How to Get an Urgent Passport for a Minor (Child Under 16) in 2 Weeks or Less

If you need an urgent passport for a child under 16 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.

This guide is exclusively for American citizens who:

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

This guide will walk you through exactly how to get an urgent minor passport as quickly as possible.

Urgent Passports for Minors: What You Need to Know

Before we dive into the step-by-step process, here are a few important facts to keep in mind when applying for an urgent passport for children:

• Minor passports cannot be renewed. When a child's passport expires, you must apply for a new passport.
• Both parents or legal guardians are usually required to appear in person with the child or must submit the proper consent documentation, signed and notarized.

Learn more about expedited passports for minors here.

How to Get an Urgent Minor Passport in 5 Steps

Follow these five steps to get a child's urgent passport quickly:

Step #1: Determine Eligibility

To qualify for an urgent child passport:

• The child must be under age 16.
• You must complete Form DS-11 (unsigned until the appointment).
• You have proof of the child's U.S. citizenship and proof of parental relationship.
• You can provide proof of immediate travel plans.*
• You can attend an in-person appointment at a Regional Passport Agency or arrange service through 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 Child's Passport

When applying for a minor's passport, you'll need to 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 passport, Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or Naturalization Certificate.)
• Proof of Parental Relationship: (e.g., U.S. birth certificate(s) of listing parent(s), adoption decree, court order establishing custody, or court order establishing guardianship.)
• Valid Parental Identification: (e.g., driver's license, state ID, valid U.S. passport.)
• A signed and notarized Form DS-3053 for each legal guardian unable to appear in person at the appointment.
• 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 Urgent Minor Passport

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

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

Current fees :

Hidden Costs to Consider for an Urgent Child's Passport

Applying for a minor's passport urgently at a Regional Passport Agency costs the same as regular expediting, but consider the additional hidden costs for both the child and the adults who need to attend the appointment:

• Travel expenses (transportation, hotel, meals)
• Lost wages from work absences
• Additional logistics or childcare 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 a rigid work schedule and other 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

When attending your child's passport appointment, arrive early. At the Regional Passport Agency appointment:

• The child must be present.
• Both parents (or guardians) must be present or you must submit the appropriate consent forms.
  • Form DS-3053: Statement of Consent or Special Circumstance for Minor's Passport
• You 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, you may receive the child's passport the same day or within a few days, depending on agency processing times.

Using an Expediting Service Instead?

If you can't get an appointment in time or prefer assistance, a registered passport expediter can submit your minor's passport application to a Regional Passport Agency on your and your child's behalf.

• First, visit a passport acceptance facility (like a post office) with the child to have your documents verified.
• Your verified documents will then be overnighted to the expediter.
• Once approved, your new passport and supporting documents will be returned to you by the expediter.

Using a trusted expediter can save valuable time, especially if you live far from a Regional Passport Agency or have a tight schedule.

Step #5: Track Your Minor Passport Application

After submitting your child's 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.

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

When every day counts, how you apply matters just as much as what you submit.

Some travelers can manage an in-person agency visit on their own. Others find that working with a trusted passport expediter saves time, money, and stress.

Quick Reminders About Minor Passports

• Child passports are valid for 5 years, not 10 years like adult passports.
• Minor passports cannot be renewed-you must apply for a new one each time.
• Both the child's parents'or guardians' involvement is usually required unless special consent documentation is provided.
• Immediate travel documentation is needed to qualify for all urgent processing.

At U.S. Passport Service Guide, we're here to help you understand your options and move forward confidently.

Get started with a trusted, registered passport expediting service here.

Need more information? Understand the hidden costs of urgent passport applications here.

Top 5 Questions About Expedited Passport Couriers