Whether you're planning a relaxing Mediterranean cruise or a family vacation in Mexico, you will need to obtain passports for every child and infant in your traveling party. Obtaining a U.S. passport for your child is a fairly uncomplicated process that involves gathering information that proves your relationship to your child and documents your child's citizenship. U.S. children's passports are available for minors under age 16 and are valid for five years.
Step 1
Print out Form DS-11, Application For a U.S. Passport, from the U.S. Department of State website. Complete all sections of the application in pen. You can also complete the form on the website and then print it out if you wish.
Step 2
Submit evidence that proves your relationship with your child. Acceptable evidence includes a certified U.S. or foreign birth certificate, a court order establishing guardianship, a minor's report of a birth abroad or an adoption decree. Make sure that the evidence you provide lists both your name and the name of the child's other parent.
Step 3
Attach your child's U.S. birth certificate to the application to prove proof of citizenship. In addition to certified U.S. birth certificates, the Department of State also accepts a passport, a certificate of citizenship, a naturalization certificate or a certification of birth or consular report of birth abroad.
Step 4
Copy identification documents for yourself and the child's other parent. Use white, 8 ½-by-11 inch paper and photocopy the front and back of the documents. You can use a passport, naturalization certificate, driver's license, government identification card or military identification card to prove your identity.
Step 5
Provide two identical color photographs of your child. The Department of State accepts photographs that are 2-by-2 inch square and feature your child's entire face from the chin to the top of the head. Use photographs taken within the last six months.
Step 6
Go to a passport acceptance facility with your child. Check the Department of State website for the passport acceptance facility nearest your home. Passport acceptance facilities are located at select post offices, local government offices or public libraries.
Step 7
Submit the passport application along with supporting documents. A passport acceptance facility employee will verify that your documents are acceptable and will ask you to pay passport execution and acceptance fees. If your child is old enough, he will sign the passport. If he cannot yet write his name, you will sign the passport instead and note your relationship to your child.
Step 8
Wait two weeks or more to receive your child's passport in the mail. Processing times may vary depending on demand. Your child's birth certificate or other proof of identification will be returned by mail at approximately the same time she receives her passport.
Tips and Warnings
- Both parents must provide consent authorizing passport issuance for a minor under age 16, according to the Department of State. If the second parent cannot appear, she can submit a notarized Form DS-3053, Statement of Consent, in lieu of appearing at the passport acceptance facility. The Jaunted website suggests storing passports in a secure place and keeping them separate from credit cards and cash when traveling to reduce the possibility of theft.
Things You'll Need
- Form DS-11, Application For a U.S. Passport
- Evidence of child/parent relationship
- Proof of child's citizenship
- Copy of parents' identification
- 2 passport photographs
- Passport fees
- Form DS-3053, Statement of Consent
