Passport Requirements for Minors Under Age 14

In 2007, the United States implemented a program which changed, significantly, the way in which Americans travel into and out of the United States. For families with children, under the age of 14, this change in passport requirements will provide for a slightly more complex procedure when obtaining a passport for children for the purpose of traveling outside of the United States. When planning a family vacation, it is important to remember these key points when an accompanying traveler is a minor, under the age of 14, especially for children in single parent homes.

For minor children traveling outside of the United States, effective in 2007, a United States passport is required for re-entry into the United States. The key factor to passport acquisition is the necessity that all minors, under age 14, appear in person at the passport location and, even more difficult, the passport application must have the signature of both parents or legal guardians or the custodial parent must provide adequate documentation securing the parent's authority to make sole travel decisions on behalf of the minor child.

When appearing in person the passport, the minor child, under the age of 14, must present a valid, certified birth certificate. When the birth certificate is not available, there are additional optional pieces of documentation which can be accepted but may be difficult for the designated United States passport office to differentiate as acceptable passport documentation for the minor child.

In addition to a birth certificate as proof of citizenship, the minor child, under age 14, must also present proof of identity. As most children, under age 14, do not possess legal photo identification, the legal guardians or parents must verify the identity of the minor child. For children residing in single parent homes, one parent must be present while the other parent must sign, and notarize, form DS-3053, Statement of Consent: Issuance of a Passport to a Minor under Age 14. With this documentation, one parent may present and verify the identity of the minor child, under age 14, who is in need of a passport to travel internationally.

For single parents who do not have contact with the other parent, and are unable to obtain form DS-3053, the passport can be issued to the minor child providing the custodial parent has a legal document which supports the sole custody rights and, in addition, the court custody documents must not indicate the minor child is restricted from travel.

As with any international travel plans, researching the various travel documents, including passport requirements, will ensure a more safe and pleasurable vacation. For information regarding the revised 2007 passport requirements for minor children, under age 14, visit www.travel.state.gov.