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.
• Note: When completing your child's form by hand, please list on Address Line 2 "In Care Of" your name or the name of the child's other parent or legal guardian. By providing “In Care Of” information, you will ensure that your child's passport is not returned to us if the delivery service does not recognize your child's name as someone who normally gets mail at your address.
• 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 can apply for a passport book, a passport card, or both documents.
• You may request a larger passport book with 52 pages for your child, at no additional cost, by checking the 'large book' box at the top of the DS-11.

Your evidence must be an original or certified, physical copy. A certified copy is any document that has the seal or stamp of the official issuing authority. You must submit one of the following documents for your child:

• Full validity, undamaged U.S. passport (expired passports are accepted). Full validity means the document is/was valid for 10 years for adults and 5 years for children under 16.
• 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.

You cannot submit digital evidence of your child's U.S. citizenship such as a mobile or electronic birth certificate. You must submit physical evidence of U.S. citizenship and a photocopy of the document. 

In addition to the original or certified copy of your child's citizenship evidence, you must submit a photocopy of the document. 

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)
• 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 or guardians must present one of the following identification documents (IDs) to the acceptance agent: 

• Valid or expired, undamaged U.S. passport book or passport card 
• In-state, fully valid driver's license or enhanced driver's license with photo
• Certificate of Naturalization 
• Certificate of Citizenship 
• Government employee ID (city, county, state, or federal)
• U.S. military or military dependent ID
• Current (valid) foreign passport
• Matricula Consular (Mexican Consular ID) - commonly used by a parent of a U.S. citizen child applicant
• U.S. Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) - commonly used by a parent of a U.S. citizen child applicant
• Trusted Traveler IDs (including valid Global Entry, FAST, SENTRI, and NEXUS cards)
• Enhanced Tribal Cards and Native American tribal photo IDs
• Note: you may be asked to present an additional ID when presenting one of these three documents: 1) In-state, fully-valid learner's permit with photo, 2) In-state, fully-valid non-driver ID with photo, or 3) temporary driver's license with photo. 

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

Please note:

• Some states now issue digital ID documents (also known as mobile driver's licenses or mobile IDs). We cannot accept these digital IDs when you apply for your child's U.S. passport. You must continue to submit your physical, photo ID and a photocopy of the ID.  
• If you present an out-of-state ID, 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 your child. To avoid processing delays, be sure the photo meets all our requirements.

• Do not attach or staple your photo to the form. The acceptance agent or passport employee accepting your child's form will review the photo and staple it. 
• Some passport acceptance facilities provide photo services for an additional fee.  
• We have special tips for taking photos of infants and newborns on our Photo Requirements page. 

Child Applicants:

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

Expedited service costs an additional $60. For information on forms of payment and a full list of fees and services, please see Passport Fees.

*How to fill out your check 

Inside the United States:

• You and your child must submit the completed application, including supporting documents, 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 My Passport Fast for more information. 

Outside the United States:

Contact your U.S. embassy or consulate.

No, children under age 16 are not eligible to mail in passport applications. Additionally, you cannot apply online for a child's passport.

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.

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. After we print your child's passport, we will send it to you and return your child's supporting documents. How we send your child's passport and supporting documents depends if you applied for a book and/or a card and if you paid an additional fee for 1-2 day delivery.

After we print your passport, we will send it to you and return your supporting documents. How we send your passport and supporting documents depends if you applied for a book and/or a card and if you paid an additional fee for 1-2 day delivery.    

I applied for a passport book only: You may receive your newly-issued passport and your citizenship documents in two separate mailings. You may wait 8 weeks after receiving your passport before you receive a second mailing with your citizenship documents. We can send your passport book via a 1-2 day delivery service.

I applied for a passport card only: You may receive your newly-issued passport card and your citizenship documents in two separate mailings. You may wait 8 weeks after receiving your passport before you receive a second mailing with your citizenship documents. We only send the passport card via First Class Mail. We do not send cards via 1-2 day delivery services.

I applied for both a passport book and passport card: You may receive three separate mailings; one with your citizenship documents, one with your newly-issued passport book, and one with your newly-issued passport card. You may wait 8 weeks after receiving your passport book before you receive a second and third mailing with your passport card and citizenship documents.

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.