Even the youngest American children are required to have passports to
travel outside of the country. The procedure for getting a child
passport (for a child under 16 years of age) is different than the
procedure for getting a passport for an adult, and additional
documentation is required.
Here's what you need to do:
Step 1: Get pictures taken. You will need two
passport photos of the child's face. If your child is still an infant,
it's a good idea to go to a photographer who has experience working with
babies to make sure you get a good enough shot.
Step 2: Gather your documents. In addition to passport photos, you need the following:
- Passport application form DS-11. It's okay to fill the form out ahead of time to shorten the amount of time spent in a passport office with a potentially fussy child, but don't sign it until you go in to apply and the acceptance agent tells you to.
- Proof of the child's citizenship, such as a previously issued passport, birth certificate, naturalization certificate or certificate of citizenship.
- Proof of your identity, such as a driver's license or other state-issued photo ID. Bring both the original and a clear photocopy.
- Proof of your relationship to the child, such as a birth certificate, adoption decree or court order naming you as the child's guardian.
Step 3: Go to the passport office.
You must apply for a child passport
in person at a Regional Passport Agency office or a passport acceptance
facility (like a post office that accepts passport applications.) To
help prevent abduction, both parents are required to appear with the
child for the passport to be issued.
If both parents can't make it, you will need a notarized statement of
consent from the second parent unless you have sole legal custody of
the child. If you do have sole custody, simply bring evidence of that
fact. Evidence of sole custody can include a copy of the child's birth
certificate or adoption decree with only your name on it; a court order
granting sole custody to you, a court order specifically giving you the
right to travel with the child, a court order declaring the other parent
incompetent, or a copy of the other parent's death certificate if they
are no longer living.
If you can't get any of the above the documents, you can submit a
copy of form DS-053 stating why the other parent's consent cannot be
obtained. These are examined on a case-by-case basis.
Step 4: Pay the fees and wait.
Passport fees change periodically to reflect rising costs- you can get the most current fee information at the US Department of State's web site.
After that, all you have to do is wait for your child's passport to
arrive in the mail. Usually, this takes about 6 weeks for regular
processing and 3 weeks for expedited processing.
Author,
Alison Kroulek
