A 16- or 17-year-old applies for a U.S. passport in person using Form DS-11 and signs the application themselves, but the State Department expects some sign that a parent or legal guardian knows about it. That “awareness” bar is much lighter than the two-parent consent rule for children under 16, and a passport for 16 and 17 year olds is valid for the full 10 years once issued.
How the Parental Awareness Rule Works
Federal regulation 22 C.F.R. § 51.28 governs passport applications for minors 16 and older. The teen appears in person and can sign Form DS-11 without a parent standing beside them. The passport authorizing officer can require notarized parental consent at any time, and standard practice is to ask every 16- or 17-year-old to show that a parent or guardian is aware of the application.1eCFR. 22 CFR 51.28 – Minors
This is different from the under-16 process, where both parents generally must consent and a missing parent has to be explained on Form DS-5525. At 16 and 17, no equivalent form exists because the standard is awareness, not consent. The government wants confirmation that the teen isn’t applying behind every guardian’s back.
Four Ways to Show a Parent Is Aware
Any one of the following satisfies the requirement:2U.S. Embassy France. I Am 16/17 Year Old and My Current Passport Is Valid for 5 Years
- A parent or guardian comes to the appointment, signs Form DS-11 alongside the teen, and brings a photocopy of their own government-issued ID.
- The teen brings a signed statement from a parent or guardian authorizing the passport, plus a front-and-back photocopy of that parent’s ID.
- The teen submits a check or money order for the fees with a parent or guardian’s name printed on it. That alone counts as proof of awareness.
- The teen submits a notarized statement from a parent or guardian, sometimes on Form DS-3053, together with a photocopy of the parent’s ID.
The easiest path is the first one: a parent simply comes along. When travel or distance rules that out, the signed note or the parent-name payment method gives families flexibility. Notarization is usually under $15, and some acceptance facilities have a notary on site.
When a Parent Objects or Wants Advance Notice
If a parent or guardian sends the State Department a written objection before the passport is issued, the application can be denied. The objecting parent must document their custodial rights or other legal authority to block the passport.1eCFR. 22 CFR 51.28 – Minors Where a court order grants joint legal custody or requires both parents’ permission for major decisions, the State Department treats that as requiring both parents’ approval and may hold the application until a court resolves the conflict.
A parent concerned about an unauthorized application can enroll the child in the Children’s Passport Issuance Alert Program (CPIAP), which covers any U.S. citizen under 18. Once enrolled, the State Department notifies the registered parent whenever a passport application is submitted for that child. Enrollment is by Form DS-3077, and the child is removed automatically at 18.3Travel.State.Gov. Children’s Passport Issuance Alert Program
What the Teen Brings to the Appointment
Every 16- or 17-year-old applies in person on Form DS-11, even if they already have a child passport issued before age 16. This counts as a first adult passport, so renewal by mail is not available.4Travel.State.Gov. Apply for Your Passport as a 16-17 Year Old Print the form ahead of time but do not sign it until the acceptance agent tells you to.5Travel.State.Gov. Passport Forms
Proof of U.S. Citizenship
The applicant needs an original or certified copy of a U.S. birth certificate, a previous U.S. passport, a Certificate of Citizenship, or a Consular Report of Birth Abroad. A five-year child passport must be submitted with the application as the citizenship evidence.4Travel.State.Gov. Apply for Your Passport as a 16-17 Year Old A birth certificate also lists the parents’ names, which helps establish the parental relationship.
Photo Identification
The teen brings a valid, current photo ID such as a driver’s license or learner’s permit. Without a primary photo ID, they can present at least two secondary documents: a student ID, Social Security card, school yearbook with an identifiable photo, or voter registration card. Form DS-71 allows an identifying witness to vouch for the applicant in person at the acceptance facility if that path is needed.6Travel.State.Gov. Get Photo ID for a U.S. Passport
Passport Photo
One recent color photograph, taken against a white or off-white background with no shadows. Eyeglasses come off. Head coverings are only allowed for religious wear (with a signed statement confirming daily public use) or medical reasons (with a signed doctor’s note), and the full face must remain visible.7Travel.State.Gov. U.S. Passport Photos Retail pharmacies and shipping stores usually charge $8 to $17 for passport photos.
Photocopies
All ID photocopies must be on plain white paper showing both front and back. That applies to the teen’s ID and to any parent ID submitted for the awareness evidence.
Book, Card, or Both, and What It Costs
A 16- or 17-year-old can apply for a passport book, a passport card, or both. The book works for all international travel, including flights. The card is limited to land and sea crossings into Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean and cannot be used for international air travel, though it works as a TSA-accepted ID for domestic flights.8Travel.State.Gov. Get a Passport Card
The 2026 fees, including the $35 acceptance facility fee, are:9U.S. Department of State. United States Passport Fees for Acceptance Facilities
- Passport book only: $130 application fee plus $35 acceptance fee, $165 total.
- Passport card only: $30 application fee plus $35 acceptance fee, $65 total.
- Book and card together: $160 application fee plus $35 acceptance fee, $195 total.
Two separate payments are required: one to the Department of State for the application fee and one to the acceptance facility. Applying for both at the same time is cheaper than adding the card later as its own application.
At the Appointment
The teen appears at an authorized passport acceptance facility, which can be a post office, clerk of court, or public library. The State Department’s locator at iafdb.travel.state.gov searches by zip code. Some locations require appointments, so call ahead.
The acceptance agent witnesses the applicant sign Form DS-11 and administers an oath confirming that the information on the application is true. The agent then packages everything for secure shipment to a passport processing center. Original documents, including the birth certificate or previous passport, are mailed with the application and returned separately after processing.
Processing Times and Tracking
Standard processing currently takes four to six weeks from the date the application arrives at a passport agency or center, not counting mailing time on either end.10Travel.State.Gov. Passport Fees Expedited processing is two to three weeks for an extra $60.9U.S. Department of State. United States Passport Fees for Acceptance Facilities One-to-three-day return shipping to a U.S. address is $22.05.
Online status tracking may take up to two weeks from the day you apply before it shows as “In Process,” and updates as the application moves through printing and mailing.11Travel.State.Gov. Checking Your Passport Application Status The finished passport is mailed to the address on the application.
If the Teen Needs to Travel Within Two to Three Weeks
For international travel in less than two to three weeks, the State Department advises against mailing an application or visiting a regular acceptance facility. The applicant should book an appointment at a passport agency or center, which can issue on a much faster timeline.12Travel.State.Gov. How to Get My U.S. Passport Fast
Appointments are booked online and must fall within 14 calendar days of the international travel date, or 28 days if a foreign visa is also needed. Walk-ins aren’t accepted, and appointment availability isn’t guaranteed. An applicant who already mailed a regular application but now faces urgent travel can call 1-877-487-2778 to request an agency appointment.
Validity and the Next Renewal
A passport issued to a 16- or 17-year-old is valid for 10 years, the same as any adult passport book.4Travel.State.Gov. Apply for Your Passport as a 16-17 Year Old When it eventually expires, the holder will be a full adult and can renew by mail using Form DS-82, provided the passport is undamaged and was issued within the last 15 years. The parental awareness requirement no longer applies once the applicant turns 18.