Passport for Kids, 15 Years Old or Younger: A Parent's Complete Guide

Applying for a passport for your child might seem overwhelming—especially if it’s your first time navigating the process. Between collecting documents, understanding the rules, and scheduling an appointment, it’s easy to feel unsure about what’s required or how to get started. But with a little preparation and the right information, it’s entirely manageable.

This guide is built specifically for parents and guardians applying for a passport for kids under age 16. We’ll break down every step clearly and help you avoid the common delays and confusion. Whether your child is preparing for their first international trip or you’re renewing a passport that’s about to expire, you’ll find everything you need here—including important details about documents, costs, timelines, and more.

Let’s get started by understanding why getting a passport for your child is a bit different than getting one for yourself.

Why getting a passport for your child is different.

Applying for a passport for kids under 16 involves more steps—and more safeguards—than applying for an adult passport. That’s because U.S. law has specific requirements to help prevent child abduction and protect minors during international travel.

Unlike adult applicants, children must apply in person and be accompanied by both parents or legal guardians. This rule ensures that both parents consent to the child’s international travel. In cases where only one parent can attend, additional documentation—like a notarized consent form or proof of sole custody—is required.

There are also stricter documentation standards. Parents must show proof of their relationship to the child, valid identification, and official evidence of the child’s U.S. citizenship. These additional checks may seem time-consuming, but they exist to protect children and ensure all travel is authorized.

Finally, children’s passports are valid for only five years (compared to ten years for adults), meaning families need to plan for renewals more frequently. If your child is approaching their fifth birthday with an upcoming trip on the horizon, it’s wise to check their passport expiration date now.

Who needs a child passport and when to apply.

In the eyes of U.S. passport law, any individual under the age of 16 is considered a minor and must follow the child passport application process. This applies whether your child is a newborn or a teenager up to their 16th birthday. Even if your child has previously held a passport, they cannot renew it by mail—children’s passports must be applied for in person, every time.

This process is mandatory for all international travel for kids, regardless of the destination. That includes air, land, and sea travel—even if you're just taking a cruise that docks in another country. If your child is a dual citizen or was born abroad to U.S. citizen parents, a children’s travel document may also be required from another country, but a U.S. passport is still essential for re-entry into the United States.

Parents should apply as early as possible to avoid travel disruptions, especially during busy travel seasons or if expedited processing might be needed. Some embassies, visa offices, or border crossings also require that a passport be valid for six months beyond the return date, making advance planning even more important.

When to start the application process.

It’s recommended to apply for your child’s passport at least 3–4 months before any planned travel. Standard passport processing can take 6–8 weeks, and that doesn’t include mailing time. If you opt for expedited service, processing may take about 2–3 weeks—but appointments, document collection, and scheduling still require time.

Unexpected delays can happen, especially if any required documents are missing or incomplete. Starting early helps ensure you have time to resolve issues without added stress.

Passport requirements for teens (16–17 years old).

Teenagers aged 16 or 17 fall into a transitional category. While they’re not considered full adults under passport law, they don’t follow the exact same rules as younger children. Teens must apply in person using the same DS-11 form, but typically only one parent or guardian needs to be present to provide consent.

They must show they have their own identification—such as a driver’s license or learner’s permit—and parental awareness of the application is still required. If the teen doesn’t have ID, a parent’s identification and co-signed statement may be needed. Like adult passports, teen passports are valid for 10 years.

Required documents for a child passport application.

To get a passport for kids under 16, parents must provide a specific set of documents that prove the child’s identity, U.S. citizenship, and legal relationship to the parents or guardians. Gathering these documents in advance is one of the most important steps in the application process. Incomplete or incorrect paperwork is one of the top reasons for delays.

Here’s what you’ll need:

Proof of U.S. citizenship.

To prove your child is a U.S. citizen, you must submit one of the following original documents (not photocopies):

We provide specialized passport services for minors under 18, including those with expired or lost passports. As a reminder, for children aged 15 years or younger, specific travel requirements must be met, and a U.S. child’s passport is essential for international travel. Once issued, a U.S. child’s passport is valid for up to five years.

How to Get a Child’s passport:

1. Select the speed of service and submit your request for a Child’s passport above.

   CIBTvisas will provide you with a list of documents needed for your passport order, processing fees for your requested service, and the next steps required to start your passport order with CIBTvisas.

2. Start your order.

   Select Start Order on the following page to complete CIBTvisas’ fast online passport order form.

3. Download your forms and requirements.

   CIBTvisas’s Application Kit provides you with a summary of the Lost or Stolen Passport Replacement service, important information, a list of the personal documents you need to provide, step-by-step instructions for completing your passport order, as well as the required application forms you need to fill out.

4. Send your personal documents and completed forms to CIBTvisas.

   Once you have completed all the steps outlined in your passport application kit, you need to submit the required personal documents to your CIBTvisas location listed in the CIBTvisas Application Kit. We will begin processing your passport order as soon as we receive it. CIBTvisas will email you a summary of your passport order and will contact you if additional information is required.