DS-11: Application for a U.S. Passport

Please note:

• The Form Filler will select the correct form for you based on the information you input. It may generate a different form from what you expect.
• Do not sign your child's application until instructed to do so by the acceptance agent.
• You must provide your child's Social Security number, if they have been issued one, in accordance with 22 U.S.C. 2714a and 22 C.F.R 51.60(f). 
  • If your child does not have a Social Security number, you must submit a statement, signed and dated, that includes the phrase, “I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States of America that the following is true and correct:  (Child's full name) has never been issued a Social Security Number by the Social Security Administration.”
  • For more information, please see Frequently Asked Questions.
• You may request a larger passport book with 52 pages for your child, at no additional cost, by checking the '52 page' box at the top of the DS-11.

You must submit one of the following U.S. citizenship documents for your child. Your evidence must be an original or certified copy. Photocopies and notarized copies are not acceptable.

• Fully-valid, undamaged U.S. passport (may be expired)
• U.S. birth certificate that meets the following requirements: 
  • Issued by the city, county, or state of birth
  • Lists applicant's full name, date of birth, and place of birth
  • Lists the parent(s)' full names
  • Has the date filed with registrar's office (must be within one year of birth)
  • Has the registrar's signature
  • Has the seal of the issuing authority
• Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Birth
• Certificate of Citizenship

If you cannot submit one of the above acceptable documents for your child, or for more information, please see Citizenship Evidence.

Submit a photocopy of the front (and back, if there is printed information) of the U.S. citizenship evidence you’re submitting.

Photocopies must be:

• Legible
• On white 8.5”x11” standard paper
• Black and white
• Single-sided

If you don't want to submit a photocopy of your citizenship evidence, you may submit a second certified copy of your citizenship evidence, which we will keep. If you don’t submit a photocopy or a second certified copy of your citizenship evidence, your passport processing could be delayed.

You must submit documentation that lists the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) of the child applying for a passport.  

The following may be used to show parental relationship:

• U.S. birth certificate (also evidence of U.S. citizenship)
• Consular Report of Birth Abroad (also evidence of U.S. citizenship)
• Foreign birth certificate
• Adoption decree
• Divorce/Custody decree

Please note: Some documents, like a U.S. birth certificate, show both U.S. citizenship and parental relationship. These documents must be originals or certified copies (not photocopies).

The parents/guardians must present one of the following identification documents (IDs) to the acceptance agent: 

• In-state, fully-valid driver's license
• Valid or expired, undamaged, U.S. passport
• Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship 
• Government employee ID (city, county, state or federal)
• U.S. military ID or military dependent ID
• Valid foreign passport
• Matricula Consular (Mexican Consular Identification, commonly used by a parent of a U.S. citizen child applicant)

If you cannot present one of the IDs above, or for more information, please see Identification.

Please note: If you present out-of-state identification, you must present an additional ID.

Submit a photocopy of the front and back of each ID that you present to the acceptance agent.

Requirements:

• Photocopy must be on plain white, 8 1/2 x 11" standard paper.
• Photocopy cannot be double-sided.
• Do not decrease the image size (although you may enlarge it).

Both parents/guardians must authorize the issuance of the child's passport. The best way to do this is for both parents/guardians to go with the child in person to apply for the passport.

What if both parents/guardians cannot appear in person?

Please Note: Written authorization from the parent that cannot appear in person must be less than three months old.  

You must provide one photo of the child with the application.

Please note:

• Do not attach your photo to the form before submitting it to the acceptance agent.
• Some passport acceptance facilities provide photo services for an additional fee.  

Tips for taking photos of infants and newborns:

• Lay the child on its back on a white blanket or sheet to ensure its head is supported without the aid of a hand.  
• Alternatively, cover a car seat with a plain white sheet and take a picture of your child in the car seat. 
• Please make sure no other person is in the photo. 
• A photo with the child looking at the camera is preferred, although not required.  

To avoid processing delays, be sure the photo meets all photo requirements.

Child Applicants:

Please note: The application fee and the execution fee are paid separately.

For information on forms of payment and a full list of fees and services, please see Passport Fees.

Inside the United States:

• You and your child must submit your completed application, including citizenship evidence, photocopy of ID, photo, and fees, in person at a passport acceptance facility.
• Your child may be eligible to apply in person at a passport agency if you are traveling soon. Please see Get a Passport in a Hurry for more information. 

Outside the United States:

Please contact your U.S. Embassy and Consulate for how to submit your child's documents, since processes vary.

No, children applicants under 16 are not eligible to mail in their passport applications. Additionally, the Department of State does not currently have the option to submit passport applications online. 

Some acceptance facilities require appointments and others do not. We recommend calling the acceptance facility ahead of time to verify their hours, acceptable forms of payment, and appointment requirements. Find your acceptance facility.

No, your passports will be mailed back separately. In addition, your citizenship evidence generally will be mailed back separately from your new passport.

Newly-issued passport books are delivered using Priority Mail with Delivery Confirmation, unless you pay for Priority Express return service when you apply.

All passport cards are mailed using First Class Mail. Passport cards cannot be delivered using Priority Express.

When completing your child's passport application, we recommend you add your name in the “In Care Of” part of the Mailing Address section on Form DS-11. 

Families may write one check or money order to the U.S. Department of State for their passport application fees if they are applying in person at the same time. The check or money order must include the name and date of birth of each applicant.

All other applicants must submit individual checks or money orders to the U.S. Department of State for their passport application fees. Please include the applicant's name and date of birth on the check or money order.

You and your child may have different last names, as long as the parental relationship document lists your full name. If your name has changed from that on the parental relationship document, please submit proof of your legal name change (e.g. marriage certificate or court order).

Parents may enroll their U.S. citizen children under the age of 18 in the Children’s Passport Issuance Alert Program (CPIAP), one of the Department of State’s most important tools for preventing international parental child abduction.  If a passport application is submitted for a child who is enrolled in CPIAP, we attempt to alert the parent(s) to verify whether they approve passport issuance.

If you choose not to submit a photocopy, you may submit a second certified copy of your child's birth certificate. We will keep this second certified copy for our records.