child passport atlanta

Editor's Note (UPDATED February 25, 2022) -- U.S. passports are taking up to seven weeks to process using the government's expedited service.  It is possible to get a passport in less time by scheduling an appointment with the Passport Agency by calling 877-487-2778 and appearing in person at their office.

More Atlanta families are obtaining U.S. passports for their children as international travel continues to grow in popularity.  However, the process for obtaining a passport for minors differs significantly from that for adults – including variations based on the age of the child.
Demand for passports has increased in recent years due to the strong economy and growing population.  Over the past six years, the number of passports issued annually by the U.S. State Department in Georgia grew by more than 150%, totaling almost half a million documents.

Family vacations account for part of that surge as more parents are taking their children overseas.  However, recent years have also seen an accelerated trend for more high school students to study abroad and better prepare themselves for college.  Younger university students are also signing up for opportunities for international education before they turn 18. 

Like adults, minor children need a passport to travel outside the United States.  Children under 16 can receive a passport effective for five years, while those issued to 16- and 17-year-olds are good for 10 years.  Detailed requirements for younger children are listed at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/need-passport/under-16.html, while those for ages 16 and 17 are shown at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/need-passport/16-17.html

Requirements for Children Under 16

The basic form for a new passport (DS-11) is available online at https://pptform.state.gov/.  Children under 16 who already have a passport must still use Form DS-11 to renew.  Parents can fill out the form online, print it out and take it to the acceptance facility.  However, parents should NOT sign the passport in advance, as the government agent must witness your signature.

You will need to submit supporting documentation along with form DS-11.  Both parents are typically required to accompany the child when applying for a passport (with exceptions listed below).  For younger children, you will need to bring:

  • Original proof of the child’s citizenship.  This can be a birth certificate, proof of birth abroad, certificate of citizenship, or an existing passport (current or expired).
  • Evidence of parental relationship, such as a U.S. or foreign birth certificate, an adoption decree, or a divorce/custody decree that shows you are the child’s parent or guardian.
  • Identification for the accompanying parent(s), such as driver’s license, certificate of citizenship, military or government ID, or a U.S. or foreign passport. (NOTE: For those with out-of-state driver’s licenses, a second form of ID is required.)
  • Photocopies of the child’s citizenship and parental ID documents (front and back).
  • Proof of parental consent.  Ideally, both parents should accompany the child to the passport facility and sign the passport application.  If only one parent (or neither parent) can appear, there are various alternatives listed on the State Department website to meet a variety of special situations.  For example:
  • A notarized Form DS-3053 is required when only one parent can appear (such as active military).
  • Form DS-5525 is needed when one parent cannot locate the other one to attend.

 

Passports for 16- and 17-Year-Olds 

Minors ages 16 and 17 who need a new passport must use Form DS-11 and appear in person.  As with younger children, the accompanying parent(s) should not sign the passport application before arriving at the passport facility.  However, if these minors already have a passport and are eligible to renew by mail, they can use Form DS-82 (https://eforms.state.gov/Forms/ds82.pdf).

The basic requirements for children ages 16 and 17 are the same as that for younger children, including presenting original proof of the child’s citizenship; a photocopy of that document; and a passport photo.  The $35 fee payable to the facility is the same, but State Department fees are higher: $130 for a passport book, $30 for passport card, or $160 for both.

For older children, both parents are not required to appear for the appointment.  Applicants only need to demonstrate that at least one parent or guardian is aware they are applying.  One option is for at least one parent to accompany the teenager to the passport facility.  The minor (or the accompanying parent) must bring a form of ID listed above, plus a photocopy of that ID.  Alternately, at least one parent or guardian can sign a notarized statement consenting to the passport being issued (accompanied by a photocopy of the adult’s ID), and the minor can come apply on their own.

Where to Apply for a Minor Passport

In Atlanta, there are three options for obtaining a minor’s passport: visit a passport acceptance facility; appear at the Passport Agency downtown; or, in some cases, use a private passport service.  While the requirements for obtaining a passport are generally the same, the process varies between these options.

Option 1: Appear at an Acceptance Facility

The most common way to obtain another passport is visiting a passport acceptance facility.  This link allows you to find the closest facility to your home or office: https://iafdb.travel.state.gov.  For those located in Metro Atlanta, we recommend using the Dekalb County Clerk of Superior Court: https://dksuperiorclerk.com/passports/.

Passport acceptance facilities are government offices that do not actually issue the child’s passport.  These facilities will verify your documents and mail them to the State Department’s Passport Agency.  The normal turnaround time for new and renewed passports is eight to eleven weeks.  Expedited service within seven weeks is available for an added fee.

Option2: Apply in Person

If your child needs to travel within a short period of time, they can apply in person at the U.S. Passport Agency downtown (230 Peachtree St #1000, Atlanta, GA 30303).  You can ONLY apply in person here if you can prove the need to travel within the next two weeks -- or, for countries that require a visa, within four weeks.  You will complete Form DS-11 and make an appointment directly with the Atlanta Passport Agency.  Note that the agency is busy during peak travel periods, so plan ahead to avoid delays.

For your appointment, bring the identification listed above, as well as:

  • Your appointment confirmation number
  • Proof of travel plans, such as your flight itinerary, hotel reservation, or cruise tickets
  • One passport photo
  • Methods of payment.  The agency takes major credit cards, debit cards, cash, checks, and money orders.  In addition to the costs above, there is an additional $60 expediting fee.

Contact information, directions, and other details about the Atlanta Passport Agency are available at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/get-fast/passport-agencies/atlanta.html.

Visiting the Passport Agency costs more and may not be as convenient as using an acceptance facility.  However, if you need a passport quickly, it is well worth the effort.  Unlike acceptance facilities, the agency can issue your new passport – often on the same day or the following day.

Option 3: Use a Private Passport Service

The third option is to use a private passport expediter such as Visa Supply to speed up the turnaround time.  For this option, you still need to visit a passport acceptance facility so a government official can verify your identity and documents.  Normally the facility can only forward your documents to the State Department for processing.  However, if you are using a courier service such as Visa Supply, the acceptance facility will seal your documents in an envelope and return them to you.  You will then take that envelope back to our office so we can ship it to one of our couriers in San Francisco, Seattle, Houston, or Washington, D.C. so we can expedite your passport application.

Our office is conveniently located in Sandy Springs, just two miles outside of I-285 on the Roswell Road exit.  If you want Visa Supply to help you, you must FIRST visit our office so we can take your passport photo; help you prepare your DS-11 application; plus review your documentation.  You can take these documents to the Dekalb County Clerk of Superior Court, and then return the sealed envelope to Visa Supply so we can expedite your application with the Passport Agency.

Since Visa Supply is a private company, we charge a fee for our services (in addition to the government’s $160 expedite fee for a child's passport book).  Beyond the convenience of using our office, we make sure your application form is filled out correctly.  We also take your passport photo and will ensure that it meets the government’s specifications.  Our basic service starts at $100.  Customers receive their new passport (along with the old one) within eleven weeks; for additional fees we can also get passports renewed in as fast as one week.  Please call us for the latest details.

Atlanta and Georgia residents with questions about obtaining a child's passport can schedule a telephone call through our website.  Our free consultation will guide you through your options and each step in the process.