When applying to renew a U.S. passport for a child under 16 you must apply in person through a pre-arranged appointment. Both parents are normally required to attend. It is essential that the child appears in person.
The following requirements are mandatorily needed:
- The child’s most recent U.S. passport;
- One U.S. passport sized (2x2inch) photograph – see photo requirements for information or check our SlideShare presentation. Photos which do not meet the requirements will be rejected; U.K. sized photos will not be accepted; If your child was under 5 at the time their last passport was issued, present 1-2 photographs per year from when that passport was issued to present, to show how their appearance has changed (family or informal photographs are acceptable);
- Your child’s U.S. birth certificate or Consular Report of Birth Abroad, showing the parent’s name(s);
- Government issued photo I.D of parents (such as U.S or foreign passport, driving license or military I.D);
- The non-refundable application fee for a U.S passport under 16 is $105.00. You will pay the fee in person to the cashier at the time you appear at the Passport Facility.
- Form DS-11.
Complete the form online and print but the customer must not sign it as they are required to sign the form before a consular officer. The presence of the child is also required together with both parents.
If one custodial parent is not able to attend, s/he must submit a notarized Form DS-3053 Statement of Consent. At the time the DS-3053 form is presented, a copy of the same identity document used to notarize the form must also be provided.
Alternatively, the applying parent may furnish one of the following documents:
- Child’s birth certificate listing only applying parent;
- Adoption decree (if applying parent is sole adopting parent);
- Court Order granting sole custody to the applying parent (i.e the absent parent has no access to the child. Child’s travel must not be restricted by that order;
- Judicial declaration of incompetence of non-applying parent, or death certificate of non-applying parent.