Documents needed for a child’s U.S. passport include citizenship evidence, proof of the parent-child relationship, parent identification, Form DS-11, consent records and a passport photo. Parents should also bring photocopies, fees and any custody documents required for special cases.

Parents applying for a U.S. passport for a child under 16 should prepare both original documents and required photocopies before going to a passport acceptance facility.

The U.S. State Department requires the child to appear in person with the appropriate parent or guardian, and several types of documentation may be needed depending on the family situation.

Form DS-11 and Child Citizenship Evidence

Every child under 16 applying for a passport must use Form DS-11. Parents can complete and print the form beforehand, but it should not be signed until the passport acceptance agent instructs them to do so.

Parents must also provide physical evidence of the child’s U.S. citizenship. Accepted primary documents include a qualifying U.S. birth certificate, Consular Report of Birth Abroad, Certificate of Citizenship or a full-validity, undamaged U.S. passport previously issued to the child. Digital citizenship documents are not accepted.

Proof of Parent-Child Relationship

Officials must verify the legal relationship between the child and each parent or guardian.

A U.S. birth certificate may establish both citizenship and the parent-child relationship when it lists the parents. Other cases may require a foreign birth certificate, adoption decree, divorce or custody decree, or court order.

If a parent’s current name differs from the name shown on the relationship document, supporting evidence such as a marriage certificate or legal name-change decree may also be required.

Parent IDs, Photocopies and Consent

Both parents or guardians generally need physical photo identification. Parents must provide photocopies of the front and back of their IDs as well as a photocopy of the child’s citizenship evidence.

Photocopies should be made on single-sided 8.5-by-11-inch paper.

Both parents normally must approve issuance of a passport for a child under 16. If one parent cannot attend, Form DS-3053 and a photocopy of that parent’s identification may be required. The State Department says DS-3053 and certain notarized consent statements must generally be submitted within 90 days after signing or notarization.

Passport Photo and Special Documents

Each application requires one passport photo of the child. Parents should not staple or attach the photo to Form DS-11 because the acceptance facility handles that step.

Additional documents may be necessary in sole-custody, guardianship, adoption or missing-parent situations. These can include court orders, death certificates, adoption records or Form DS-5525, depending on the circumstances.

Parents should review their complete document set before the appointment because missing originals, photocopies or consent records can prevent an application from being submitted as planned.