Passports for Children Under 16
Short answer: A U.S. passport for a child under 16 must be applied for in person on Form DS-11, with both parents or guardians present. If one parent cannot attend, bring a notarized Form DS-3053 consent, or documentation of sole legal authority. Child passports are valid for 5 years and cannot be renewed by mail — every renewal is a new DS-11 application.
Updated August 2026. Government processing times and fees per the U.S. Department of State (travel.state.gov).
Child passports have one rule that catches nearly every family off guard: both parents or legal guardians must consent, and the child must appear in person. Passports for children under 16 are valid for 5 years and cannot be renewed by mail — each one is a fresh in-person DS-11 application.
Key facts
| Form | DS-11 (in person) |
|---|---|
| Validity | 5 years (under 16) |
| Consent | Both parents |
| Our fee | From $97 |
Who has to show up
- The child — always, regardless of age, including infants.
- Both parents or legal guardians, with photo ID, if both are on the child's birth certificate.
- If one parent can't attend: that parent signs Form DS-3053, notarized, plus a photocopy of their ID. The DS-3053 must be dated within 3 months of the application.
- If one parent has sole legal authority: bring the court order, custody decree, or the child's death-of-parent documentation instead.
Proving the parental relationship
The child's certified U.S. birth certificate listing both parents usually does double duty — it proves the child's citizenship and the relationship. Adoption decrees, a CRBA, or a court order of guardianship work where applicable. Photocopies are not accepted for citizenship evidence.
The photo rules are the same for babies
A 2x2 color photo, plain white background, eyes open, neutral expression, no other person's hands or arms visible in the frame. For infants, laying the child on a plain white sheet and shooting from directly overhead is the standard trick. No pacifiers, no toys, no car seats in frame.
Children 16 and 17
Teens 16 and 17 apply on DS-11 in person and receive a full 10-year passport. Parental consent isn't formally required, but the Department of State expects a parent to be aware — bringing a parent with ID prevents questions at the counter.
Applying for the whole family at once
ExpediteGov supports family orders — up to 15 applicants in one flow, with shared address and travel details copied between family members so you're not typing the same information repeatedly. Each person still gets their own completed form and checklist.
Frequently asked questions
Do both parents have to be there?
Yes, unless the absent parent submits a notarized Form DS-3053 with a copy of their ID, or one parent documents sole legal authority with a court order.
Does my baby need to come to the appointment?
Yes. The child must appear in person for every passport application, at every age.
How long is a child's passport valid?
Five years for children under 16. Passports issued at 16 or older are valid for ten years.
Can I renew my child's passport by mail?
No. A passport issued to someone under 16 can never be renewed by mail — the next application is another in-person DS-11.