How to Book and Prepare for Your Child's U.S. Passport Renewal Appointment

Where to book a passport renewal appointment for a minor

You book a minor's passport renewal appointment through the same system as an adult's: the State Department's online appointment scheduler at travel.state.gov. The process is identical whether you're renewing for yourself or your child — you select a passport acceptance facility near you, choose an available time slot, and receive a confirmation number by email.

The key difference is what happens when you arrive. A parent or legal guardian must be present with the minor at the appointment. The State Department does not allow minors to renew passports alone, and the facility staff will turn you away if the child arrives without a parent or guardian who can sign the application.

If you cannot find an appointment in your area within a reasonable timeframe, you can call the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778 to ask about cancellations or to request an expedited appointment for travel within two weeks. Phone lines are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern time.

Key Takeaways

• Book your child's passport renewal appointment online at travel.state.gov using the same scheduler you would use for yourself.
• A parent or legal guardian must attend the appointment in person with the minor; the child cannot renew a passport alone.
• You will need the child's current passport, a new photo, a completed application form, and proof of citizenship or identity depending on the child's age.
• Minors under 16 typically renew passports by mail if the passport is not damaged and was issued when they were under 16, which is faster and cheaper than an in-person appointment.
• If your child's passport was issued at age 16 or older, or if it is damaged or lost, an in-person appointment is required.

When your child needs an in-person appointment versus mail renewal

Not every minor passport renewal requires an appointment. The State Department allows minors under 16 to renew by mail if three conditions are met: the passport is not damaged, it was issued when the child was under 16, and a parent or guardian signs the application. This mail route is significantly cheaper (around $130 versus $165 for in-person) and faster in some cases, so check whether your child qualifies before booking an appointment.

An in-person appointment is required if your child's passport was issued when they were 16 or older, even if they are still a minor now. It is also required if the passport is damaged, lost, or stolen, or if the child's name has changed since the passport was issued. If you are unsure whether your child's situation qualifies for mail renewal, call the National Passport Information Center before scheduling.

If mail renewal is an option, you can request the application form (Form DS-11 or DS-82, depending on your situation) from the State Department website or pick one up at a passport acceptance facility. Mailing the completed form, current passport, new photo, and payment to the address on the form typically takes four to six weeks, though processing times vary by season.

Documents and photos you must bring to the appointment

Bring the child's current passport to the appointment. If it is lost or stolen, bring a police report instead. You will also need a new passport photo — 2 by 2 inches, taken within the last six months, with the child's face taking up 50 to 69 percent of the frame. The photo must have a plain white or off-white background and show the child looking directly at the camera with a neutral expression. Many CVS, Walgreens, and post offices offer passport photos for around $15.

Bring proof of citizenship for the child. This can be a birth certificate (certified copy, not a photocopy), a naturalization certificate, or a consular report of birth abroad. You will also need to show your own photo ID — a driver's license, state ID, or passport — to prove you are the parent or guardian.

The child does not need to bring a separate ID. The State Department accepts the parent's ID as proof of the guardian's identity. If you are not the biological parent but are the legal guardian, bring documentation of guardianship, such as a court order or custody agreement.

What to expect during the appointment

The appointment typically lasts 15 to 30 minutes. A staff member will review the child's current passport and the new photo, verify your identity using your photo ID, and have you sign the application form in front of them. The child does not sign the application — the parent or guardian does. The staff member will collect payment (usually by card or check) and give you a receipt with a tracking number.

The child will not have their fingerprints taken or undergo any special screening. The process is straightforward: verify documents, sign, pay, and leave. The facility staff will tell you when the new passport will be ready — typically two to three weeks for routine processing, though this varies by location and season.

Bring the receipt with you when you return to pick up the passport. Some facilities mail the passport to your home address instead; ask at the appointment which option applies to your location. If the facility mails it, you do not need to return in person.

How to fill out the application form before you arrive

Download Form DS-11 from travel.state.gov before your appointment and fill it out at home. This form is for in-person renewal and is shorter than the form used for new passports. You can print it and fill it by hand, or fill it on your computer and print it — either is acceptable. Do not sign the form before the appointment; the staff member must watch you sign it.

The form asks for the child's full name, date of birth, place of birth, and your relationship to the child. It also asks whether the passport is being renewed due to damage or loss. If you are unsure how to answer any question, leave it blank and ask the staff member at the appointment — they can help you fill it in correctly.

Bring the completed form with you to the appointment, along with all required documents. Having the form filled out in advance speeds up the process and reduces the chance of errors that could delay the new passport.

Cost and payment methods at the appointment

A passport renewal for a minor under 16 costs $130 for the passport book itself, plus a $35 execution fee paid to the acceptance facility, for a total of $165. If your child's passport was issued at age 16 or older, the cost is $130 for the book plus $35 execution fee. These prices are set by the State Department and do not vary by location.

You can pay by check, money order, or card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover) at most facilities. Some facilities accept cash, but not all — call ahead to confirm. Make checks or money orders payable to the "U.S. Department of State." If you pay by card, the facility may charge a small processing fee on top of the passport fee.

If you need the passport faster than the standard two to three weeks, you can request expedited processing for an additional $60. Expedited processing typically takes one week. This request is made at the appointment, not when you book.

What to do if you cannot attend the appointment

If you need to cancel or reschedule, log back into travel.state.gov using your confirmation number and change the appointment time. You can reschedule up to 24 hours before the appointment without penalty. If you cancel within 24 hours or miss the appointment without canceling, you lose the appointment fee (usually $0, but some facilities charge a small booking fee).

If a parent or guardian other than the one who booked the appointment will attend, you can change this in the online system before the appointment. The State Department requires that the person who attends be able to sign the application, so make sure whoever comes has a valid photo ID.

If you miss the appointment and need to reschedule, you can book a new slot immediately through travel.state.gov. There is no waiting period or penalty beyond losing the original appointment slot.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my child's other parent sign the application if I cannot attend?

Yes, if you are both legal parents or guardians. Either parent can attend and sign the application. If one parent has sole custody or guardianship, only that parent can sign. Bring the custody or guardianship document to prove it if the other parent's name is on the child's birth certificate.

What if my child's passport was damaged in a way that makes the photo unrecognizable?

Bring the damaged passport to the appointment anyway. The staff member will assess whether it qualifies as damaged enough to require renewal. If it does, you will need a new photo. If it does not, you may be asked to use the old photo instead, which would require mailing the application.

Do I need to bring my child's birth certificate if I have their current passport?

Yes. Even though the child has a passport, the State Department requires proof of citizenship at renewal. A certified birth certificate is the most common form of proof. A photocopy is not acceptable — bring the original or a certified copy from the vital records office.

How long does it take to get the renewed passport after the appointment?

Standard processing takes two to three weeks from the date of your appointment. Expedited processing takes about one week and costs an extra $60. The facility will tell you at the appointment which timeline applies and whether the passport will be mailed to you or held for pickup.

What if my child's name has changed since the passport was issued?

You cannot renew by mail if the name has changed. You must attend an in-person appointment and bring documentation of the name change, such as a court order, adoption decree, or marriage certificate. The staff member will review this at the appointment and process the renewal with the new name.