Getting Your Child’s Passport Fast: 5-Minute Guide
Four things trip parents up on a child passport. Your child must be there in person, at any age, including newborns. Do not sign Form DS-11 in advance, because you sign it in front of the agent. Both parents must consent for a child under 16, and if one cannot attend, that parent needs a notarised Form DS-3053 less than three months old. Apply three to four months before travel.
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Information sourced as of January 2025. The fees, forms and processing times below were current when this guide was published and match our companion PDF. Passport fees and timelines change, so confirm at travel.state.gov before you apply.
The four things that trip parents up
Your child must be there in person. No exceptions, at any age, including newborns.
Do not sign Form DS-11 in advance. You sign it in front of the agent. Signing early is one of the most common causes of a wasted appointment.
Both parents must consent for a child under 16. If one cannot attend, that parent needs a notarised Form DS-3053, and the notarisation must be less than three months old.
Apply three to four months before travel. Standard processing runs 6 to 10 weeks door to door.
The key numbers
| Total cost, passport book | $135, being a $100 application fee plus a $35 execution fee |
| Standard processing | 4 to 6 weeks, or 6 to 10 weeks including mailing |
| Validity, under 16 | 5 years, against 10 for adults |
| Notarised consent | Valid for a maximum of 3 months |
Why children’s passports work differently
Children under 16 face stricter rules than adults, and the reason is child protection. Federal law requires both parents to consent before a travel document is issued to a minor, which is intended to prevent international child abduction.
Two other differences matter. Children cannot renew by mail. Every application, including replacing an expired passport, starts fresh with Form DS-11 in person. And children’s passports last five years rather than ten, because appearance changes so quickly.
Book or card?
| Passport book | Passport card | |
|---|---|---|
| Total cost | $135 | $50 |
| International air travel | Yes | No |
| Land and sea to Canada, Mexico, Caribbean | Yes | Yes |
| Validity | 5 years | 5 years |
The card cannot be used to fly internationally, which catches families out. Choose the book for flexibility, or take both for $150 total, which saves $20 against buying them separately and leaves you a backup document.
What to bring
- Form DS-11, completed but unsigned. Fill it in online at travel.state.gov or print and complete by hand.
- Proof of citizenship, original or certified. Your child’s birth certificate with an official seal, listing both parents’ full names and issued by a city, county or state. A Consular Report of Birth Abroad, Certificate of Citizenship or an undamaged previous passport also work.
- A photocopy of that citizenship document, black and white, on 8.5 by 11 inch paper, single sided.
- Proof of your relationship, such as the birth certificate naming you, an adoption decree or custody documentation.
- Photo identification for each attending parent, plus clear photocopies of the front and back of each.
- One passport photo, 2 by 2 inches, in colour, taken within the last six months.
Citizenship proof must be physical. Digital or mobile birth certificates are not accepted, and neither are photocopies in place of the original.
Photo rules, since rejections are common
Plain white or off white background, neutral expression with both eyes open, though infants may simply be relaxed. No glasses, hats or headphones. Religious head coverings are permitted. Incorrect background or specifications is the single most common reason a photo is rejected, so a professional service is usually worth the small cost.
Parental consent, by situation
| Your situation | What you need |
|---|---|
| Both parents can attend | Both present with valid photo identification, both signing DS-11 at the facility. Simplest and fastest, no extra forms |
| One parent cannot attend | Attending parent brings identification. Absent parent completes Form DS-3053, notarised within the last 3 months, plus a photocopy of the same identification shown to the notary |
| Sole legal custody | A court order or divorce decree granting sole custody, a birth certificate naming only one parent, or a death certificate. Only the custodial parent appears |
| Cannot locate the other parent | Form DS-5525, a detailed explanation of your efforts to find them, and supporting evidence. Note this does not guarantee approval |
Three details on notarisation that cause rejections: the absent parent must appear before the notary in person, the identification copy must match what was shown to the notary, and electronic notarisation is accepted only where it is legally valid in your state.
The application, step by step
- One to two weeks before. Gather documents, complete DS-11 without signing, sort out parental consent, check the birth certificate is acceptable, confirm both parents’ identification is current, and get the photo taken.
- Find an acceptance facility. Post offices are most common, along with public libraries, city and county clerk offices and some AAA locations. Most require appointments, bookable up to four weeks ahead through the locator at travel.state.gov.
- Attend the appointment. The agent reviews documents, witnesses signatures, attaches the photo, takes the $35 execution fee and gives you a receipt with a tracking number. Your child must be present and everyone required must attend.
- Track it at passportstatus.state.gov using your receipt number. Status can take one to two weeks to appear.
Fees, and the two payment trap
| Service | Application fee | Execution fee | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passport book | $100 | $35 | $135 |
| Passport card | $15 | $35 | $50 |
| Book and card together | $115 | $35 | $150 |
| Expedited service | Add $60 | 2 to 3 weeks processing | |
| 1 to 2 day return delivery | Add $21.36 | Faster return shipping | |
These are two separate payments and must not be combined. The $100 application fee goes to the U.S. Department of State by check or money order. The $35 execution fee goes to the acceptance facility, which may take cash, check, money order or sometimes card. Call ahead and ask, because it varies by location.
If you need it faster
Expedited service costs $60, processes in 2 to 3 weeks, and totals 4 to 5 weeks with mailing. Suitable if travel is 6 to 10 weeks away.
Urgent travel within 14 days requires an appointment at a passport agency and proof of international travel. Additional fees apply.
Life or death emergencies with travel inside 72 hours receive expedited handling and same day service is available at passport agencies. You need proof of the emergency and of travel within three business days, and you must book by calling 1-877-487-2778.
Our expedited passport guide covers all three routes in more detail.
Mistakes that waste an appointment
- Signing DS-11 before the appointment, which is a major delay
- Bringing photocopies instead of original citizenship documents
- Forgetting the photocopies, or preparing them incorrectly
- Expired parental identification
- A photo that does not meet specifications, the most common rejection of all
- Combining the two fees, or bringing only one payment method
- A notarised consent form older than three months
- Missing the photocopy of the absent parent’s identification
- Applying too close to travel, or not checking the destination’s passport validity rules
Special situations
- Name changes. Bring the court order documenting the legal change, an adoption decree, or an amended birth certificate.
- Children born abroad. A Consular Report of Birth Abroad is required. Without one your child may need a Certificate of Citizenship first, so contact the nearest embassy or consulate.
- Military families. A deployed parent can provide a notarised DS-3053 from overseas, and military legal assistance offices provide notary services. Families stationed abroad apply at a U.S. embassy or consulate.
- Joint custody. Both parents must still consent unless a court order says otherwise. Bring the divorce decree if it specifies travel permissions.
- Sole legal custody. The court order must specifically grant passport or travel authority, not merely custody.
Once it arrives
Check the spelling of your child’s name, the birth date and the photo immediately, and record the passport number somewhere safe. Store it dry and secure, and keep photocopies separately from the original when travelling.
Enroll in the Children’s Passport Issuance Alert Program. It is free, it notifies you if anyone attempts to apply for a passport for your child, and you enroll using Form DS-3077. Very few parents know it exists, and it is the strongest protection available against an unauthorised application.
Watch the six month rule. Many countries require at least six months of validity remaining on arrival. Check your destination before booking, and renew early if the passport expires soon after your trip.
What changes at 16
Your child’s sixteenth birthday is a genuine milestone. From then they receive a full ten year adult passport, they can renew by mail for every future renewal, and only one parent needs to sign.
Their first adult passport still uses Form DS-11 rather than the renewal form, and they need their current child passport even if expired, a fresh photo meeting adult standards, and government issued identification such as a driver’s licence.
Apply within two or three months of the birthday to get the most out of the ten year validity.
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Frequently asked questions
How much is a child’s passport?
$135 for the book, being a $100 application fee and a $35 execution fee, paid separately. A passport card is $50, or both together cost $150.
Do both parents have to be there?
Both must consent for a child under 16. If one cannot attend, they complete Form DS-3053, notarised within the last three months, and provide a photocopy of the identification shown to the notary.
Does my child have to come to the appointment?
Yes, always, with no exceptions, including newborns.
How long does it take?
4 to 6 weeks processing, or 6 to 10 weeks including mailing. Expedited service costs $60 and takes 2 to 3 weeks, totalling 4 to 5 weeks.
Can I renew my child’s passport by mail?
No. Children under 16 must apply in person every time using Form DS-11. Mail renewal becomes available at 16.
How long is it valid?
Five years for children under 16, compared with ten years for adults.
What if I cannot find the other parent?
Submit Form DS-5525 with a detailed account of your efforts to locate them and supporting evidence. It does not guarantee approval and additional documentation may be requested.
Related GovClarity guides
- What to Do If Your Passport Is Lost or Stolen: Before and During Your Trip (2026)
- Passport Name Change 2026: Which Form Do You Need? (Marriage or Divorce)
- 2026 Passport Deadlines: Apply Now or Miss Christmas Abroad
- Flying With Kids Alone in 2026: Every Airline Rule & Mistake to Avoid
Official resources
- Forms and information: travel.state.gov
- Find an acceptance facility: iafdb.travel.state.gov
- Check your application status: passportstatus.state.gov
- National Passport Information Center: 1-877-487-2778
- Children’s Passport Issuance Alert Program: Form DS-3077, via travel.state.gov
Details as of January 2025. Fees and processing times change, so verify at travel.state.gov before applying. GovClarity is not a government agency and cannot process applications.
