Complete the Form DS-11: Application for a U.S. Passport. The form is available at many U.S. post offices, or it may be downloaded from the Internet. Fill out the application but do not sign it. It must be signed in front of an authorized acceptance agent.
Submit your child's completed DS-11 application at an acceptance facility such as a post office or passport agency. The child and the parents or guardian must all be present in order to file the application.
Provide evidence of the child's U.S. citizenship. This could be a previous passport, a birth certificate or a certificate of citizenship.
Submit evidence of your relationship to the child. This could be the child's birth certificate, which shows you as the parents; adoption papers; child custody papers; or guardianship papers. These documents must include both parents' names unless one parent has sole custody.
Present valid IDs. Parents or guardians of the applicant must provide appropriate proof of their identity. This could be a driver's license, a previously issued passport, a naturalization certificate or current military ID.
Submit a photocopy of your ID. The photocopy must be printed on white, 8 1/2-by-11 paper and show the front and back of your ID.
Give consent. For minors younger than 16, both parents must provide parental consent for the child to have a passport. This is to prevent one parent from taking a minor overseas without the knowledge or consent of the other parent. If both parents are present, consent can be given by both parents signing the Form DS-11 in front of the agent. If one parent is unavailable, the absent parent must submit a notarized statement of consent. If one parent has sole legal custody of the child, that parent must be present.
Submit a color photo of the child. The photo must be printed on photo-quality paper and measure 2-by-2-inches in size. It must have been taken in front of a plain white backdrop within the last six months.
Pay the application fee. Check online or contact your local passport agency for current prices. After the application is processed, the passport will be mailed to you.
