There are two sets of requirements for minors under 18. The first set of requirements affect all minors under 16, and the second set of requirements are for 16 and 17 year olds. For those under 16, parents must complete the form DS-11, provide a birth certificate for the minor with the parents' names, photo identification of the parents, parental consent, passport fees, and two passport photographs. The photographs must be identical, in color, and 2 inches long by 2 inches wide. It should also be a recent photograph, taken within the last six months. The requirements are the same for 16 and 17 year olds, the main difference is that minors who applied for a passport when aged 16 or older will not need to renew in person.
Legislation on February 1, 2008 stipulates that minors under the age of 16 require the permission of both parents prior to obtaining a U.S. passport. Both parents must appear in person with the minor and sign the form DS-11. If only one parent is able to appear, a statement known as DS-3053 must be signed by the unavailable parent and notarized. If one parent has sole legal custody of the minor, that parent must supply a birth certificate showing only the applying parent, a family court order, adoption papers, or a death certificate of the other parent. This law safeguards against child abduction. There is also a program called Children's Passport Issuance Alert which flags a child's name, and notifies a parent prior to issuing a passport.
For all first-time applicants and minors under the age of 16, the minor and his or her parents should appear before the acceptance agent. Most people choose to apply at their local United States post office. There are also 15 regional passport agencies across the country, from Miami to Seattle. After the paperwork is signed and stamped by the Acceptance Agent, and the necessary fees are rendered, the application is then mailed to the passport processing center. It is possible for you to check the status of an application within a week after sending in the application. Barring any complications with the application, expect to receive the passport within six weeks.
Understanding the requirements for getting a passport helps you better prepare for the application process. Beyond allowing you to travel to various parts of the world, a U.S. passport is another valid form of photo identification. This function is very beneficial if you do not have a driver's license.
For standard processing, it takes up to six weeks to receive a passport, however it is possible to expedite a passport. Those who are looking to travel internationally within two weeks can apply for and receive a passport within that amount of time. The requirement for an expedited passport is a purchased international airline ticket showing a travel date within two weeks of the passport application. The application can be taken directly to the regional passport agency or sent through expedited mail. There is an additional fee for immediate processing.
