If an individual is under the age of 16 and is applying for a passport, additional documentation will be required. The items include proof of birth, social security numbers and a parent/guardian is also required to accompany the minor and sign the paperwork. When a person has all the necessary paperwork,they can easily obtain their travelling papers.
DS-11 Form
If a person is under sixteen years of age, they must apply in person and bring their birth certificate and social security number. Completing a DS-11 application is required and cannot be signed until an acceptance agent has reviewed the necessary documentation. Upon completing the required application, it must be submitted in person and the minor has to be accompanied by their parents or guardians. There are also forms for expedited passports available.
Birth Certificate
The birth certificate must have the name of the child and the full names of both birth parents to be accepted. In the event that the document cannot be located, a parent can submit additional documentation in lieu of a certificate. The documentation includes postnatal records from the doctor who did the follow up care for the family and the child.
Proof Of Citizenship
Upon collecting proof of US citizenship, the next step is to produce documentation from the parents/guardians. This is usually a form of photo identification such as a driver license or any other form of Identification and in some states, a secondary piece of ID is required as well. One copy of the requested identification has to be submitted per minor application.
Photo ID
The photocopy needs to be printed on plain white paper that is 8 1/2 x 11 inches and needs to have a picture of the identification’s front and back. Only one side is to be used for the copies so if additional space is required for the back, a second page will be needed. Additionally, the paper must be free of any other markings and cannot be smaller or larger than the above size.
Secondary ID
In the event that a credit card is used for secondary identification, a photocopy of the card will not be required. For the personnel that are witnesses for disabled individuals, the witness must submit their identification as well. For people who are deemed identifying witnesses, they must supply proper identification and also fill out a DS-71 form as well.
Child Passports
The parents will need to provide consent for authorizing the passports issuance by appearing in person with the minor. If one parent has sole custody,they will be required to submit evidence for sole custody. If a third party is submitting the application for a minor, they will need a notarized affidavit from the parents giving the third party permission to apply on their behalf.
So applying for a U S passport is a long process and if the proper documentation is not on hand the first time through, it can turn into an even longer process. The need for heightened security measures, especially when minors are involved, are there for good reasons. Upon turning the ripe old age of 16, the minor becomes an adult in the eyes of passports and can obtain one on their own without a parent present. There are also expedited United States passport services available.

