How to Apply for a U.S. Passport for a Child in 2026: A Parent’s Guide

Planning a family trip abroad means every traveler needs their own passport, including your kids. Children under 16 must apply for a U.S. passport in person using Form DS-11, and both parents or legal guardians must consent to the application. The process is different from an adult’s, so it helps to know the rules before you visit an acceptance facility. This guide walks you through what to expect in 2026.

The Basic Rules for a Child Under 16

Minors cannot renew a passport online or by mail the way adults often can. Every child under 16 applies as a first-time applicant, in person, each time.

• Use Form DS-11: This is the application for minors and first-time applicants. Do not sign it in advance; you will sign in front of the acceptance agent.
• The child must be present: Your child needs to appear in person at the acceptance facility, even for an infant.
• Both parents or guardians must consent: Ideally, both parents appear together with the child. This consent requirement helps prevent international parental child abduction.
• Apply in person: Common acceptance facilities include many post offices, public libraries, and local clerk of court offices. Many require an appointment.

Documents You Need to Bring

Gathering the right paperwork ahead of time is the single best way to avoid a return trip. Here is what a child’s application generally requires.

• Proof of U.S. citizenship: A certified copy of the child’s birth certificate that lists the parents, or the child’s prior U.S. passport. A photocopy or informational copy will not be accepted.
• Evidence of the parental relationship: This is usually the same certified birth certificate, since it names the child’s parents.
• Each parent’s or guardian’s photo ID: A valid driver’s license, government ID, or passport for each consenting parent, plus a photocopy of the front and back of each ID.
• A compliant passport photo: One recent color photo that meets State Department size and background requirements.
• The completed DS-11 application: Filled out but left unsigned until you are with the agent.

Because the certified birth certificate does double duty as both proof of citizenship and proof of your relationship to the child, it is the most important document in the packet. You can review the full checklist in our guide on what documents you need for a passport.

What to Do If One Parent Cannot Appear

Life happens, and it is not always possible for both parents to be at the appointment. There is a clear process for that situation.

• Submit Form DS-3053: The parent who cannot attend completes a notarized Statement of Consent (Form DS-3053) authorizing the passport.
• Include a photocopy of that parent’s ID: Attach a copy of the front and back of the absent parent’s photo ID to the DS-3053.
• Notarize the form: The DS-3053 must be signed in front of a notary, so do not sign it early.
• Sole legal authority: If one parent has sole legal custody or authority, different documentation applies, such as a court order or a birth certificate naming only one parent.

You can download the official forms and read the detailed minor rules on the U.S. State Department’s page for children’s passports.

Validity, Fees, and Timing

A child’s passport works a little differently from an adult’s once it is issued, and it is worth planning around those differences.

• Valid for five years: A passport for a child under 16 is valid for 5 years, compared with 10 years for an adult. Keep that shorter window in mind for future travel.
• Two fees apply: A child passport book has an application fee (lower than an adult’s) that goes to the State Department, plus a separate execution or acceptance fee collected at the facility. Confirm the current amounts on travel.state.gov.
• Routine processing takes weeks: Standard processing generally takes several weeks, and times can change with demand. Expedited service is available for an additional fee.

Why Applying Early Matters

The most common reason a family trip is delayed is a passport that did not arrive in time, and the delay usually starts with the birth certificate rather than the passport office itself.

If you cannot find your child’s certified birth certificate, or you never ordered one, you will need to request a new certified copy before you can even file the DS-11. Because that record is the foundation of the whole application, it makes sense to secure it first. For more on timelines, see our overview of how long it takes to get a passport.

Government Channels vs. Vital Records Online

Passports are issued only by the U.S. Department of State through authorized acceptance facilities. Vital Records Online is a third-party service and is not a government agency; we do not issue, process, or expedite passports. What we can do is help you obtain the certified birth certificate your child’s passport application requires, using a simple online form. You then file the passport application yourself through official channels. If you would rather order the underlying record directly from the issuing office, you are always free to do so.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my child have to come to the appointment?
Yes. Every applicant under 16 must appear in person at the acceptance facility, including babies and toddlers.

Can just one parent apply for the child’s passport?
Both parents or guardians must consent. If one parent cannot appear, that parent submits a notarized Form DS-3053 with a copy of their photo ID. Special rules apply when one parent has sole legal authority.

What if we do not have the child’s birth certificate?
You will need a certified copy that lists the parents before you apply, because it serves as proof of citizenship and of your relationship to the child. Vital Records Online can help you request that certified copy.

How long is a child’s passport valid?
A passport for a child under 16 is valid for 5 years, after which you repeat the in-person DS-11 process.

Related Guides

• What Documents Do You Need for a Passport?
• How Long Does It Take to Get a Passport?
• Using a Birth Certificate for a Passport Application
• Passport Support Services

Ready to get started? Make sure your child’s certified birth certificate is in hand before your passport appointment. Order a certified birth certificate online today and keep your family’s travel plans on track.