How to Get an Urgent Passport for 16- and 17-Year-Olds In 2 Weeks or Less

If you need an urgent passport for a teenager who is 16- or 17-years-old in two weeks or less and standard or regular expedited processing isn't fast enough, your best option is to apply directly at a Regional Passport Agency.

You can either make an appointment and attend yourself or hire a registered passport expediting service to manage the process on your and your child's behalf.

While technically still considered minors, 16- and 17-years-old teens must follow a slightly different passport application process than younger minors and adults.

This guide is exclusively for American citizens who:

• are 16- or 17-years-old and
• have urgent travel plans in two weeks or less

This urgent passport guide explains how 16- and 17-year-olds can quickly get an urgent first-time passport, including everything you need to prepare and submit for the fastest processing.

How to Get an Urgent Passport for 16- and 17-Year-Olds in 5 Steps

Follow these five steps to get an urgent passport for a 16- or 17-year-old quickly and efficiently:

Step #1: Determine Eligibility

Although 16- and 17-year-olds are still considered minors under U.S. law, they qualify for adult first-time passports that are valid for 10 years.

If they previously held a child passport (issued before age 16), that passport cannot be renewed. Instead, they must apply for a new passport in person.

To qualify for urgent processing, the 16- or 17-year-old applicant must be either:

• a U.S. citizen or
• a qualifying non-citizen national.

To get an urgent new passport, they must also be able to:

• Complete Form DS-11,
• Provideproof of U.S. citizenship and identity,
• Demonstrate parental awareness or consent,
• Submit a valid passport photo,
• Pay all required fees,
• Provide proof of immediate travel planswithin 14 days (or 28 days if a foreign visa is also required)*, and
• Appear in person at a Regional Passport Agency to sign and swear an oath before a passport agent or use a registered passport expediter.

*Acceptable proof of urgent travel includes confirmed flight/cruise itineraries, hotel reservations, or boarding passes/travel tickets.

Step #2: Gather Required Documents and Fees

Documents for an Urgent Passport for 16- and 17-Year-Olds

When applying for a 16- or 17-year-old's passport, you must prepare the following documents:

• Form DS-11:
  • Download Form DS-11 here and complete in black ink.
  • Print clearly, single-sided pages only.
  • Important: Do not sign until your appointment!
• Proof of U.S. Citizenship: (e.g., certified U.S. birth certificate, previous minor's passport, Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or Naturalization Certificate.)
• Proof of Identity:
  • More about acceptable proof of identity for passport applications.
  • Please note: Minors aged 16 and 17 who possess their own identification can independently apply for a passport.
  • If they cannot provide acceptable identification, they must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and provide:
    • Valid Parental Identification (e.g., driver's license, state ID, valid U.S. passport).
    • Proof of Parental Relationship (e.g., U.S. birth certificate(s), adoption decree, court order establishing custody or guardianship).
    • Signed & notarized Form DS-3053 for any guardian unable to appear in person.
• Photocopies of all identification and citizenship documents. Bring both copies and originals to your appointment
• Passport Photo:
  • Provide one recent color passport photo meeting U.S. Department of State standards.
  • Check our Passport Photos Guide for full details.
• Proof of Immediate Travel: (e.g., airline ticket, travel itinerary.)

Fees for an Urgent Passport for 16- and 17-Year-Olds

Expect to pay:

• Passport book fee
• Expedited service fee
• Execution (acceptance) fee

Payments methods accepted:

• Check or money order
• Exact cash
• Major credit/debit card
• Apple Pay or Google Pay.

Current fees :

Hidden Costs to Consider for an Urgent Passport for 16- and 17-Year-Olds

While applying at a Regional Passport Agency costs the same as regular expediting, there are additional hidden costs to attend the appointment. These extra costs can add up quickly:

• Travel expenses (transportation, hotel, meals)
• Lost wages from work absences
• Additional logistical costs

Explore these expenses thoroughly in our guide to Understanding the Hidden Costs of Urgent Passport Applications for a full breakdown and a planning worksheet.

Tip: Hiring a professional registered passport expediter can help reduce these extra expenses significantly, especially if you live far from a regional agency or have time-sensitive commitments.

Step #3: Schedule Your Appointment

Appointments at Regional Passport Agencies are mandatory. You must book an appointment through the State Department's Online Passport Appointment System. For a full walkthrough of the process, check out our guide for scheduling a passport appointment. Slots are limited, so book your appointment as early as possible to secure timely processing.

Tip: Appointment availability is limited; a registered passport expediter might be able to secure a faster appointment for you.

Choose the location of the agency or processing center below that is nearest to you:

Step #4: Attend Your Scheduled Appointment

At your Regional Passport Agency appointment:

• The 16- or 17-year-old applicant must be present.
• A parent or guardian is recommended to accompany the applicant or provide a signed statement of consent..
• The 16- or 17-year-old applicant will sign Form DS-11 in front of the passport agent.
• You must submit all required documents and proof of travel at your appointment.

If everything is complete and approved, the new passport may be issued the same day or within a few days, depending on agency processing times.

Using an Expediting Service Instead?

If you can't secure an agency appointment or prefer assistance, a registered passport expediter can apply for you.

• First, visit a passport acceptance facility ((e.g., a post office) with the 16- or 17-year-old applicant to have all documents verified.
• Your verified documents will then be overnighted to the expediter.
• The expediter will submit the passport application to the Regional Passport Agency, and your new passport and supporting documents will be returned to you by the expediter.

Using a trusted expediter can save valuable time, especially when tight schedules, school, work, or travel logistics are involved.

Step #5: Track Your Passport Application

After submitting your passport application, you can track your passport application status through the U.S. State Department's Passport Status Portal.

For additional assistance, see our step-by-step guide, Tracking Your Passport Status Updatesfor a full walkthrough, or contact the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778.

Quick Reminders for 16- and 17-Year-Olds Applying for Urgent Passports

• Passports issued at age 16 or older are valid for 10 years.
• Passports issued before age 16 cannot be renewed - a new application must be submitted.
• Parental awareness or consent is typically required.
• Proof of urgent travel is mandatory for expedited processing at a Regional Passport Agency.

Need Your Passport Fast? Make the Right Choices for Your Situation.

When time is short, it's critical to follow the right steps the first time.

At U.S. Passport Service Guide, we've helped families navigate urgent passport needs for over 20 years.

Want a faster, easier path? Get started with a trusted, registered passport expediting service here.

Still deciding? Learn more about the hidden costs of urgent passport applications here.

Top 5 Questions About Expedited Passport Couriers