Fill out an "Application for U.S. Passport: Form DS-11." All minors must apply for a new passport or a renewal every five years in person with at least one parent present and with proper forms and identification. You can download Form DS-11 from the State Department website or pick one up from a U.S. Post Office that handles passports. The application must be completed in person with an agent so do not sign the application until told to by the agent.
Collect the necessary pieces of identification. Parents will need to supply evidence of the child's citizenship, evidence of the relationship between the parent(s)/guardian(s) and the child, a photocopy of each parent's identification documentation, parental consent form and a new passport photo for the child. You will also have to pay the applicable fee.
Provide the child's proof of United States citizenship. You can use the child's birth certificate, the child's previous passport, the child's naturalization certificate, certificate of citizenship or consular report of birth abroad. The passport agency will return the item to you by mail. Check the State Department website for any recent changes or updates about proof of citizenship.
Provide evidence of your parental or guardianship relationship with the child. You can use the child's birth certificate with both parents' names on it, the child's foreign birth certificate with both parents' names, the child's report of birth abroad with both parents' names, the adoption decree with the parents' names, a court order establishing custody or a court order establishing guardianship.
Provide proper identification for both parents. You can use a previously issued passport, a naturalization certificate, a valid driver's license, government employee identification or military identification. You may be able to use a secondary form of identification if you cannot supply any of these. Check the State Department website for secondary options.
Make a photocopy of each document you will be using as the parents' identification. If you are applying to renew for multiple children, you will need to have separate copies for each child.
Provide a form of parental consent. Both parents must provide consent for issuing a passport for a child. If you are a single parent then you will have to provide documentation showing you are a single parent. Both parents must appear in person to fill in the application. If only one parent can come in person, that parent must have a notarized Statement of Consent (DS 3053) from the other parent, downloadable from the State Department. A single parent must provide documentation such as the child's birth certificate with only the name of one parent, a death certificate of the other parent, a court order granting sole custody, an adoption decree for the sole parent or a court order regarding the sole parent's custody or the incompetence of the other parent.
Take the paperwork along with a current passport photo and fees to a passport agency. You must sign the application in front of an agent along with presenting all the paperwork. Your child must be present with you when you sign the application.
