced or separated but both retain custody rights, both must appear in person unless one parent provides written consent. This written consent must be notarized (officially verified by a notary public) and submitted with the application. The consenting parent does not attend the appointment but instead signs a document in front of a notary confirming they know about and approve the passport request.

Single parents or guardians must bring documentation proving their sole authority to make decisions for the child. Acceptable documents include adoption papers, court orders awarding sole custody, or a birth certificate listing only one parent. Without this documentation, the facility staff will not process the application because they cannot confirm that the other parent consents.

The minor must also appear in person at the appointment. Acceptance facilities will not process passport applications if the child is not physically present, even if both parents are there. This requirement ensures that the person applying for the passport is actually the person described in the documents provided.

In rare cases where a minor has a legal guardian rather than a biological parent, the guardian should bring court documents establishing guardianship. Foster parents typically cannot obtain a passport for a foster child unless they have been granted legal guardianship through the court system.

Practical takeaway: Schedule the appointment at a time when both parents or guardians and the minor can attend together. If both parents cannot attend, one parent should complete a notarized consent form and submit it with the application materials.

Timeline, Costs, and Processing Information

Understanding how long a passport takes to process and how much it costs helps families plan travel and budget accordingly. Processing times vary depending on the urgency and current demand at passport agencies.

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