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New Child Passport - Children 15 and Under

Eligibility Requirements

Select this service if the child is a U.S. citizen and is under 16 years of age, even if the child has previously been issued a passport.

BOTH parents must appear with the child at a local passport acceptance facility.
If one of the parents or legal guardians cannot be present at the acceptance agent, then Form DS-3053 (Minor Consent Form) must be notarized.

NOTE:

Passports for children under age 16 are only valid for 5 years.
You cannot renew a child passport.

PASSPORT SERVICES

New Adult Passport

Adult Passport Renewal

New Child Passport

Lost, Stolen, Damaged

Second Passport

Name Change

1. Proof of Citizenship

Certified birth certificate that lists the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) of the child.

Must be an ORIGINAL or CERTIFIED copy with a raised or embossed seal.

You can order a birth certificate or other vital record here: Vitalchek.com

Certificate of Citizenship.
Original Naturalization Certificate.
Expired passport (If the minor child has a current/recently expired passport, it must be surrendered with the order).
Use Both the Expired Passport and the Birth Certificate if you have both.

NOTE: A Marriage Certificate or Divorce Decree is necessary if a parent's last name has changed.

2. Establish Parental Relationship, with the following:

You must submit a document lists the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) of the child.

Examples include:

U.S. birth certificate (also evidence of U.S. citizenship)
Foreign birth certificate
Adoption decree
Divorce or custody decree
A court order

Some documents, like a U.S. birth certificate, show both U.S. citizenship and parental relationship. These documents must be originals or certified copies (not photocopies)

You and your child may have different last names, as long as the document showing your relationship to your child lists your full name.

Both parents’ Valid Driver’s License with photo or passport.

If your name is different than the one on the document showing your relationship to your child, submit proof of your legal name change.

3. Photo Requirements

One color passport photo (2×2 with white background).
Click here for Photo Requirements, Eyeglasses are not allowed.
Read the Photo Requirements, "Rejected Photos" are the top reason for Passports being delayed.
Locate a Passport Photo Store near you.

4. Parents must have the child’s Social Security Number

The Social Security Number of the child should be provided by the parent/s, or proof that an application has been made for the child. A social security card is NOT required, but the social security number is. Parents of newborn babies who don’t have a Social Security Number can just write in zeroes in the Social Security data field of the DS-11 application.

5. Gather the following documents

Certified Birth Certificate is required and/ or an old child passport
A valid driver’s license for each parent. (If last name different, see step 2)
Two (2) copies of U S. Government form: DS-11 Passport Application with 2D barcode (on top left margin of the form).
Two (2) copies of the airline itinerary or proof of departure.
One (1) color passport photo.
Two (2) Letters of Authorization. (Signed in black ink, by both parents when available, with the child’s name inserted).
U.S. Government Fee. $160 Bank Cashier’s Check or Money Order. Made out to the U.S. Department of State (Do not abbreviate). Print the child’s name and birth date on the memo line. No personal checks.

6. Passport Application Form

Complete DS-11 Form with required barcode on top left-hand margin.

This form must be completed online and printed on two pages (not front & back), and signed by the parent’s of the child, and by the child (if old enough to sign) before the Acceptance Agent.

The passport office will not accept hand written DS-11 applications.
Print out 2 copies of the DS-11 pages 5 and 6 (don't need the first four pages of instructions). One copy must be executed and endorsed by the Acceptance Agent (AA) and sealed in a Government Envelope; and the other copy is clipped to the Outside of the sealed Government Envelope - and inside the FedEx envelope.
If the applicant has lost a valid passport, please also complete DS-64 Form (important if you have applied for and lost a passport in the last ten years).

IMPORTANT:

One DS-11 Passport Application Form must be sealed INSIDE the government envelope by the Acceptance Agent.
Departure date on the DS-11 should match travel evidence departure date.

Example of 2D Barcode on form

7. Letter of Authorization

Complete and Sign TWO (2) Letters of Authorization (LOA).
Both must be Signed in black ink, by both parents when available, with the child’s name inserted
The courier company name is required by the government and should be printed or written in black pen on the line above where you sign your name.

IMPORTANT: One copy will go inside the Government envelope, the other copy must be inside your FedEx envelope.

8. Travel Itinerary

Proof of Travel departure must be within 2 weeks unless you need a visa (then proof of departure can be within 4 weeks).
Flight itinerary (computer generated) from the airline or a travel agency, copy of airline ticket, or a corporate letter for business travel. If you are traveling by land or sea to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, or the Caribbean, you can provide a hotel reservation, cruise tickets, or international car insurance.

Print TWO (2) copies of proof of departure

One copy of the proof of departure should be attached to the outside of the sealed envelope and one inside the FedEx envelope.

9. U.S. Government Fees

Include a U.S. Postal Money Order or Bank Cashier's Check for $160 payable to the U.S. Department of State.
Print child's name and birthdate on the memo line (must match the last name of the child on the application).
Please note: "U.S. Department of State" must not be abbreviated.

A separate $35 payment - in any form - is made to the Acceptance Agent when you visit the post office or courthouse.

If child is age 15 or under the Government fee is $160

10. Call to Reserve a Courier, make Payment

Call (888) 442-4465 to Reserve a Passport Courier Appointment at the Passport Agency for your Application.

Payment To Passport Express by credit/debit card only.

Please provide your credit card to reserve a passport courier time slot with the US Passport Agency – this is nonrefundable, the Passport Agency has limited reservations. Payment is required to secure your passport courier reservation. This will guarantee your courier reservation with the U.S. Passport Agency and expedited service. Note: The US Passport Agency determines eligibility to receive a passport based on proof of citizenship and compliance with the instructions provided.

How fast do you need your US Passport?

Urgent: 2 - 5 Days / $499 + Government Fees + Shipping
Rush: 6 - 20 Days / $399 + Government Fees + Shipping
Priority: 21+ Days / $299 + Government Fees + Shipping

Processing and Shipping Times are based on Business Days.

State Department/Government fees and Shipping fees are not included.

RESERVE PASSPORT COURIER

11. Visit an Acceptance Agent

Acceptance Agents verify identity, review documents, witness signatures, seal items in a government envelope and collect Acceptance Agent fees. The Acceptance Agent (AA) will assist when you sign the DS-11 Passport Application. Passport Acceptance Agents are at designated post offices, courthouses or libraries see below.

Find the nearest Passport Acceptance Agent (You often need an appointment).

Note: A separate $35 payment - in any form - is made to the Acceptance Agent when you visit the post office or courthouse.

Both parents must visit the Acceptance Agent (AA).

If one or both parents or guardians cannot apply in person with their child, you will need to show more documents.

If one parent is not available, then:

A parent who can not be present at the AA must complete DS-3053: Statement of Consent: Issuing a Passport to a Minor Under Age 16 in front of a notary. If the parent is deceased a Certified Death Certificate can be submitted. In case of divorce, a parent can submit Certified Divorce Papers, which gives them full custody. When you have an absent parent and the DS-3053 is used, please let us know so we can review the DS-3053.

What happens at the AA office?

IMPORTANT - You must tell the Acceptance Agent you are using a “Hand Carry” passport courier service.

The Hand Carry rule is in the AA’s rulebook and they can refer to that if they are unfamiliar with the rule.

The Hand Carry rule is what allows you to get a fast passport.

The Acceptance Agent will:

Have you sign and then countersign and stamp the DS-11 application form.
Record information from your driver’s license and attach a child passport photo to DS-11.
Insert Certified Birth Certificate or expired passport.
Insert Letter of Authorization and $160 Bank Cashier’s Check or Money Order payable to the U.S. Department of State (no abbreviations) in Government Envelope. The $160 check should have their name and birthdate printed in the memo field and it should match the last name of the child on the application.
Insert copy of flight itinerary or business letter in Government Envelope.
The Acceptance Agent will hand the Envelope to you, once you inform the AA you are using a courier service for the ‘Hand Carry.’
You will then FedEx the Sealed Envelope and photocopies to the Courier.

12. Items Inside the Sealed Government Envelope

The original documents are inside the AA SEALED GOVERNMENT ENVELOPE.

Note: The certified birth certificate or naturalization certificate will be returned with the new passport.

Sealed government envelope documents include the following:

One (1) DS-11 Passport Application signed and completed with a 2D Bar Code.
Certified Birth Certificate or naturalization certificate or old passport.
Photocopy of the front and back of your driver’s license or state ID.
One (1) Client Letter of Authorization filled out and signed.
Flight/Travel itinerary materials or company letter.
One (1) photo.
Bank Cashier’s Check or Money Order made payable to: US Department of State for $160. With applicant’s name and birthdate on the memo line of the check.
No personal checks

The envelope’s STAMPED SEAL must not be tampered with or broken or the application is VOID and you will have to start all over again.

DO NOT include the extra copy of the DS-11 or the payment to Passport Express INSIDE the sealed envelope.
Keep the DS-11 copy separate and away from the AA who seals the envelope.
The copy of the unsigned DS-11 may be paper-clipped to the OUTSIDE of the SEALED Government Envelope.
The DS-11 copy must be included in the FedEx envelope for for our courier to reference.

13. Call PASSPORTEXPRESS.us (888) 442-4465

We will review your documents and email you a Fedex shipping label that you can printout.

FedEx Ship your Sealed AA Envelope and Documents to our Courier

Sealed Government Envelope from Acceptance Agent for the U.S. Passport Agency.
Copy of unsigned DS-11 with bar code on top left margin
Copy of Proof of Departure
Copy of signed Letter of Authorization (LOA)

IMPORTANT: Please use the properly sized FedEx envelope, or FedEx box, to Safely and Securely Ship your Sealed Government Envelope and Photocopies.

DO NOT USE USPS or UPS. You are required to report the FEDEX tracking number we provide when you ship.