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Passport Application for a Child (Age 15 & Under)

Every U.S. passport applicant age 15 or under must apply in person, generally with both parents or guardians present, using Form DS-11. We prepare the paperwork and manage the process through the New York Passport Agency.

1. Documents 2. Fees 3. Acceptance Facility Submit

Because a child cannot yet hold a renewable passport under their own signature, every application for an applicant 15 or under is treated as a new application — even if the child has held a passport before. Both parents or legal guardians are generally required to appear together at the Acceptance Facility.

Applicant age
15 and under
Government fee
$183.36 (add $15 for a passport card)
VisaRite service fee
Super Rush, from $499
In-person visit
Required — generally both parents/guardians
1

Gather your application paperwork

Have these ready before you start — incomplete paperwork is the most common cause of delay.

Proof of citizenship

Provide one of the following: an original or certified birth certificate, an original Certificate of Naturalization, a previous undamaged passport, or an FS-240, DS-1350, or Certificate of Citizenship if the child was born abroad to U.S. parent(s). All citizenship documents are returned with the new passport.

Child's relationship to parent(s) or guardian(s)

Provide one of the following:

  • Official U.S. government birth certificate listing both parents' names.
  • Foreign birth certificate listing both parents' names, with an official translation.
  • FS-240 or DS-1350 listing both parents' names.
  • Adoption decree listing the adopting parents' names.
  • Court order establishing custody.
  • Court order establishing guardianship.

Parent's proof of identity

A clear photocopy of the accompanying parent's driver's license showing their photo.

Passport Application Form DS-11
  • Complete the DS-11 form online at the U.S. Department of State's website — handwritten forms are no longer accepted.
  • On the final "Print Summary" page, scroll to the bottom left and click Create Form to generate the printable application.
  • Print single-sided pages only — not back-to-back.
  • Do not sign the form until instructed to at the Acceptance Facility.
  • Adding a passport card option adds $15 to the government fee for a child applicant.

Passport Authorization Letter

Your authorization for VisaRite to act as your agent with the Passport Agency, signed by either parent. This must carry an original (wet) signature — faxes and photocopies aren't accepted. Print and sign 2 copies: one goes inside the sealed envelope, the other is attached to the outside (see Step 3).

One recent passport photo

See our passport photo requirements, or find a location near you to have one taken.

Travel evidence

An international travel itinerary departing within 2 weeks (or 4 weeks if a visa is also needed).

2

Pay the government & service fees

Make one check or money order payable to "U.S. Department of State" for $183.36, or $198.36 if you're also requesting a passport card.

Paying the government fee: Personal check, business check, or money order made payable to "U.S. Department of State" in the amount above — credit cards and starter checks are not accepted. Be sure to write your date of birth on the check. If you have multiple applicants, use a separate check for each person; do not combine them into one check.
Service level Review Agency processing Shipping Service fee
Super Rush 1 day 4–6 days 1–2 days $499

Service fees may be paid online by credit card (a 3.6% surcharge applies) and are separate from the government fee above. Processing time reflects the Passport Agency's time to process your application once received — it does not include return shipping, and the day we receive your package does not count as a processing day.

3

Visit a Passport Acceptance Facility

The child must be present at the Passport Acceptance Facility. In most cases, both parents or guardians must appear together to sign the application.

Only one parent able to appear? That parent must either demonstrate sole legal authority to apply on the child's behalf, or bring the other parent's signed Statement of Consent authorizing the passport.
What happens at the Acceptance Facility
  • Tell the clerk you're using an expediting service and need to "hand carry" your application.
  • The clerk will ask for your ID (driver's license) and have you sign the DS-11 form in front of them.
  • The clerk completes the ID information, signs, and stamps the application form.
  • The clerk seals the envelope and places an official stamp or seal on or beside the seal mark, and may mark it "Hand Carry" or "Open by authorized passport agent only."
  • You'll pay a $35 execution fee at the facility.
  • The clerk returns the sealed envelope to you so you can send it to VisaRite by FedEx.

If the clerk hesitates to release the envelope to you, they can refer to their Passport Agent's Manual, section on "Hand-Carrying of Executed Applications."

Once your envelope is signed and sealed, send it to us right away — it expires 3 business days after it's sealed.
What must be inside the sealed envelope
  • The signed original DS-11 application form.
  • The child's original proof of citizenship (birth certificate or naturalization certificate).
  • One passport photo.
  • Your check made out to the U.S. Department of State.
  • One original Passport Authorization Letter with a wet signature.
  • One photocopy of the accompanying parent's driver's license or supplemental ID.
  • Travel evidence showing departure within 14 days.

Also include, outside the sealed envelope: one additional Passport Authorization Letter with an original wet signature.

Send us your application for a pre-check

  1. Email service@visarite.net a scanned copy or clear photos of your complete application paperwork before you ship anything.
  2. We'll review everything for errors or omissions that could delay processing.
  3. Once your pre-check is complete, we'll email you detailed shipping instructions.

Following these steps closely is the single biggest thing you can do to avoid delays.

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