Getting a Passport
For All Minors Under Age 14 :
* Each minor child needs to appear in person.
* All applications for children under 14 require both parents' or legal guardians' consent.
For All Minors Ages 14 to 17:
* Each minor child needs to appear in person.
* For security reasons, parental consent may be requested.
* If your child does not have identification of his/her own, you need to accompany your child and
present identification.
To Apply in Person for a U.S. Passport You MUST:
1. Provide Application for Passport, Form DS-11
* Download an application form or forms can be obtained from any passport agency or acceptance facility.
NOTE: Please do NOT sign the DS-11 application form until the Passport Acceptance Agent instructs you to do so.
2. Present Proof of U.S. Citizenship
All documentation submitted as evidence of U.S. Citizenship will be returned with the issued passport. See Processing Times . You may prove U.S. Citizenship with any one of the following:
* Previous U.S. Passport (mutilated, altered, or damaged passports are not acceptable as evidence of U.S. citizenship.)
* Certified birth certificate (as a registrar's raised, embossed, impressed or multicolored seal, registrar’s signature, and the date the certificate was filed with the registrar's office, which must be within 1 year of your birth) issued by the city, county or state
* Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Birth
* Naturalization Certificate
* Certificate of Citizenship
Present Proof of Identity
You may prove your identity with any one of these, if you are recognizable:
* Previous U.S. passport (mutilated, altered, or damaged passports are not acceptable as proof of identity.)
* Naturalization Certificate
* Current, valid
o Driver's license
o Government ID: city, state or federal
o Military ID: military and dependents
A person who can vouch for you. He/she must:
* Have known you for at least 2 years,
* Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident,
* Have valid ID, and
* Fill out a Form DS-71 in the presence of a passport agent.
FOR MINORS UNDER THE AGE OF 14: Each minor child shall appear in person. Both parents or legal guardians must present evidence of identity when they apply for a minor under the age of 14. Read more information on the identity requirements for minors under the age of 14. FOR MINORS 14 to 17:
* Your child MUST appear in person.
* For security reasons, parental consent may be requested.
* If your child does not have identification of his/her own, you need to accompany your child, present identification and co-sign the application.
Provide Two Passport Photos
Your photographs must be:
* 2x2 inches in size
* Identical
* Taken within the past 6 months, showing current appearance
* Color
* Full face, front view with a plain white or off-white background
* Between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head
* Taken in normal street attire
o Uniforms should not be worn in photographs except religious attire that is worn daily.
o Do not wear a hat or headgear that obscures the hair or hairline.
o If you normally wear prescription glasses, a hearing device, wig or similar articles, they should be worn for your picture.
o Dark glasses or nonprescription glasses with tinted lenses are not acceptable unless you need them for medical reasons. A medical certificate may be required.
Pay the Applicable Fee
Provide a Social Security Number
he National Passport Information Center (NPIC) Passport Services Office provides information and services to American citizens about how to obtain, replace or change a passport.
You may wish to contact the NPIC at:
Phone: 1-877-4USA-PPT (1-877-487-2778)
TDD/TTY: 1-888-874-7793
National Passport Information Center (NPIC)
Correspondence Branch, Passport Services, Suite 510
1111 19th St. NW
Washington, D.C. 20524
Source; US State Depeartment
