Fill out a passport application. The application is known as form DS-11 and can be obtained from a passport application acceptance facility, such as a post office or county clerk's office. Alternatively, the application can be downloaded online through the U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs website and then printed. All minors are required to appear in person while submitting the application, and a parent or guardian must be present. Parents can fill out the application for minors who are unable to fill it out themselves.
Take a passport photo of the minor. The photo must be in color, measure 2 inches by 2 inches and be printed on photo quality paper. The minor's head must be between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inch from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head in the photo. The picture needs to be less than six months old and taken in front of a white or off-white background. Additional requirements can be found on the U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs website.
Gather required documents. Required documents include a passport photo, proof of the minor's U.S. citizenship, proof of the minor's relationship to the parents, photo identification for parents, photo identification for minors 16 or 17 years of age and a parental consent form signed by both parents. The consent form must be notarized if only one parent is present at the time of applying. If the present parent is the sole custodian for the minor, consent from another parent is not required. However, the parent will need to submit proof of sole custodianship.
Submit passport application and required documents at an approved application facility. Pay the required fees for a child's passport if the minor is under 16. Minors 16 and 17 years of age are subject to adult passport fees.
Wait for the passport application to be approved. This usually takes four to six weeks, but expedited service is available for an additional fee. Expedited service takes two to three weeks to process.
