Passports for Applicants Under 16 Years of Age

First time applicants under the age of 16 born outside of the U.S. must first establish their claim to U.S. nationality before a U.S. passport will be issued. Please refer to our information regarding how to apply for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad.

Completing the application

Please print out only one-sided pages of the application, and submit in person at the Consulate serving your area:

1. Self-addressed Express Post or Express Post Platinum envelope for return of your new and old passports. Please note that we are unable to accept Registered Post envelopes to return the documents;
2. Completed, legible (but not signed) passport application (Form DS-11);
3. Applicant (child);
4. Child’s most recent U.S. passport. If the child has never held a U.S. passport, documentary evidence of U.S. citizenship must be provided;
5. One (1) U.S. sized passport photograph. (Note: these are a different size from Australian sized passport photographs. See our list of known photographers);
6. U.S. regulations require the consent of both parents/legal guardians for the issuance of a U.S. passport to a minor child. To meet these regulations, the following documents are required:
   • The child’s original birth certificate or court issued custody order;
   • The parents’ current photographic identification. If only one parent submits the application for a minor child, the absent parent is required to complete a notarized Form DS-3053 to express their consent for the issuance of the passport. The consent must include a clear copy of the absent parent/guardian’s valid identification (i.e. passport, driver’s license) which was cited by the Notary Public or Justice of Peace. Please note: If a Justice of Peace is notarizing the DS-3053, please ensure they include their JP registration number as well as their Justice of Peace stamp, as the form will be invalid without these two specific requirements; 
   • The minor child (applicant) must be present;
7. Any required supporting documents;
8. Applicable fee (All fees are subject to change without notice).

Submitting the application

The application must be signed by the applicant in the presence of a Consular Officer at the Consulate General serving your area. This requirement cannot be waived. Services are provided by appointment only, which can be scheduled online.

All applicants must be present at the appointment, including minor child applicants under the age of 16.

For applicants living in areas where there is no consular presence, you may be eligible to submit your application during an ACS outreach program. Please refer to the ACS outreach program page for details of upcoming ACS outreach visits.