Home › Government › City Administrator › Passports

Passport for Children Under Age 16

U.S. Passport Applications for Children Under Age 16

Require Both Parents' Consent

 

As provided by the Code of Federal Regulations Title 22, Section 51.28 Effective February 1, 2008 Line across page.
 

Both parents or child's legal guardian must:
 

  1. Present evidence of child's U.S. citizenship, and
     
  2. Present evidence that they are the parents or guardian, and
     
  3. Show valid personal identification, and
     
  4. Sign and take an oath before an authorized passport acceptance agent.

 

If the second parent is not available to sign, the appearing parent must:
 

  1. Do the above, and
     
  2. Present evidence that he or she has:
  • Sole legal custody of the child, or
  • Notarized, Written consent of the other parent for the issuance of the passport, or
  • Notarized, Written statement explaining why non-applying parent's consent cannot be obtained, and
  • *NEW* Along with the notarized, written statements, a copy of the absent parent's driver's license, front and back.

If no parent is available to sign, the third-party in loco parentis must:
 

  1. Appear with a notarized written statement or affidavit from both parents or custodial parent(s) authorizing the third-party to apply for passport.  When the statement or affidavit is from only one parent, the third-party must present evidence of sole custody of the authorizing parent.

The law requires that all applications be signed under oath under penalty of perjury.

The most efficient way to apply for a child under age 16, is to present the required documentation, and
 

  • For both parents to appear at the time of application, or
     
  • If only one parent can apply, that applying parent/guardian has the additional documentation required for a single-signature application at the time of application.
     

Incomplete submissions will delay passport issuance.

Examples of Acceptable Evidence For Children Under Age 16 Citizenship, Relationship & Identification Documentation Required

 

Evidence of child's U.S. Citizenship (BOTH ARE NEEDED)

Born in the USA

  • Certified U.S. Birth Certificate and
  • Previous fully valid U.S. Passport

Born Outside the USA

  • Report of Birth Abroad (Form FS-240)
  • Previous Fully valid U.S. Passport and
  • Certificate of citizenship or naturalization from INS
  • Certification of Birth Abroad (Form DS-1350),
  • Other evidence for first time documentation.
2.  Evidence of child's relationship to parents/guardian (one of the following):

Born in the USA

  • Certified U.S. Birth Certificate (including parents names)
  • Adoption decree including adopting parent(s) names
  • Court order establishing custody
  • Court order establishing guardianship and authority to apply for passport.

Born Outside the USA

  • Certified foreign birth certificate (including parent(s) names)
  • Report of birth abroad (Form FS-240)
  • Certification of Birth Abroad (Form DS-1350) with parent(s) names
  •  
  • Adoption decree including adopting parent(s) names
  • Court order establishing custody
  • Court order establishing guardianship and authority to apply for passport.
3.  Parental identification (such as one of the following):
  • Valid driver's license
  • Valid U.S. or foreign passport with recognizable photo
  • Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of Citizenship from INS with recognizable photo
  • Permanent Resident Alien identification from INS
  • Valid official U.S. Military ID
  • Valid government (Federal, State, Local) employee ID

 

PARENTAL APPLICATION PERMISSION:  Appearance & Signature Documentation Required

 

  1. Both parents appear together and sign, or
     
  2. One parent appears, signs and submits second parent's notarized, written statement consenting to passport issuance for child, or
     

One parent appears, signs, and submits primary evidence of sole authority to apply (such as one of the following:
 

  • Child's certified U.S. or foreign birth certificate listing only applying parent
  • Report of Birth Abroad (FS-240) or Certification of Birth Abroad (DS13-50) listing only applying parent
  • Court order granting sole custody (unless child's travel is restricted by that order)
  • Court order specifically permitting applying parent's or guardian's travel with the child
  • Judicial declaration of  imcompetence of non-applying parent
  • Death certificate of non-applying parent or,
     
  1. One parent appears, signs and submits a notarized, written statement explaining why non-applying parent's consent cannot be obtained, or
     
  2. Third-party in loco parentis appears with notarized written statement or affidavit from both parents or custodial parent(s) authorizing the third-party to apply for passport.  When the notarized statement or affidavit is from only one parent, the third-party must present evidence of sole custody of the authorizing parent.

Children's Passport Issuance Alert Program 

Separate from the two-parent signature requirement for U.S. passport issuance, parents may also request that their children's names be entered in the U.S. Passport name-check system. The Children's Passport Issuance Alert Program provides:
 

  1. Notification to parents of passport applications made on behalf of their minor children
  2. Denial of passport issuance if appropriate court orders are on file with the CPIAP.

 

For more information, contact the Office of Children's Issues at (202) 736-7000

For further information on Passport processing, please call the Laurel Municipal Center at (301) 725-5300, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday or call our Passport Information Telephone Line at (301) 725-5305.   You may also access the U.S. State Department, Passport Information website by clicking the link.

Passport fees paid at the time of application are non-refundable processing fees.