How to Apply for a Minor’s passport renewal!

For international travel, every American citizen, including infants, requires a passport. The procedure for renewal of passport for children under the age of 16 is similar to that for adults. passportsandvisas.com provides a helpful step-by-step guide.

Fill out Form DS-11:

Obtain a duplicate of the child’s birth certificate: Use an original or certified copy from your state’s vital records office, not a commemorative copy issued by some hospitals.

Take a picture:

Yes, even new-born babies require a photograph; the good news is that you’re probably already taking a lot of baby pictures. However, there are a few things to keep in mind. For starters, no one else can be in the photo, not even Mom or Dad’s hand, which can make things difficult. To provide head support, place the child on his or her back and cover him or her with a white blanket or sheet. Plan B is to place your new-born in a car seat that has been covered with a white sheet. 

Visiting an approved passport office:

When visiting an authorised passport office, remember to bring your photo and birth certificate. Seriously, double-check everything before leaving the house! Both parents must be present to establish parental consent. If a person is unable to attend, he or she must complete a notarized copy of Form DS-3053, a statement of consent. In addition, if a parent has sole custody of the child applying for custody, he or she should bring a court order or any other necessary paperwork. Finally, a parent may sign a child’s passport if he or she is unable to sign his or her own name. (Parents or guardians should print the child’s name first, then sign their own names and indicate their relationship.) 

Another thing to keep in mind: if a parent expressly forbids a 16- or 17-year-old child from receiving a passport and expresses this in writing, the renewal of the passport will most likely be impossible.

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