If you have your own current identification document (ID), you may apply for a passport if you are age 16 or 17. You must show at least one legal parent or legal guardian is aware that you are applying for a passport. For more information, please see Children's Passport Issuance Alert Program.

There is no minimum age to get a passport; a child can be issued a passport from the day they are born. In the United States, all citizens, including newborns and infants, must have their own individual passport for international air travel. For children under the age of 16, the application process is particularly strict to prevent international child abduction. Both parents or legal guardians must appear in person with the child at a passport acceptance facility (like a post office or courthouse). If one parent cannot appear, they must provide a notarized Form DS-3053. You will need to provide the child's original birth certificate to prove both citizenship and the parental relationship. Passports for children under 16 are only valid for five years, rather than the ten years granted to adults. In 2026, the State Department recommends applying at least 4-6 months in advance of travel, as "expedited" services for minors still require the same rigorous vetting and physical appointments as adult applications.