Child Passport Application in the USA

Applying for a U.S. passport for a child involves different requirements from an adult application, especially when it comes to parental consent. This guide explains the application steps, documents and passport photo requirements for children under 16.

Table of contents

• U.S. Passport Application Process for Minors
• Documents Needed for a Child's U.S. Passport Application
• How to Take a Passport Photo for a Child
• U.S. Passport Photo Requirements for Children
• Get a USA passport photo for children online

U.S. Passport Application Process for Minors

Children under 16 must apply in person using Form DS-11. Parents or legal guardians must provide consent and the required supporting documents. These rules apply to first applications and to new applications when a child's previous passport expires: passports issued to children under 16 cannot be renewed through the adult renewal process. The State Department's child passport application guidance explains the requirements.

Fill Out the Form

A parent or guardian can complete the DS-11 form for the child. Use the official Form Filler to complete it online, then print it on single-sided paper. You can also download the form, print it and fill it out by hand. Completing the form online does not submit the passport application.

Do not sign the form until the passport acceptance agent tells you to do so at the in-person appointment.

Gather the Required Documents

You will generally need:

• Evidence of your child's U.S. citizenship and a photocopy;
• Proof of your relationship to the child or legal guardianship;
• Parents' or guardians' photo IDs and photocopies;
• Proof of parental consent;
• One printed passport photo that meets the requirements;
• Payment for the required passport fees.

The document checklist and photo requirements are explained in the following sections.

Apply in Person With Your Child and Both Parents or Guardians

Bring your child, the completed form and all required documents to a passport acceptance facility. Both parents or guardians should attend. If one or both cannot appear, you must provide the appropriate consent or legal documents, as explained below. If you live abroad, apply through a U.S. embassy or consulate.

Documents Needed for a Child's U.S. Passport Application

Evidence of U.S. Citizenship

Use one of the following documents:

• An undamaged U.S. passport, which may be expired;
• A U.S. birth certificate that meets the following requirements:
  • Issued by the city, county or state of birth;
  • Lists the child's full name, date of birth and place of birth;
  • Lists the parents' names;
  • Shows the date it was filed with the registrar's office, within one year of birth;
  • Has the registrar's signature;
  • Has the issuing authority's seal.
• A Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Birth;
• A Certificate of Citizenship.

Bring a photocopy of the citizenship document as well as the original. The photocopy must be:

• Legible;
• On white 8.5 × 11-inch paper;
• In black and white;
• Single-sided.

Proof of Parental Relationship or Guardianship

Use one of the following documents:

• A U.S. birth certificate;
• A Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Birth;
• A foreign birth certificate;
• An adoption decree;
• A divorce or custody decree.

Parents' Photo IDs and Photocopies

Accepted IDs include:

• A valid or expired, undamaged U.S. passport book or passport card;
• A fully valid, in-state driver's license or enhanced driver's license with a photo;
• A Certificate of Naturalization;
• A Certificate of Citizenship;
• A government employee ID;
• A U.S. military or military dependent ID;
• A current foreign passport;
• A Matricula Consular (Mexican Consular ID);
• A U.S. Permanent Resident Card (Green Card);
• A Trusted Traveler ID, including a valid Global Entry, FAST, SENTRI or NEXUS card;
• An Enhanced Tribal Card or Native American tribal photo ID.

Bring photocopies of the front and back of each parent's or guardian's ID.

Proof of Parental Consent

If one or both parents cannot attend, you must provide documents showing that you have permission to apply for the child's passport. The required documents depend on your situation, such as having sole legal authority, an absent parent or a parent who cannot be located. A third party applying without either parent must also provide the required parental authorization. See our guide to the two-parent rule for a child's U.S. passport for more details.

How to Take a Passport Photo for a Child

Here are some tips for photographing your child at home:

• For a baby, use a car seat or lay them on their back on a blanket so their head is supported;
• Use a white/off-white blanket or sheet to provide a proper background;
• Make sure your child faces the camera. A baby's eyes do not have to be entirely open, but older children's eyes must be open;
• Avoid shadows on your child's face.

U.S. Passport Photo Requirements for Children

Bring one printed photo for your child's DS-11 application. The digital upload specifications used for visa applications or adult online passport renewal do not apply to this in-person child passport application. The State Department's passport photo requirements specify:

• A color photo taken within the last six months;
• A plain white background;
• A printed photo measuring 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm), on matte or glossy photo-quality paper;
• A head height of 25 to 35 mm, measured from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head;
• A baby's eyes do not have to be entirely open. All other children must have their eyes open.

Here is an example of a U.S. passport photo:

Get a USA passport photo for children online

Taking the right photo of your child for a passport application can already be tricky enough, but then it will still have to fulfill all the technical requirements. To save time and resources, you can trust professionals to take care of your photo.

Just take a picture of your child in good lighting with the tips above and upload it to our tool below.

Take an image with a smartphone or camera against any background, upload it here, and instantly get a professional photo for your visa, passport, or ID.

You will get two files from Visafoto: a digital photo for electronic applications and a template ready for printing.

If you are not satisfied with the result, please contact our 24/7 support: we will fix the image or provide 100% refund!

Last updated: 7 October 2026.