Passport for Child • U.S. Consular Services in Canada

Additional Instructions for children under age 16

You must bring your child's application to this office, or to a passport acceptance agent in the U.S., with the supporting documents. Your child must be present in the office at the time of the application.

In addition to the documents requested on the first time passport application, bring the following items with the child's application:

Proof of child's parentage/legal guardianship
Proof of parent(s) identity
If only one parent is present, the applying parent should submit a notarized statement signed by the non-applying parent, consenting to the passport issuance to the minor and a photocopy of the non-applying parent's identity document

As Directed by Public Law 106-119, the consent of both parents is required:

If both parents/legal guardians are present at the time of the passport application:

Both parents must sign the passport application and provide proof of parentage/legal guardianship and proof of identity. Evidence of parentage may consist of the child's birth certificate listing names of both parents, Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Report of Birth or adoption decree listing the names of the parents, etc.

If one parent is present at the time of the passport application:

If only one parent is present, the applying parent/legal guardian should sign the application and present proof of parentage. The applying parent must also submit a notarized statement from the non-applying parent consenting to the passport issuance to the minor and a photocopy of the non-applying parent's identity document. The statement may be typed or handwritten.

If one parent has sole custody/guardianship of the minor the following evidence may be submitted:

Birth certificate or Consular Report of Birth Abroad listing the applying parent, as the only parent.
Adoption/guardianship decrees naming only the applying parent/guardian with no provision limiting the minor's travel.
Court order granting sole custody to the applying parent/guardian with no provision limiting the minor's travel.
A court order specifically authorizing passport issuance to the minor regardless of custody or travel to a place where a U.S. passport is required.
Court order declaring the non-applying parent or guardian incompetent.
Death certificate of a non-applying parent.

If no documentary evidence of custody/guardianship/court order etc. is available, other documentary evidence that supports the applying parents claim of custody may be considered. If no other evidence is available, the applying parent may submit a written statement under penalty of perjury setting out the circumstances that prevent the submission of documentary evidence.

More Information

The information above is specifically about children's passports. Please also refer to the page linked below which provides general information about the application for a first-time passport.

Form DS-11