There are changes to the passport application process for minors under 16. The U.S. State Department has announced a series of significant changes effective October 2025. The goal of the update is to strengthen the security of identity documents and align with international child protection standards. Among these changes is the requirement that the minor must appear in person at an official office, accompanied by their legal guardian.
The DS-11 form is the central document in the process and must be completed, printed, and submitted in hard copy
As with many other government or state procedures, it is essential that the parent or legal guardian appear in person at an authorized office with the original documents and copies. Arriving with complete and organized documents is crucial to avoid missing the appointment or wasting time. Thus, as mentioned above, the process for obtaining a U.S. child passport differs from that for adults and requires the minor to appear in person at an authorized office, accompanied by both parents or guardians. The DS-11 form is the central document in the process and must be completed, printed, and submitted in hard copy. Online or mail-in applications are not permitted for minors under 16 years of age. This is important to keep in mind, as despite the digitization process, this is a procedure that must be completed in person.
Regarding the required documents, all of them can be found on the official website. These include: a certified birth certificate, citizenship certificate, or consular report of birth abroad; proof of parental or guardianship relationship; valid official identification for both adults (driver’s license, U.S. passport, military ID, or Mexican consular registration); and consent from both parents. In cases of guardianship or special custody, court documents will be required, and in exceptional circumstances, additional notarized forms must be completed. In more complex cases, such as the complete absence of both parents or institutional custody, form DS-5525 is used, which requires additional legal documentation.
Prices: $100 application fee and $35 acceptance fee
If one parent cannot be present, it is essential to complete form DS-3053, signed before a notary public and accompanied by a copy of the absent parent’s identification. These measures are intended to prevent fraud, protect the identity of minors, and guarantee the legal bond between children and their guardians. The current fees for these procedures are as follows: passport book: $100 application fee and $35 acceptance fee; passport card: $15 application fee and $35 acceptance fee; simultaneous passport book and card: $115 and $35; expedited processing: an additional $60. Express delivery will cost an additional $22.05.
Legal guardians should be aware that both documents are valid for five years and cannot be renewed
It is important for applicants to note that payments must be made by check or money order payable to the “U.S. Department of State,” indicating the child’s name and date of birth. The Department of State reminds applicants that the passport book is the document required for travel by air, sea, or land to any country. The passport card, on the other hand, has more limited use: it is only valid for land or sea travel from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and Caribbean territories to the United States. Legal guardians should be aware that both documents are valid for five years and cannot be renewed; once the child turns 16, they must apply for a new passport as an adult.
As government agencies report, these new regulations apply to all U.S. minors starting in October 2025, both within and outside the country. In any case, the State Department recommends always consulting the most up-to-date information on its official website before beginning the process, since, for example, in addition to the requirements mentioned above, photographs must be taken with a white background, measure 2×2 inches, without glasses, without shadows, and with a neutral expression. The requirements are explicit and it is essential to comply with them precisely.
