Rush Passport – Passport Blog

10 Easy Steps to Getting a Child Passport Renewal

Child Passport renewal can be confusing.  Rush Passport™, Official US Passport Expeditors Registered with the US Department of State and Foreign Consulates has put forth this guide to getting a child passport renewed.

When it comes to the US Department of State, a minor child is defined as a person who is less than 16 years of age.  Eighteen year olds are treated as adults and are issued adult passports.  (Minors aged 16 or 17 years old adhere to slightly different rules.) 

The rules can get very complicated, so if at anytime you are too confused, just stop reading and immediately call Rush Passport™ (877) 937-7277 (All 50 States) or (212) 643-9305 New York. 

The goal of this article is to make the process of child passport renewal as simple as possible.  To start, the major difference between renewing a child’s passport and renewing an adult’s passport is that the child must appear in front of a passport agent while an adult can renew a passport without being present.  The child applying for the child passport must not only appear in person, but must also appear with both parents.  Both parents must have evidence of parental custody or the child passport application will not be accepted.

Follow these easy steps and your child should receive a passport without a problem.  Make and error and you can kiss your child’s passport goodbye.

Step 1: Get a large envelope or folder ready to collect all of the information that you will need to apply for your child’s passport. 

Step 2: Fill out Form DS-11.  This is the US passport application.  You can either print a blank version or enter the information online and print out the completed child passport application.  You will be required to fill in the child’s name, Social Security number, date of birth, address and parent information.  Do not sign the child passport application!

Step 3: Do not sign the child passport application!  I know that I said that already, but I just want to make sure that you don’t forget…

Step 4: Insert the completed application, proof that you are the child’s parent and the child’s previous US passport that is to be replaced.  The following documents are acceptable as proof as long as they contain both parents’ names: US birth certificate, foreign certified birth certificate, a report of birth abroad, or an adoption decree. If none of these documents are available, then you must produce a court order that states you have custody of your child.

Step 5: Photocopy each parent’s primary identification, such as a valid US driver’s license, U.S. passport, naturalization certificate, current government employee ID or a current military ID.   These documents should be placed inside the passport envelope/folder.  Bring the originals along to show to the passport agent.

Step 6: Get two passport photos of your child. The photos must be less than six months old.  Place the passport photos into the passport envelope/folder.

Step 7: Bring appropriate forms of payment for the passport fees. Acceptable forms of payment vary depending on the passport office, so it is a good idea to confirm the method with a human being before you make the visit.  Write that person’s name on a piece of paper and put that paper inside the passport envelope/folder.  (Remember, don’t sign the child passport application yet.)

Step 9: Together, both parents must bring the child and the passport envelope/folder with all the enclosed documents to Rush Passport™.  In the event that the other parent cannot appear, then that parent must fill out a notarized Form DS-3033, Statement of Consent.  That form must be brought with you..

Step 10: Now it is time to sign Form DS-11 in front of the Passport Agent when instructed, and submit all passport documentation and payments.  As long as you are traveling within 2 weeks, the new child passport will be ready in less than 48 hours.  Depending on the circumstances, passports may be available within 6 hours. 

If you would like to know how to get an first time adult or child US Passport or US Passport Card or if you would like to know about how to renew your US Passport or US Passport Card, visit us at http://www.rushpassport.com or call us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to speak with a Live Passport Agent. (877) 937-7277 (All 50 States) or (212) 643-9305 New York Passport Agency. Rush Passport™ Official US Passport Expeditors, serving Brooklyn, The Bronx, Queens, Staten Island, Manhattan, Westchester County, Nassau County & Suffolk County, Long Island, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Miami, Florida.