Passport for 16 & 17 Year Olds

The requirements to get a passport for a 16-year-old or a 17-year-old are identical to those needed to get a passort for an adult but with a few additional considerations.

Minors ages 16-17 with their own identification can apply for a passport by themselves. However, Passport Services does recommend that at least one parent appear in person with the minor to identify him/her and to show parental awareness. Parental awareness can be shown by having a parent accompany the minor when applying or a signed statement consenting to issuance of a passport from at least one parent. The latter should be accompanied by a photocopy of that parent's ID.

A passport generally will not be issued to a minor if a parent or legal guardian who has custodial rights over the minor has provided written notification that he or she objects to issuance of the passport.

Be aware that some Application Agents will allow a minor age 16 or 17 to submit the application without the presence of a parent while others will not. We recommend you contact the passport office where the application will be submitted and confirm requirements with the passport application acceptance agent.

If your child is age 15 or younger, visit the child passport requirements page or access a list of FAQ about applying for a passport for a minor age 15 or younger. You can also find answers to questions about passports for 16 & 17 year olds below.

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List of FAQ about Passports for Minors Ages 16 and 17

If you find a question below for which you would like to read the answer, just click the link...

Does a 17-year-old need both parents to apply for a passport in NY?  Question: Do I need both parents when applying for a passport? I'm 17 and live in NY. Also, can I apply for my 6-month-old daughter's passport alone or ...

Can a 17-year-old submit a passport as proof of citizenship?  Question: The government website and local passport offices do not seem to agree on what is needed. As I understand the website information.

Can I get a passport if I am 16 and only live with my dad?  Question: I am trying to travel out of the state and need my passport. The problem is that I need a state ID but cant get it because I only live with ...

Where can I get a passport on a Saturday in Massachusetts?  Question: My 16-year-old daughter needs a passport. Where can I get passport photos made and get an actual passport?

Can a 16-year-old get a passport without a parent?  Question: My 16-year-old son has an expired passport. My husband and I are outside the U.S. at the moment so we sent him back to the US before ...

Passport for minors 16-17  Question: I am a 16-year-old US citizen by birth. Can I apply for my US passport card renewal by myself? My mom has a problem proving her name change ...

Consent of parent for a passport at 16 years of age  Question: Does my daughter need her father's consent to renew her passport? Does she need to apply in person and does he have to be with her? She is ...

Travel Abroad of 16-Year-Old of Divorced Parents  Question: Mother is designated custodian of 16-year-old. Can the 16-year-old get a passport without the father's permission? Can the 16-year-old travel ...

Can I renew a passport issued for a minor who is now 16?  Question: My son's passport was issued in when he was 11. He is now 16. Can I renew that passport or do I now apply for a passport for ...

Does he need a completely new passport?  Question: My son was 12 when he got his passport. It will expire soon. He is now 17. Does he need to apply for a completely new one?

Can a 16-year-old get her passport without her father's permission?  Question: I am 16 and my parents are separated. My father is living in a different state. He never fought for custody and I live with my mother. My mother...

Would it be better to wait until my 15yo turns 16?  Question: My daughter turns 16 soon. She will be traveling to Europe on a school trip just a couple of month later. Specifically, we would like to know whether it is advisable to take the extra steps to get a passport for our daughter when she is 15 or wait until she is 16, which will give us less than 6 weeks to get the passport prior to her departure.

Does a 17yo need both parents consent to get a passport?  My 17-year-old has not seen his biological father in 14 years. Does he needs his father's consent to apply for a new passport?

Must both parents be present when renewing a passport for a 16yo?  Question: Our daughter is turning 16 in a couple of days and we are traveling soon afterwards. We want to wait until she is 16 so her passport will be valid for a longer time.

Do both parents need to accompany her for the renewal? If not, does the other parent have to provide notarized consent? Can we make an appointment for the expedited service even though we will be traveling in 3 weeks (not two)? Will we be turned away from the appointment?

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