If your child is under 16 and needs a passport in 2 weeks or less, start with the documents. A child’s passport cannot be renewed, so you must apply in person with Form DS-11 even if your child has had a passport before.
In most cases, the child must appear with both parents or legal guardians. You also need proof of the child’s citizenship, proof of your parental relationship, parent ID, consent paperwork when needed, and proof of international travel.
Quick Answer: Fastest Way to Get a Passport for a Child
The fastest State Department route is usually a passport agency appointment. Passport agencies and centers serve travelers by appointment only when they have urgent travel to a foreign country in the next 14 calendar days, or need a foreign visa in the next 28 calendar days.
For a child under 16, you must use Form DS-11. Complete the form before the appointment, but do not sign it until the acceptance official tells you to sign.
- Go to a regional agency yourself if you can get an appointment, bring the child, gather the parent ID and consent documents, and travel to the agency.
- Look at registered passport couriers if you cannot get to an agency, cannot find a workable appointment, or the added costs of attending an appointment yourself outweigh the courier fee.
Same-day child passport service may be possible in some urgent cases, but it is not guaranteed.
Our role: U.S. Passport Service Guide is an independent passport information resource. We explain the official passport application, renewal, and agency appointment processes first, then compare private courier options when they may help with urgent logistics.
Important: Private expediting services cannot approve your child’s passport, waive DS-11 requirements, bypass State Department rules, or guarantee passport issuance. They may help check documents, manage submission steps, track the application, and return the passport if your documents and travel date qualify.
Who This Child Passport Guide Is For
This page is for parents or legal guardians who need a passport for a child under age 16 in 2 weeks or less.
- The child is under 16.
- The child needs a new passport, replacement passport, or first passport.
- You are preparing a minor passport application and need the fastest available official option.
- Your family has international travel within 14 calendar days, or a foreign visa deadline within 28 calendar days.
- You understand that child passports cannot be renewed. You must apply again in person using DS-11.
Not the right situation? If the applicant is 16 or 17, use our urgent passport guide for 16- and 17-year-olds. If an adult needs a first passport, use the urgent first-time adult passport guide. For a broader overview, start with our urgent passport guide.
Parent Consent Rules for a Child Passport
Child passport applications have extra safeguards. The State Department must confirm the child’s citizenship, the parent-child relationship, and parental consent. The child must appear in person.
| Your situation | What to bring |
|---|---|
| Both parents or guardians can attend | Bring the child, both parents or guardians, parent photo IDs, photocopies of IDs, proof of citizenship, proof of parental relationship, passport photo, and proof of travel. |
| One parent or guardian cannot attend | Bring the child, the attending parent or guardian, and a signed, notarized Form DS-3053 from the non-attending parent or guardian, plus a photocopy of that parent’s ID. |
| One parent has sole legal authority | Bring the child and proof of sole authority, such as a court order, custody order, adoption decree, or other qualifying document. |
| The other parent cannot be located | You may need extra documentation explaining the special family circumstance. This is a higher-risk appointment, so review the requirements before you go. |
How to Get a Child Passport in 2 Weeks or Less
For urgent travel, the priority is getting the child’s DS-11 packet right and deciding whether you can get to a passport agency yourself.
- Confirm the child is under 16. Children under 16 use the child passport process and receive passports valid for 5 years.
- Complete Form DS-11, but do not sign it. The signature must be witnessed by an authorized official.
- Gather citizenship, relationship, consent, ID, photo, and travel documents. A missing consent form or photocopy can delay the application.
- Check the travel date. Agency appointments are for urgent international travel, usually within 14 calendar days. If a foreign visa is required, the window may be 28 calendar days.
- Decide whether to go yourself or use a courier. Go to a regional agency yourself if you can. Compare a registered courier if the appointment, distance, work schedule, or family logistics make that difficult.
Passport Agency vs. Passport Courier: Should You Go Yourself?
For a child passport, the main question is whether you can get the child and required parent or guardian documents to a regional passport agency yourself, or whether a registered passport courier would save enough time or travel cost to be worth considering.
Apply at a Regional Agency Yourself
This is usually the most direct route if you can get a passport appointment, bring the child and required adults, and travel to the agency.
- Best when you live near a regional agency or can travel there without major extra costs.
- Requires a confirmed appointment.
- Requires printed proof of international travel.
- You pay government passport fees, the expedite fee, and any travel-related costs.
Use a Registered Passport Courier
A courier may be worth comparing if you cannot find an appointment that works, cannot travel to a regional agency, or it would be costly to get there yourself.
- Can check paperwork and help with agency submission steps.
- May submit or pick up documents when State Department rules allow it.
- Charges a private service fee in addition to government fees.
- Cannot approve your child’s passport, skip State Department rules, or guarantee issuance.
DS-11 applicants still have to appear in person. A courier cannot sign Form DS-11 for you or your child. If you use a courier for a child passport, the child and required parent or guardian must first go to an authorized passport acceptance facility so an acceptance official can review the documents, witness the signature, and seal the application packet. Do not open the sealed packet.
Trying to decide whether a courier fee makes sense? Compare the service fee with what it would cost to go to a regional agency yourself with your child. That may include transportation, parking, hotels, meals, childcare for other children, missed work, and the chance that no appointment fits your travel date.
For a detailed breakdown, read our guide to the hidden costs of urgent passport applications.
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Documents to Gather Before You Go
Bring these documents, plus proof that your trip is soon. Complete Form DS-11 before your appointment, but do not sign it until the acceptance official tells you to sign.
Child passport checklist
- Form DS-11: completed but unsigned.
- Proof of the child’s U.S. citizenship: such as a certified U.S. birth certificate, previous U.S. passport, Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or Certificate of Citizenship.
- Proof of parental relationship: such as a birth certificate listing the parent or parents, adoption decree, custody decree, or guardianship order.
- Parent or guardian photo ID: each appearing parent or guardian should bring valid photo ID.
- Photocopies: bring required photocopies of the child’s citizenship evidence and parent or guardian photo IDs.
- Consent documents: bring both parents or guardians, a notarized Form DS-3053, or proof of sole legal authority, depending on your situation.
- Passport photo: bring one compliant color passport photo for the child.
- Proof of international travel: bring a printed itinerary, ticket, cruise confirmation, or other accepted proof.
- Payment: bring government fees and a payment method accepted at your application location.
How to Make a Passport Agency Appointment
Passport agencies and centers require appointments. They do not accept walk-ins, and appointment availability is not guaranteed.
- If you have not applied yet, use the State Department online appointment system or follow our passport appointment guide.
- Make the appointment when your child is within 14 calendar days of international travel, or within 28 days if a foreign visa is needed.
- Bring the child, required parents or guardians, and printed proof of international travel to the appointment.
- Do not pay anyone just to book a government passport appointment. Appointment booking itself is free.
For families who need a child passport in 24 hours or the same day, see our same-day passport guide before deciding whether to travel to an agency or compare courier help.
Urgent Child Passport Costs
Most last-minute child passport cases include the regular application fee, the $35 execution fee, and the $60 government expedite fee. The 1–3 day return delivery fee is optional for passport books, but it is usually worth adding when your travel date is close.
| Child passport option | Government fees | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|
| Child passport book Most international air travelers need the passport book. |
$100 application fee + $35 execution fee + $60 expedite fee | $195 Add $22.05 for 1–3 day return delivery: $217.05 |
| Child passport book + card Useful if you also want a card for land or sea travel to limited destinations. |
$115 application fee + $35 execution fee + $60 expedite fee | $210 Add $22.05 for 1–3 day return delivery of the passport book: $232.05 |
| Child passport card only Not valid for international air travel. |
$15 application fee + $35 execution fee + $60 expedite fee | $110 Note: Passport cards are only sent by First Class Mail. |
| Additional cost | When it applies |
|---|---|
| $22.05 1–3 day return delivery | Optional for passport books. This is paid to the U.S. Department of State with your application fee. |
| Passport photo | Applies if you need a new photo. Prices vary by provider. |
| Private courier fee | Applies only if you hire a passport expediter. This is separate from government passport fees. |
| Travel costs | Applies if you go to a regional agency yourself and need transportation, parking, hotel stays, meals, childcare, or time away from work. |
For the full fee chart, see our passport fees guide. Passport cards cost less, but they do not work for international air travel.
What Happens After the Appointment?
If the agency approves your child’s application, you may receive the passport the same day or be told when to return or expect delivery. Timing depends on the travel date, the agency workload, and whether your documents are complete.
If you use a courier, follow the courier’s instructions for tracking, return shipping, and supporting documents. Keep copies of tracking numbers and written instructions.
Child Passport FAQ
No. Children under 16 cannot renew passports. You must apply again in person using Form DS-11, even if the child already had a passport.
Usually, both parents or legal guardians need to appear with the child. If one parent cannot attend, you may need a notarized Form DS-3053, proof of sole legal authority, or additional special-circumstance documentation.
A courier cannot sign DS-11 for you, approve the passport, or skip the consent rules for a minor passport application. In many courier cases, the child and required parent or guardian still must first appear before an authorized acceptance official so the application packet can be sealed.
Possibly, but it is not guaranteed. Same-day issuance depends on the travel date, appointment availability, complete documents, and agency capacity. Start with our same-day passport guide if your child’s trip is within the next few days.
Applicants who are 16 or 17 follow different rules. They apply for a 10-year adult passport and must show that at least one parent or guardian is aware of the application. Use our passport guide for 16- and 17-year-olds.
Not by air. A passport card is only for land and sea travel to limited destinations, including Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean. If your child is flying internationally, apply for a passport book.
More Help for Urgent Passport Situations
- Child Passport Guide
- Expedited Passports for Minors
- Form DS-3053 Consent Guide
- Urgent Passport Guide
- Same-Day Passport Guide
- Passport for 16- and 17-Year-Olds
- Emergency Passport with DS-11
- Passport Expediting Services Directory
Compare Your Fast Passport Options
If routine service is too slow, you may need an agency appointment or help from a registered courier. Compare your options before you decide.
Last reviewed: May 18, 2026.
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