Getting a child’s passport application right the first time comes down to having every document ready before your appointment. Here’s the full list, organized by who needs to provide what.
Documents That Prove the Child’s Identity and Citizenship
- Certified birth certificate. This is the core document establishing citizenship — it must be a certified copy from the state or local vital records office, not a hospital souvenir certificate.
- Consular Report of Birth Abroad, if applicable, for children born outside the U.S. to American citizen parents.
- Previous passport, if this is a renewal rather than a first-time application (though remember, child passports can never be renewed by mail).
Documents That Prove Parental Identity and Consent
- Valid photo ID for both parents — typically a driver’s license, state ID, or other government-issued identification.
- Notarized consent (Form DS-3053), required from any parent who cannot appear in person at the appointment, along with a photocopy of that parent’s ID.
- Additional documentation (Form DS-5525), needed in specific situations where a parent can’t be located, has sole legal custody, or the other parent’s consent can’t reasonably be obtained.
- Proof of relationship to the child, sometimes required if a parent’s last name differs from the child’s, or if the applicant is a legal guardian rather than a biological parent.
The Application Itself
- Form DS-11, the standard passport application used for all first-time applicants, including infants and children. It can be completed in advance, but must be signed in person in front of an acceptance agent — never sign it beforehand.
The Photo
- A compliant passport photo, taken within the last 6 months, meeting current size and background requirements. For infants specifically, this means the child alone in frame — no parent’s supporting hand, no pacifier, toy, or car seat visible anywhere in the shot.
Payment
- Application and execution fees, generally around $135 total for a standard child passport book ($100 application fee plus a $35 execution fee).
- Optional expedite fee (+$60) and faster delivery fee (roughly +$22), if you need the passport sooner than the standard 6–8 week timeline.
A Note on What You Don’t Need
- A separate “infant” application form. Newborns and infants use the same Form DS-11 as any other child under 16 — there’s no special version for very young applicants.
- Immunization records, unless a specific destination country requests them separately — this isn’t part of the passport application itself.
- A Social Security number is not strictly required, though including one, if your child has been assigned one, can help prevent processing delays.
Putting It All Together Before Your Appointment
A useful way to think about the documents is in four groups: proof of the child’s citizenship, proof of parental identity and consent, the application itself, and the photo. Missing any one of these categories is the most common reason child passport appointments get delayed or require a follow-up visit.
For a complete walkthrough of the requirements and process for infants specifically, this guide on infant passports is worth reading in full before you schedule your appointment.
Quick Pre-Appointment Checklist
- Certified birth certificate
- Both parents’ valid photo ID (or notarized DS-3053 from the absent parent)
- Completed but unsigned Form DS-11
- Compliant passport photo
- Payment ready for all applicable fees
Bottom Line
A child’s passport application requires documents in four categories: citizenship proof, parental identity and consent, the DS-11 application itself, and a compliant photo. Gathering all four categories before your appointment — rather than discovering a gap once you’re there — is what keeps the process moving on the first visit.
