Getting a Passport Appointment for Your Child

What you need to know before booking

A minor's passport appointment works differently from an adult's. Both parents or guardians must appear in person with the child, a requirement the State Department enforces at every appointment. You cannot send one parent alone, and you cannot apply by mail for a first-time passport for anyone under 16. This means you are scheduling an appointment for three people, not one, and all three must be present when you arrive.

The appointment itself takes 20 to 30 minutes. The acceptance agent will verify documents, take the child's photo at the facility, and collect payment. You will not receive the passport that day — it will arrive by mail in 4 to 6 weeks for routine service, or 2 to 3 weeks if you pay extra for expedited service.

Book your appointment through the State Department's official scheduling system at passports.state.gov. You select a passport acceptance facility near you, choose an available date and time, and receive a confirmation number. Bring that confirmation number, along with the documents listed below, when you arrive.

Key Takeaways

• Both parents or guardians must attend the appointment in person with the child; one parent cannot go alone.
• You need the child's birth certificate, proof of citizenship, photo ID for each parent, and proof of the parent-child relationship.
• The child's photo is taken at the facility, so do not bring a printed photo unless the child has a medical condition that prevents a standard photo.
• Book through passports.state.gov, not through a third-party site, to avoid fees and delays.
• Routine service takes 4 to 6 weeks; expedited service costs extra and takes 2 to 3 weeks.

Documents both parents must bring

Each parent or guardian needs a valid photo ID — a driver's license, state ID card, passport, or military ID. The ID must not be expired. If a parent's ID is expired, the appointment will be rescheduled, so check expiration dates before you go.

You will also need to prove the parent-child relationship. A birth certificate that lists both parents works. If only one parent is listed, bring that birth certificate plus a court order showing custody or guardianship, or a marriage certificate if the parents are married and the child took one parent's last name. If you are a stepparent or adoptive parent, bring the adoption decree or stepparent guardianship order.

One parent should bring the original birth certificate or a certified copy — not a photocopy from home. The acceptance agent will examine it and return it to you. If you do not have a certified copy, you can order one from the vital records office in the state or county where the child was born, usually within 1 to 2 weeks.

Documents the child needs

The child needs proof of U.S. citizenship. For most children born in the United States, the birth certificate serves this purpose. If the child was born abroad to a U.S. citizen parent, bring the Consular Report of Birth Abroad (Form FS-240) or a Certificate of Naturalization. If the child was born abroad and you do not have one of these documents, contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate before booking the appointment.

The child does not need to bring a photo ID. The acceptance agent will take a digital photo at the facility. The photo must show the child's face clearly, against a plain white or off-white background, with a neutral expression and both eyes open. If the child cannot sit still for a photo due to age or a medical condition, tell the appointment scheduler when you book, and bring a recent color photo (4 by 6 inches, taken within the last 6 months) as a backup.

When one parent cannot attend

If one parent is deceased, absent, or has had parental rights terminated, the attending parent must bring court documents proving this — a death certificate, a custody order, or a termination of parental rights order. The State Department will not issue a passport without proof that the absent parent's consent is not required.

If one parent is out of the country or unable to attend for another reason, you cannot proceed with the appointment. You must reschedule when both parents can be present, or obtain a notarized statement from the absent parent authorizing the other parent to apply. That statement must be on a form provided by the State Department; contact the passport acceptance facility or call the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778 to request it.

What to expect during the appointment

Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early. The acceptance agent will ask you to verify information and sign forms in front of the child. You will pay the passport fee — currently $130 for a passport book for a child under 16, plus a $35 execution fee, for a total of $165. Expedited service adds $60. Payment is by check, money order, or card, depending on the facility.

The agent will take the child's photo, scan documents, and collect the application. You will receive a receipt with a tracking number. Keep this receipt; you can use the tracking number to check the status of the passport online at passports.state.gov.

The child's passport will be valid for 5 years. When it expires, you can renew it by mail if the child is 16 or older, but a first passport for a minor always requires an in-person appointment.

Choosing between routine and expedited service

Routine service takes 4 to 6 weeks from the day you submit your application. Expedited service takes 2 to 3 weeks and costs an additional $60. Neither timeline includes mailing time, so add a few days on each end if the passport is being mailed to an address other than where you live.

If you need the passport faster than expedited service provides, you can request an emergency appointment at a passport agency (not an acceptance facility). Emergency appointments are for travel within 72 hours and require proof of imminent travel — a plane ticket or cruise confirmation. Call 1-877-487-2778 to request an emergency appointment; you cannot book one online.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I book the appointment online if I do not have a Social Security number for my child?

Yes. The Social Security number is optional on the application. If you have it, enter it; if you do not, leave it blank and proceed. The passport will still be issued.

What if my child is afraid of the photo or has sensory issues?

Tell the appointment scheduler when you book. Bring a recent color photo as a backup, and the agent will use it if the child cannot cooperate for a new photo. The photo must be 4 by 6 inches, taken within the last 6 months, and show the child's face clearly against a plain background.

Do I need to bring the child's Social Security card or birth certificate original to the appointment?

You need the original birth certificate or a certified copy — the agent will examine it and return it. You do not need the Social Security card. Do not bring the original if you have a certified copy; certified copies are safer to carry and serve the same purpose.

What happens if I book an appointment but cannot make it?

Cancel or reschedule through passports.state.gov using your confirmation number. If you miss the appointment without canceling, you may lose your appointment slot and have to book again, which could delay the passport by weeks.

Can I renew my child's passport by mail when it expires?

Not until the child is 16. Passports for children under 16 must be renewed in person at an acceptance facility. When your child turns 16, you can renew by mail if the passport is undamaged and was issued when the child was 15 or older.