Help parents navigate minor passport requirements.
Child and Minor Passport Assistance
Child passports carry consent requirements that surprise most parents, especially in split-household or single-parent situations.
Quick answer
How does child passport assistance work?
For a child under 16, both parents or guardians generally must consent and the child must appear in person. Proof of the parental relationship and both parents' identification are typically required.
- Consent requirements
- Family document prep
- Shorter validity planning
The consent rule
If one parent cannot attend, a notarized consent form is usually required. If sole authority exists, documentation of that authority is required instead.
Validity is shorter
Passports for children under 16 are typically valid for five years rather than ten, so family trips need a renewal calendar.
Related passport help
XpressPass is a private passport assistance service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by the U.S. Department of State or any other government agency. Government passport fees are separate from XpressPass service fees. Passport issuance decisions are made solely by the U.S. government.
Secure Document Uploads
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Transparent Pricing
Our service fee is shown separately from government fees, always.
Travel-Focused Support
Every recommendation is measured against one thing: your departure date.
Real Human Assistance
When a situation is unusual, you reach a person who handles passport cases daily.
Clear Instructions
Plain-language checklists instead of government jargon and cross-referenced forms.
Child Passport Assistance questions
Only with notarized consent from the other parent or documentation of sole legal authority.
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