A 16- or 17-year-old applying for a first adult passport must appear in person, use Form DS-11, and show that one legal parent or guardian is aware of the application. Both parents do not need to appear.
Passports issued at age 16 or 17 are valid for 10 years. The applicant pays adult passport fees, but the application still has special parental-awareness and identification rules because the applicant is under 18.
What Changes at Age 16?
- Parental rule: The two-parent consent rule no longer applies, but one parent or legal guardian must be aware of the application.
- Passport validity: A passport issued at age 16 or 17 is valid for 10 years.
- Fees: Applicants age 16 and older pay adult passport fees.
- Application method: The applicant must still apply in person using Form DS-11 for a first adult passport.
- Previous child passport: A passport issued before age 16 cannot be renewed. It may be submitted as citizenship evidence if it is full validity and undamaged.
Documents a 16- or 17-Year-Old Needs
A complete application normally includes:
- Form DS-11: Complete the form, but do not sign it until the acceptance agent tells you to sign. See our Form DS-11 guide.
- Evidence of U.S. citizenship: Submit one original or certified document and a photocopy. Examples include a certified U.S. birth certificate, a full-validity undamaged U.S. passport, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or a Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship.
- Photo identification: Present a physical photo ID and submit a photocopy of the front and back. A fully valid driver’s license is the most common option. A learner’s permit may require a second ID.
- Parental awareness: Show that one legal parent or guardian knows about the application.
- One passport photo: Submit one recent color photo that meets the official passport photo requirements.
- Passport fees: Bring the required payments for the State Department and the acceptance facility.
Citizenship evidence must be submitted as a physical document. Digital birth certificates and images stored on a phone are not accepted. Review our guides to evidence of U.S. citizenship, passport identification, and photocopy requirements.
How to Show That a Parent or Guardian Is Aware
The two-parent consent rule used for children under 16 does not apply to applicants who are 16 or 17. Instead, the applicant must show that one legal parent or guardian is aware of the application.
The State Department accepts any of these methods:
- A parent applies with the teen: The parent or guardian presents acceptable photo ID, signs Form DS-11 with the applicant, and provides a photocopy of the ID.
- A parent signs a note: Submit a signed statement from the legal parent or guardian with a photocopy of that person’s ID.
- A parent is listed as the emergency contact: Enter the legal parent or guardian in the emergency-contact section of Form DS-11.
- A parent pays the fees: Submit a check that has the legal parent or guardian’s name on it.
Form DS-3053 is not automatically required for a 16- or 17-year-old.
If parental awareness is not clear, the State Department may request a notarized Form DS-3053 and a photocopy of the parent or guardian’s ID. This is different from the standard two-parent consent process for applicants under 16.
If the applicant does not have acceptable photo identification, one parent or legal guardian with acceptable ID must sign the application with the applicant.
How to Apply in Person
- Complete Form DS-11. Print it single-sided and leave it unsigned.
- Gather the originals and photocopies. Bring citizenship evidence, photo ID, parental-awareness evidence, one photo, and payment.
- Find a passport acceptance facility. Use our passport office locator and acceptance-facility guide. Many locations require appointments.
- Appear in person. The acceptance agent verifies the documents, administers the oath, and witnesses the applicant’s signature.
- Pay both fees. Form DS-11 requires a separate State Department application fee and facility acceptance fee.
The applicant may apply for a passport book, a passport card, or both. A passport card cannot be used for international air travel.
Passport Fees for Applicants Age 16 and Older
| Document | Application fee | Acceptance fee | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passport book | $130 | $35 | $165 |
| Passport card | $30 | $35 | $65 |
| Passport book and card | $160 | $35 | $195 |
Expedited service costs an additional $60. Optional delivery and facility charges may also apply. Review the current passport fee schedule before applying.
Processing Times and Faster Options
Routine passport processing is currently 4 to 6 weeks, and expedited processing is currently 2 to 3 weeks. Mailing time is not included in the State Department’s estimates and can add time before and after processing.
For a complete timing breakdown, see how long it takes to get a passport.
A 16- or 17-year-old may qualify for urgent service at a passport agency with proof of international travel. The applicant still uses Form DS-11, appears in person, and must meet the parental-awareness requirement.
Special Situations
The Previous Passport Was Issued Before Age 16
A passport issued before age 16 cannot be renewed. The applicant must submit Form DS-11 in person. The previous full-validity, undamaged passport may be used as evidence of U.S. citizenship.
The Applicant Does Not Have Acceptable Photo ID
A parent or legal guardian with acceptable photo ID must sign the application with the applicant. Bring the parent or guardian’s original ID and a photocopy.
A Parent Objects to the Passport
A passport may be denied when a parent or legal guardian with authority to object sends the State Department written notice or when a court order restricts passport issuance or international travel.
Parents and legal guardians may also enroll an eligible child under age 18 in the free Children’s Passport Issuance Alert Program. The program alerts the enrolling adult when someone applies for a U.S. passport for the child. Enrollment does not automatically prevent issuance.
The Applicant Has a Legal Guardian
A legal guardian may establish awareness of the application. Bring the guardianship order and the guardian’s identification, along with any other documents requested for the applicant’s situation.
The Applicant Is Outside the United States
Contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for local application instructions. The applicant must still establish identity, citizenship, and parental awareness, but appointment and payment procedures may differ abroad.
Permission to Travel Is a Separate Issue
Parental awareness for a passport application does not automatically establish permission for an international trip. The United States does not require evidence of both parents’ permission for a minor to travel internationally, but some destinations, airlines, and cruise lines require a notarized consent letter or custody documents.
Review our minor travel consent form guide and unaccompanied-minor travel guide, then check the rules for every country on the itinerary.
Passports for 16- and 17-Year-Olds: FAQs
No. The two-parent consent rule for children under 16 does not apply. The applicant must show that one legal parent or guardian is aware of the application.
Yes, if the applicant has acceptable photo identification and can show that one parent or legal guardian is aware. A signed note with an ID copy, an emergency-contact listing, or a parent’s check may establish awareness.
Usually not. Form DS-3053 is primarily used for children under 16. The State Department may request a notarized DS-3053 if parental awareness is not clear.
No. A passport issued before age 16 cannot be renewed. The applicant must apply in person using Form DS-11.
No. A passport issued at age 16 or 17 is valid for 10 years and remains valid after the holder turns 18.
Yes, if it is a full-validity, undamaged U.S. passport. A child passport issued for five years can serve as evidence of U.S. citizenship.
The decision depends on travel timing. An application submitted before the 16th birthday follows the under-16 rules and results in a five-year passport. An application submitted on or after the birthday follows the 16-17 rules and results in a 10-year passport.
No. Passport issuance and international travel permission are separate. Some destinations and carriers require a notarized consent letter or custody documents when a minor travels alone or with only one parent.
Last reviewed: July 2026
Our role: U.S. Passport Service Guide explains the published passport rules and helps applicants prepare for the correct process. The U.S. Department of State and its acceptance agents decide whether documents, identification, parental-awareness evidence, and urgent-travel proof are acceptable.
Important: Custody orders, guardianship documents, destination rules, and individual circumstances can affect a minor’s application or travel. Contact the State Department, the destination’s embassy or consulate, or a qualified attorney when a custody or legal dispute is involved.
