First Time Passport for Children
A minor is eligible for a first time US passport if:
- The minor never had a passport;
- The minor is under 16 years old;
1. Passports issued to minor children(under 16) are valid for only 5 YEARS and are NOT renewable.
2. To process a passport application for a minor under age 16 BOTH parents must appear together and sign or (See #9 - DOCUMENTS List below). - The minor is 16-18 years old;
1. Passports issued to minor children 16-18 years of age are valid for 10 YEARS and are RENEWABLE.
2. To process a passport application for a minor age 16-18 years old only ONE parent must appear with the minor and sign. - The minor's passport is expired.
NOTE: ALL MINOR CHILDREN APPLYING FOR A PASSPORT MUST APPEAR IN PERSON.
For us to process your passport properly and on time you MUST send International Passport and Visa Service Request Form.
NOTE: INCORRECT OR MISSING INFORMATION MAY RESULT IN REJECTION OF APPLICATION OR SIGNIFICANT DELAY.
MAIN STEP: Execution of the US Passport Application.
Please take documents (from the DOCUMENTS list below) to US Passport Acceptance Facility near you http://www.iafdb.travel.state.gov Ask the clerk at the Passport Acceptance Facility to execute the passport application. Then the clerk places the following documents in a sealed envelope addressed to U.S. Passport Agency and return it to you (You must not open or tamper with this envelope). There is a $25.00 fee for the execution of the application.
Send us the sealed envelope ASAP (It is time sensitive) and place the copies (application, authorization & Travel It.) and International Passport & Visa Service Request Form outside the sealed envelope.
PLEASE NOTE: There will be a Significant Delay if you don’t send us the above copies because the sealed envelope can be opened ONLY by government passport authorities and not us. AND we won’t be able to process your passport application if we don’t have your information. Once the envelope is sealed it must be in our office within four calendar days, and submitted to the Government on the fifth day; applications will be rejected if not submitted within five calendar days from sealed date.
Please make sure to make a COPY of the APPLICATION, AUTHORIZATION & TRAVEL ITINERARY for us before going to the Passport Acceptance Facility.
1 - International Passport & Visa Authorization Letter International Passport & Visa Authorization Letter, completed and signed by one parent/guardian.
2 - U.S. Passport Application Form DS-11, create your DS-11 by going through the online process at the Department of State website.Do not sign this form until you [parents/minor’s legal guardian(s) with the minor] appear before the authorized acceptance agent who must witness your signature(s).
- Tips to Complete the Online Application Form DS-11
Please Note:
1. If the Social Security Administration has issued the applicant a Social Security Number, you MUST provide this number on the application.
2. Application is not compatible with Safari web browser.
3 - The Minor's Proof of US Citizenship
- If born in USA, original/certified copy of the birth certificate issued by the county or state health department or bureau of vital statistics OR a previous US passport.
To order the birth certificate, GO to http://www.vitalchek.com. - If born outside USA, Certificate of Citizenship, Certificate of Naturalization, Consular Report of Birth Abroad OR a previous US passport.
4 - Parents' Proof of Identity
- Valid driver license
- Photo ID (Issued by DMV)
- Government (Federal, State, municipal) employee ID card or pass
6 - Most Recent US Passport (If a passport has been issued to the minor before) For minors under 16 since both parents must be present at the time of the execution of the application, the birth certificate MUST also be SUBMITTED in addition to the passport because a passport can not be used as evidence of the minor's relationship to parents.
7 - Evidence of Child's Relationship to Parents/Guardians (Applies ONLY to minors under 16 even if they have an old expired passport)
NOTE: Previous U.S. passports are not acceptable as proof of relationship to the applying parent(s)/guardian(s) for minor under 16 when both parents must appear together with the minor to sign. You will need to submit one of the following:
- Certified U.S. birth certificate (with parents' names); or
- Certified Foreign Birth Certificate (with parents' names and translation, if necessary); or
- Report of Birth Abroad (Form FS-240) (with parents' names); or
- Certification of Birth Abroad ( Form DS-1350) (with parents' names); or
- Adoption Decree ( with adopting parents' names); or
- Court Order Establishing Custody; or
- Court Order Establishing Guardianship.
NOTE: If the parent(s)'/guardian's name(s) is/are other than that on these documents, evidence of legal name change is required.
8 - Proof of Travel Copy of your travel itinerary OR a business letter on your company's letter confirming parent(s) or guardian overseas trip in the next 12-15 days and minor is also traveling.You have to provide proof of travel document confirming parent(s)/guardian(s) trip overseas in the next 2 weeks (if no visa is required for the trip) and in the next 4 weeks (if you need a visa for the country of your destination is needed).
9 - Parental Application Permission Documentation
Both parents must appear together and sign ONLY if the minor is under 16 years old OR
- One parent appears, signs, and submits second parent's notarized statement of consent authorizing passport issuance for the child (a notarized Form DS-3053, Statement of Consent: Issuance of a Passport to a Minor Under Age 16 , or a notarized written statement with the same information on a sheet of paper from the non-appearing parent) or
- One parents appears, signs, and submits primary evidence of sole authority to apply (such as one of the following):
- Child's certified U.S. or foreign birth certificate (with translation, if necessary) listing only applying parent; or
- Consular Report of Birth Abroad (Form FS-240) or Certification of Birth Abroad (Form DS-1350) listing only applying parent; or
- Court order granting sole custody to the applying parent (unless child's travel is restricted by that order); or
- Adoption decree (if applying parents is sole adopting parent); or
- Court order specifically permitting applying parent's or guardian's travel with the child; or
- Judicial declaration of incompetence of non-applying parent; or
- Death certificate of non-applying parent.
If none of the above documentation is available, the applying parent/guardian should submit a Form DS-3053: Statement of Consent: Issuance of a Passport to a Minor Under Age 16. It must be less than 3 months old.
NOTE: A third-party in loco parent is applying on behalf of a minor under the age of 16 must submit a notarized written statement or affidavit from both parents or guardians authorizing a third-party to apply for a passport. When the statement or affidavit is from only one parent/guardian, the third-party must present evidence of sole custody of the authorizing parent/guardian.
10 - Government Fees Two checks or money orders. (Please write the minor's full name and date of birth on both checks)- Passport Application Fee - Payable to the U.S. Department of State in the amount of $140.00(Under 16) and $170.00(16-18 Years Old.
- Execution Fee - Payable to the authorized acceptance agent in the amount of $25.
1 - Government Fee $165.00 ($140.00 + $25) - Under 16$195.00 ($170.00 + $25.00) - 16-18 Years Old
2 - International Passport & Visa Service Fees $150.00 - Five (5) Working Days$185.00 - Forty Eight (48) Hours
$260.00 - Next Day
$325.00 - Same Day
We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express credit cards, checks (only CA checks) and money orders.
Please Note: The processing of passport applications start the day after you or your documents are at our office.
3 - Shipping Charges (if applicable) FedEx Charges (USA Only) $20.00 - FedEx (2nd Business Day)
$25.00 - FedEx (Priority Overnight)
$60.00 - FedEx (First Overnight)
$45.00 - FedEx (Saturday Delivery)
$55.00 - Alaska & Hawaii (Priority Overnight Only)
Please send the sealed envelope & copies to:
International Passport & Visa, Inc.
204 S Beverly Drive, Suite 115
Beverly Hills CA 90212
Tel: (310) 274-2020
Fax: (310) 274-4581
