How to Apply for Your Child’s First Passport?

Summer is here, and now’s the right time to take your child on their first foreign trip! However, getting a child’s passport in the United States can be complicated as you must fill out several forms and attach various required documents. A child’s passport in the United States is mandatory for minors under the age of 16, can’t be renewed, and is only valid for 5 years. But how can you apply and get your child’s passport quickly for the first time?

Let us guide you. This article discusses how to apply for your child’s first passport.

Fill Out the Form DS-11

The first step in applying for your child’s US passport is to fill out the form DS-11 on their behalf. The US Department of State — Bureau of Consular Affairs has the form available on their website. However, you need to remember that a different form is required based on several factors.

Therefore, you need to provide the website with some initial information and they can generate a custom DS-11 form for you that you can download, print, and fill out by hand. This form allows you to get a passport book or passport card for your child. You can also get both.

Show That Your Child is a Citizen of the United States

Besides filing out the passport application, you also need to attach some documents to get your child’s passport quickly. One of the most important steps is to prove your child’s US citizenship. You can submit a birth certificate if your child was born in the United States.

However, if they were born in any other country, you need to attach their Consular Report of Birth Abroad. Parents of immigrant children need to attach the citizenship certificate. Additionally, you should never submit an electronic certificate; instead, submit physical copies of the proof of your child’s citizenship alongside a legible photocopy of the attached document.

 

Attach Your Child’s Picture

One of the most important requirements to apply for your child’s first passport is to attach their picture alongside the application. Make sure that the picture is in color and has been taken in the last 6 months. Additionally, you need to remember that the background should be clear and white or off-white. The Passport Acceptance Agent doesn’t accept selfies, pictures that have been filtered, or pictures with eyeglasses. Also, never staple the picture to the form or other documents.

Prove Parental Relationship

You need to remember that a child under the age of 16 can’t apply for their own passport in the United States. Therefore, the parent who applies on their behalf must prove their parental relationship to the child. If you’re the child's biological parent, you can submit their US birth certificate or Consular Report of Birth Abroad to prove that you’re the parent. However, adoptive parents must submit the adoption certificate, and divorced parents with sole legal custody should attach the divorce certificate and the custody decree.

Legal guardians can also attach legal guardianship documents to prove the parental relationship. The guardians/adoptive parents/biological parents also need to submit a valid identification document to show they’re a United States citizens. These include a valid passport, a driver’s license, a green card, a certificate of citizenship, a government employee ID, etc. Make sure to attach a physical ID and its clear photocopy, as electronic or mobile IDs aren’t accepted for the passport procedure.

 

Get Consent from Both Parents

The consent of both parents is mandatory to get a child’s passport in the United States. Therefore, both parents must visit the Passport Acceptance Agent to submit the form.

However, if one parent can’t appear, they can fill out the DS-3053 form to show their consent. If neither parent can appear, a third party can apply, with both parents filling out the form DS-3053 to prove their consent. However, if you have sole custody of your child, the presence or consent of the other parent isn’t compulsory.

Pay Fees and Submit the Form

Once your form is completed and you have attached the required documents. If you’re applying to get a passport book for your child, you’d have to pay a $100 fee, alongside a $35 execution fee. In contrast, if you want a passport card, you’d have to pay $15, alongside an execution fee of $35.

You need to pay a $35 execution fee and $115 if you want a book and card both. Fill out a cheque and attach it to your application. Submit the form, fee, and documents to a Passport Acceptance Agent in-person at the nearest facility.

Get Started with Prompt Passport Services

If you’re based in Philadelphia, Prompt Passport Services can help you get your child’s passport quickly and easily. They’re a registered company known for helping you get emergency expedited passports. With their delivery services for all 50 states of the United States, the passport issuance, delivery, and renewal process can get easier, allowing you to get your child’s first passport without a lot of hassle.

Get in touch with them for fast child passport delivery services.