Embassy of the United States

Special Requirements for Children Under Age 16

Special Requirements for Children Under Age 16

All children under the age of 16 are required to appear at the Embassy with both parents in order to apply for or renew a passport or passport card. If only one parent is able to attend with the child, then please see "Application by One Parent" below.

These extra steps are designed to make sure that one parent does not attempt to use a U.S. passport to kidnap a child from the other parent.  We see these extra steps as an effort to protect children, including yours.  Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

What to bring with you

In addition to the requirements for the child's specific passport service, you will be required to submit the following:
Parents' photo identification
Parents accompanying their child to the Embassy must submit their valid U.S. or foreign passports in order to verify their identities. These will be returned at the conclusion of the appointment.

Proof of parentage

• Certified U.S. state birth certificate (either vital statistics or
Department of Health) with parents' names; or
• Certified foreign birth certificate (with parents' names and translation,
if necessary); or
• Consular Report of Birth Abroad (Form FS-240); or
• Certification of Birth Abroad (Form DS-1350); or
• Adoption decree (with adopting parents' names); or
• Court Order establishing custody; or
• Court Order establishing guardianship.

Note: If your name is not the same as your child's last name or the name listed on your proof of parentage, then you must submit documentation that will link your names or link you to the child (such as marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order).

Application by One Parent

If only one parent is able to appear, then please submit one of the following documents in addition to the above requirements:
1) Form DS-3053 (Statement of Consent)  

The Form DS-3053 must be completed by the absent parent in front of a Notary Public or a U.S. consular officer abroad and must bear the notary's seal.
In addition to the Form DS-3053, the absent parent will be required to submit a clear photocopy of one of the following:
• Valid U.S. or foreign passport; or
• Valid driver's license; or
• Valid military ID; or
• Valid U.S. government ID; or
• Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services with photograph; or
• Alien Resident Card from USCIS (Green Card).

OR

2) Evidence of the appearing parent's sole authority to apply for the passport, such as:
• Consular Report of Birth Abroad (Form FS-240) or Certification of Birth
Abroad (Form DS-1350) listing only the applying parent; or
• Child's birth certificate listing only the applying parent; or
• Adoption decree (if applying parent is sole adopting parent); or
• Court order granting sole custody to the applying parent (i.e. the
absent parent has no access to the child. Child's travel must not be
restricted by that order);
• Judicial declaration of incompetence of non-applying parent; or
• Death certificate of non-applying parent.