February 7, 2010
Applying For A U.S. Passport if You Are Under 18
Minors applying for a US passport need to submit special requirements aside from the regular requirements submitted by everyone applying for passports. Minors who are 16-17 years old have a slightly different set of special requirements from those who are under 16 years old. So if you’re a passport 16-17 applicant who wants to know how to apply for a United States passport, read this.
What are the special requirements for applicants aged 16-17? These requirements are actually required of the parent’s applicants or their guardians, rather than the applicants themselves. The documents are used to provide proof of the parents/guardians’ identity. These documents are the parents/guardians’ ID, a photocopy of this ID, as well as a written parental consent.
Once you’ve met these requirements, you’ll now have to deal with the routine requirements for passport applications. If it’s your first time to applying for USA Passports, you will have to use the Form DS-11. This is the form used by first-time applicants, as well as those who were issued their last passport when they were under 16, or those whose passports were issued more than 15 years ago.
As required for all who use the DS-11 form, you will have to submit this along with the other requirements in person to the nearest passport agency. Also, you must keep in mind that you must not sign the complete form. Wait until you are told to do so when you finally submit it.
You also need to establish your citizenship when applying for a passport. You can submit any of the following documents to do this: a certified birth certificate, your latest passport, your certificate of naturalization, your certificate of citizenship, or a consular report if you were born outside the US. The document you submit will be returned to you once your passport has been processed. It is usually mailed with your passport, although sometimes it may be mailed separately.
You will then be required to present a proof of your identity. First, you will need to present your ID once you go to the passport office for your personal appearance. Also, you will have to present a photocopy of that ID. Rules for photocopies of your ID are strict so make sure you comply.
Also submit two color passport photos that are recent. As with the photocopy of your ID, there are very specific rules regarding your photos, so make sure you know what these rules are. Finally, you also be required to pay an applicable fee for your passport application.
There you have it, all the basic things you need to know about how to apply for a USA Passport if you’re 16-17 years old. These guidelines are up to date and very specific, so make sure you understand them and follow them to the letter. You’ll save yourself time if you have everything ready before submitting the application.
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