Passports
Passports for Minors
Effective February 1, 2008, U.S. law requires that both parents of a child under age 16 personally appear with the child when requesting a passport. In the event that one parent cannot appear, a notarized Statement of Consent must be signed and submitted with the passport application. A foreign language Consent Form may be submitted but it must include an English translation. See below for other circumstances in which one-parent signatures are acceptable.
For an initial passport for a child born in Russia, please see our section on Registering the Birth of a U.S. Citizen Abroad.
For renewing or replacing the passport of a minor under age 16, the parent(s) must submit:
- Application Form DS-11
- The child's original birth certificate,
- Photo identification of the parents,
- The child's previous passport,
- A Statement of Consent if only one parent is present,
- Passport photos,
- Fees.
For minors aged 16 and 17, at least one parent must be present.
The DS-11 application must be signed in the presence of a consular officer, and the child must be present. In addition, minors aged 14-17 will be asked to sign their own application. Applicants over the age of 16 who have never had a 10-year passport are considered first-time adult applicants, and will be issued a passport valid for ten years for a fee of $100.00.
One-parent signatures are acceptable when submitting the following primary evidence of sole authority to apply:
- Child's certified U.S. or foreign birth certificate listing only applying parent;
- Consular Report of Birth Abroad (Form FS-240) listing only applying parent;
- Court order granting sole custody to applying parent (unless child's travel is restricted by order);
- Adoption decree (if applying parents is sole adoptive parent);
- Court order specifically permitting applying parent's or guardian's travel with the child;
- Judicial declaration of incompetence of non-applying parent;
- Death certificate of non-applying parent.
Appointment System for American Citizen Services
The American Citizen Services (ACS) Unit has introduced an Appointment System for all services, including passport renewals (and passport extra pages), birth registrations, notarial services, and general inquiries. Please make your appointment before you visit the Consular Section.
Appointments are available immediately; beginning September 1, 2009, only customers with appointments will be admitted into the Consular Section. Appointments may be made at any time via the link below, or by calling the ACS Unit at 7 (495) 728-5577. Appointments are available Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 12:30. For details, or to make an appointment, please follow this link: Make an Appointment Now!