Getting a U.S. passport for a baby is mostly paperwork and one appointment. There's no online option and no renewal shortcut: every child under 16 applies in person with Form DS-11, and both parents need to take part. Miss one document and you'll be sent home to come back another day — with the baby.
This checklist walks through the infant passport application in the order you'll need things. Every requirement below comes from the U.S. Department of State's Apply for a Child's Passport Under 16 page and the DS-11 form instructions. We checked both on October 14, 2026. Fees and processing times change, so confirm them on the official page before you go.
Photo vs. application. This guide is about the application. If you need the photo, see how to take a baby passport photo at home, or make a baby passport photo online with checks for lighting, shadows and head size.
The quick checklist
Bring all of this to the appointment:
- Form DS-11, filled out, printed single-sided, not signed
- Proof of U.S. citizenship — usually the original U.S. birth certificate (paper, not digital)
- Photocopy of the citizenship document (front and back if the back has printed information) on 8.5 × 11 in paper, one side only
- Proof of parental relationship — the U.S. birth certificate usually covers this
- Both parents' or guardians' original photo IDs
- Photocopies of the front and back of each ID
- One 2×2 color photo of the baby, not stapled
- Both parents present, or a notarized Form DS-3053 (or other documents) for a parent who can't come
- Two payments: application fee to the U.S. Department of State, acceptance fee to the facility
- The baby — children must appear in person
The sections below explain each item.
Step 1: Fill out Form DS-11 (don't sign it)
Every child under 16 uses Form DS-11. The State Department says plainly: "You cannot renew a child's passport. You must apply in-person each time." Passports for children under 16 are valid for 5 years (Under 16 page).
How to complete it:
- Use the State Department's online Form Filler, or download the PDF from the forms page.
- Print it single-sided. Double-sided forms are not accepted.
- Don't sign it until the passport acceptance agent asks you to.
- Social Security number: the DS-11 asks for the child's SSN if one has been issued. If your baby doesn't have one yet, the instructions say to enter zeros and submit a signed, dated statement using the exact wording printed in the DS-11 instructions (DS-11).
You can apply for a passport book, a passport card, or both. The book is the one for international flights; the DS-11 notes the card is not valid for international air travel, only for land and sea entry from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean.
Step 2: Proof of your baby's U.S. citizenship
You need one of the following (Under 16 page):
- U.S. birth certificate
- Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or another birth document issued by the U.S. Department of State
- Certificate of Citizenship
- A full-validity, undamaged U.S. passport
For a newborn, this is almost always the birth certificate. Two things trip parents up:
- It has to be the right birth certificate. The DS-11 instructions list what a U.S. birth certificate must show, including the child's full name, date and place of birth, the parents' full names, the registrar's signature and the seal of the issuing city, county or state (DS-11). A hospital souvenir certificate doesn't qualify.
- It has to be paper. "We do not accept digital evidence of U.S. citizenship such as a mobile or electronic birth certificate."
Bring the original (or a certified copy with the seal) and a photocopy. The original is mailed back to you separately from the passport, so don't worry if it arrives later.
If your baby was just born, order certified copies of the birth certificate from your state or county vital records office as early as you can. Processing times for those are set by your state, not the State Department.
Step 3: Proof of your relationship to the baby
The State Department needs to see the legal relationship between the child and each parent or guardian. A U.S. birth certificate that lists the parents usually proves both citizenship and relationship.
If you're not using a U.S. birth certificate, bring a document showing who the parents or guardians are, such as a foreign birth certificate, adoption decree, divorce or custody decree, or court order. If your name doesn't match the name on that document, also bring proof of the name change, such as a marriage certificate or name change decree (Under 16 page).
Step 4: Parents' photo IDs and photocopies
Both parents or guardians bring a physical photo ID. The most common is a fully valid driver's license. If your ID is from a different state than the one you're applying in, bring a second photo ID.
You also need:
- A photocopy of the front and back of each parent's ID
- A photocopy of the baby's citizenship evidence
- All photocopies on 8.5 × 11 inch paper, single-sided
Step 5: Both parents — or Form DS-3053
This is the requirement that causes the most second trips. For children under 16, "Both parents or guardians must be present with the child applying in person or give approval before we can issue a passport" (Under 16 page).
If one parent can't come and both parents share custody, the parent who can't come must:
- Sign Form DS-3053 (Statement of Consent) in front of a notary
- Provide a photocopy of the photo ID they showed the notary
Important timing: the DS-3053 and any notarized statements must be submitted within three months of being signed or notarized. Electronic notarization is accepted if your state allows it, but bring a printed copy.
Other situations (Under 16 page):
| Situation | What to bring |
|---|---|
| One parent has sole custody or is the only parent | One of: court order granting sole custody, certified birth certificate or adoption decree listing only you, certified death certificate of the other parent, or a judicial declaration of incompetence |
| You can't locate the other parent | Form DS-5525 (Statement of Special Family Circumstances); more evidence may be requested |
| Neither parent can come (e.g., a grandparent applies) | DS-3053 or notarized statement from both parents, plus photocopies of both parents' IDs |
| A parent is abroad | DS-3053 is still required; in some countries it must be notarized at a U.S. embassy or consulate |
| Other parent deployed with the military | Usually a notarized DS-3053 |
Step 6: One passport photo
A child's application needs one 2×2 inch color photo (DS-11). Don't attach or staple it. The acceptance agent reviews the photo and staples it for you (Under 16 page).
The photo rules are the same as for adults, with a few allowances for babies. The State Department says it's okay if a baby's eyes are not entirely open, and suggests placing the baby on a plain white or off-white sheet, or covering a car seat with one (Passport Photos). No other person can be in the photo, and there should be no shadows on the face.
Our baby passport photo requirements page lists the full rules. If you take the photo at home, create your baby's 2×2 photo and print the 4×6 sheet as a regular photo — see how to print 2×2 photos.
Step 7: Where to apply and what it costs
Where
Bring your baby and everything above to an authorized passport acceptance facility, such as a post office, library or local government office. Check whether the facility needs an appointment. The agent verifies your IDs, gives you an oath, and has you sign the application.
If you're traveling internationally in less than 3 weeks, the State Department says to make an appointment at a passport agency or center once you're within 14 days of travel.
Fees (checked October 14, 2026)
You pay two separate fees (Under 16 page):
| Child under 16 | Application fee (to U.S. Department of State) | Acceptance fee (to the facility) |
|---|---|---|
| Passport book | $100 | $35 |
| Passport card | $15 | $35 |
| Book and card | $115 | $35 |
- Pay the application fee by check or money order payable to "U.S. Department of State," with the child's name and date of birth in the memo.
- Pay the $35 acceptance fee to the facility in whatever form it accepts — ask ahead.
- Expedited service: add $60 to the application fee.
- 1–3 day return delivery after the passport is mailed: add $26.87.
Passport fees are non-refundable by law (DS-11). Check the official page for current amounts before you write the check.
How long does a baby passport take?
As of October 14, 2026, the State Department lists (Under 16 page):
- Routine: 4–6 weeks
- Expedited: 2–3 weeks (extra $60)
Those times don't include mailing. The State Department says it may take up to 2 weeks for the application to reach them and about 2 more weeks for the passport to arrive by mail. Plan around the total, not just the processing time.
You'll get status emails, and you can check status at passportstatus.state.gov. The birth certificate comes back in a separate mailing, which can arrive weeks after the passport.
Common mistakes that cause a second trip
- Signing the DS-11 at home
- Printing the form double-sided
- Bringing a digital or souvenir birth certificate
- Forgetting photocopies, or copying only the front of an ID
- One parent missing with no notarized DS-3053, or a DS-3053 older than three months
- Stapling the photo to the form
- A photo with shadows, a wrinkled background or a head that's too small — see accepted and rejected examples
FAQ
What documents do I need for a newborn passport?
Form DS-11 (unsigned), the baby's original U.S. birth certificate plus a photocopy, both parents' photo IDs plus front-and-back photocopies, one 2×2 photo, and the fees. If a parent can't attend, a notarized DS-3053 from that parent.
Do both parents have to be there for a baby passport?
Yes, for children under 16 both parents or guardians must appear in person or give approval. A parent who can't come can sign a notarized Form DS-3053, submitted within three months of notarization. Sole-custody documents replace the second parent's consent.
Can I apply for my baby's passport online?
No. Children under 16 must apply in person with Form DS-11 every time, and you can't renew a child's passport.
How much does a baby passport cost?
As of October 14, 2026: $100 application fee plus a $35 acceptance fee for a passport book. Expedited service adds $60. Check the State Department's page for current fees.
Do I get my baby's birth certificate back?
Yes. Original documents that aren't damaged, altered or forged are mailed back separately from the passport. Photocopies are not returned.
