| Teenagers are not children, but they aren't quite | | | | required to get a passport. However, if your teen |
| adults either. US passport regulations place teens age | | | | doesn't have a driver's license or ID card yet, they |
| 16 and 17 in a special category, with application | | | | can use your ID instead. Bring both the original ID and |
| requirements that are a little bit different from | | | | a clear photocopy. |
| younger kids and teens but also different from adults. | | | | Proof of citizenship- Your teen can prove his or her |
| This article describes what you need to know to get | | | | US citizenship by using one of the following |
| your 16- or 17-year-old a new passport. | | | | documents: a certified US birth certificate, a US |
| Apply in Person | | | | passport (valid or expired), Consular Report of Birth |
| Teens age 16 and 17 must apply in person to get a | | | | Abroad or Certification of Birth, a Naturalization |
| new passport. Even if they have a passport already, | | | | Certificate or Certificate of Citizenship. |
| they are not allowed to renew by mail. In most | | | | 2 identical passport photos taken within the past 6 |
| cases, this means taking a trip to the nearest | | | | months |
| passport acceptance facility, often a post office. | | | | US Passport Application Form DS-11- It's okay to |
| Must Have Parental Consent | | | | print it off at home and fill it in before you go to the |
| 16- and 17-year olds must bring a parent or guardian | | | | passport acceptance facility, but don't let your teen |
| with them when they apply for a new passport, in | | | | sign it until the passport official tells him or her to do |
| order to establish parental consent. However, unlike | | | | so. |
| younger children, who require the consent of both | | | | The appropriate passport fees: Check the |
| parents, only one parent needs to accompany the | | | | Department of State's website for the most |
| teenager. | | | | up-to-date information. |
| Required Documents | | | | After your teen has submitted their application, all |
| Applying for a new passport requires you to prove | | | | they have to do is wait for their new passport to |
| both your identity and your US citizenship. Here's | | | | arrive in the mail. Remember, it can take 6 weeks or |
| what your teen needs to bring to the passport | | | | longer for regular passport service and 3 weeks for |
| acceptance facility: | | | | the government's expedited service, so it's best not |
| Proof of identity- A government-issued photo ID is | | | | to procrastinate. |