Passports for Minors

Date Update:  01/04/2022

Passports for minors under age 16 have different requirements than adult passports.  Each parent listed on the birth certificate and the child must be physically present when applying for the passport. 

What to Bring to Your Appointment

  1. $135 application fee
  2. Passport application Form DS-11.  Please do not sign the form until requested to do so by the Consular Officer at your appointment.
  3. One passport photo of your child
  4. Signed, government issued photo identification for each parent.  Please bring the originals and one copy of each.
  5. Your child’s birth certificate or Consular Report of Birth Abroad.  Please bring the original and one copy.
  6. Your child’s previous passport

 

You can pay in cash at the Embassy.  The fee for the passport is $135.00, payable in U.S. dollars or 81,000 FCFA.  The Embassy accepts either dollars or FCFA, but not a combination of both.

 

The passport is produced in the U.S. and mailed to the Embassy.  You can usually pick it up two weeks after submitting the application.  We will contact you when it is ready.

 

Passports for children under 16 have a validity of 5 years.

Yes.  You can keep the old passport while the new one is being processed.  We will cancel and return the old passport on the day you pick up the new one.

The absent parent must provide a completed and notarized Statement of Consent Form DS-3053 and a copy of their government issued photo identification.  U.S. Embassies and Consulates abroad can notarize Form DS-3053.

Only the parent listed on the birth certificate signs the passport application.

Please bring the original death certificate and one copy.

Please provide the original court order granting sole legal custody to the applying parent.

Minors age 16 or older are eligible for 10 year full validity passports using form DS-11.  Written parental consent may be requested for a child age 16 or 17.