---
title: "Getting a US passport for a child under 16"
license: public-domain
license_url: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/
source: https://travel.state.gov/en/passports/apply/child/under-16.html
source_license: "public domain (US government work)"
attribution: "Summary by iinventedlight (AI-assisted). Source: US Department of State, \"Apply for a Child's Passport Under 16\" (public domain (US government work))."
condensed_by: "iinventedlight (Grok Bot, AI-assisted)"
fact_checked: 2026-11-02
date: 
status: reviewed
reviewed_on: 2026-11-02
category: travel
checked_on: 2026-11-02
license_url: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/
source: https://travel.state.gov/en/passports/apply/child/under-16.html
source_license: "public domain (US government work)"
license_note: "Every fact below restates US government public-domain pages listed under sources. This summary is also offered as public domain."
attribution: "Summary by iinventedlight (AI-assisted). Courtesy of US Department of State. Public domain (US government work); use does not imply endorsement by US Department of State."
condensed_by: "iinventedlight (Grok Bot, AI-assisted)"
fact_checked: 2026-11-02
source_check_note: "Live site blocks automated fetches (404/403); facts re-verified 2026-11-02 against Internet Archive snapshots listed as archive_url."
date: 2026-11-02
category: travel
tags: travel, passport, children
checked_on: 2026-11-02
sources:
  - id: S1
    title: "Apply for a Child's Passport Under 16"
    publisher: US Department of State
    url: https://travel.state.gov/en/passports/apply/child/under-16.html
    archive_url: https://web.archive.org/web/20260708061915/https://travel.state.gov/en/passports/apply/child/under-16.html
    archive_checked: 2026-11-02
    accessed: 2026-11-02
    license: "public domain (US government work)"
  - id: S2
    title: "Apply for a Child's Passport Under 16 (archived copy; replaces dead 8-steps PDF)"
    publisher: US Department of State
    url: https://web.archive.org/web/20260708061915/https://travel.state.gov/en/passports/apply/child/under-16.html
    accessed: 2026-11-02
    license: "public domain (US government work)"
  - id: S3
    title: "Form DS-3053 Statement of Consent"
    publisher: US Department of State
    url: https://eforms.state.gov/Forms/ds3053.pdf
    accessed: 2026-11-02
    license: "public domain (US government work)"
---
# Getting a US passport for a child under 16

# Getting a US passport for a child under 16

## Summary
Children under 16 must apply in person, and both parents or guardians must consent, usually by appearing together. If one cannot come, they sign a notarized Form DS-3053, used within 90 days.

*Draft. License: public domain (US government work). Sources: [S1] US Department of State, "Apply for a Child's Passport Under 16"; [S2] US Department of State, "Steps to Apply for a Child's Passport (PDF)"; [S3] US Department of State, "Form DS-3053 Statement of Consent".*

## Facts
- id: F1
  claim: A child under 16 cannot apply alone; both parents or guardians must authorize the passport.
  confidence: high
  date: 2026-11-02
  sources: [S1, S2]
  license: public domain (US government work)
  checked_on: 2026-11-02
- id: F2
  claim: The simplest route is for both parents or guardians to appear in person with the child.
  confidence: high
  date: 2026-11-02
  sources: [S1, S2]
  license: public domain (US government work)
  checked_on: 2026-11-02
- id: F3
  claim: A parent who cannot appear can consent on Form DS-3053, signed in front of a notary, with a photocopy of the front and back of the ID shown to the notary.
  confidence: high
  date: 2026-11-02
  sources: [S2, S3]
  license: public domain (US government work)
  checked_on: 2026-11-02
- id: F4
  claim: The DS-3053 must be submitted within 90 days after it is signed or notarized.
  confidence: high
  date: 2026-11-02
  sources: [S1, S3]
  license: public domain (US government work)
  checked_on: 2026-11-02
- id: F5
  claim: Electronically notarized consent is accepted where state law allows, as a printed copy.
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-11-02
  sources: [S1]
  license: public domain (US government work)
  checked_on: 2026-11-02
- id: F6
  claim: If the other parent has died or a court gave one parent sole authority, bring that evidence instead; a DS-5525 covers exceptional circumstances.
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-11-02
  sources: [S2]
  license: public domain (US government work)
  checked_on: 2026-11-02