How to Get a Passport for a Minor

Does a minor need a passport? Yes, minors who plan to travel out of and return to the United States with or without their parents need to obtain their own passport. This requirement applies to newborns and infants as well. Each child must possess his or her own passport. What does it take to get a passport for a minor? This article provides a list of requirements to answer this question.

Foreign nationals who plan to visit the U.S. should verify the regulations and required documentation with their own national passport office. United States citizens should understand the following requirements in relation to passports for a minor. There are special regulations for minors under 16 years of age. The rules are a little different for minors who are 16 or 17.

While it may appear laborious to get a new passport for a minor, the regulations are created to protect your child and to minimize the risk of abductions.

A passport for a minor cannot be renewed. The proper form is DS-11, Application for a New Passport. The form must be completed and then signed in the presence of an authorized passport agent. Besides the application, it is necessary to submit evidence of U.S. citizenship for the minor. This can be a current passport, a certified birth certificate, a consular report of birth abroad, a naturalization certificate or a certificate of citizenship. Any one of these documents will suffice.

Proof of relationship to the minor must be provided. This can be either a certified birth certificate or a court order that affirms that the parent has custody of the child. Parents have to submit evidence of identification. This can be a previous, undamaged passport, a current driver’s license, military ID or government employee ID.

The minor must have parental consent for the U.S. Department of State to issue the child’s passport. If only one parent appears, the other parent must provide a completed and signed parent consent form. This is not necessary if one of the minor’s parents has sole custody. This can be proved by submitting a court order specifying this fact or death certificate if the parent is deceased.

Another required item is two identical passport photos that are 2×2 inches in size. These have to be current photos that were taken within the past six months. The photos should be in color and show full face. The minor should use normal attire when taking the pictures.

It takes about four to six weeks to process a passport application. Expedited services through the U.S. government take two to three weeks. In emergency cases, you can visit a regional passport agency to get your child’s passport in a hurry. When circumstances do not permit you to travel to the location of a regional agency, you can contract a private passport expediter who can obtain your child’s travel document in as little as 24 hours.