Minors applying for a passport for the first time have special requirements they need to fulfill in order to have their children’s passport application approved. These special requirements are fulfilled on top of the basic ones that all passport applicants need to meet. Minors who are 16-17 years old have a slightly different set of special requirements from those under 16. We’ll be dealing with the requirements of the former group, and provide you with a guide to applying for a passport for the first time.

First, the basic requirements. When speaking of basic requirements, we’re referring to the requirements that both adults and minors need to fulfill when applying for a passport for the first time. Ready? Let’s proceed.

The first of these basic requirements is the Form DS-11. This is the form that you need to fill in if you are applying for a passport for the first time. Also, this is the form filled in by passport applicants who were under 16 when their last passport was issued, or those whose passports were issued more than 15 years ago. The DS-11 is also a form you need to submit in person. It is therefore important you make sure you have fulfilled all the requirements before proceeding so as to save time.

Aside from the DS-11, the applicant should also submit a proof of his/her citizenship. There are documents that can be submitted to do this. They are as follows: the birth certificate, certificate of citizenship, or certificate of naturalization. If, however, the applicant was born abroad, the consular report on that birth may be submitted.

Then there are also the other requirements to establish the applicant’s identity. These are the ID card to be presented at the time of the application, the photocopy of the ID card, and two recent passport photos. It should be noted that there are very specific guidelines when it comes to the photocopy and the passport photos, so if you’re unsure of what to do, inquire at your local passport office first. Once all these requirements have been accomplished, the applicable fees may then be paid.

Now we move onto the special requirements for applicants ages 16-17. If you are applying for a passport for the first time, you need to make a personal appearance at the passport office. You will need to do this when submitting all the requirements for your passport.

There’s also the requirement to establish parental consent. Parental consent is needed if it wasn’t implied in the application. While the minor is required to submit an ID, he/she can present that of his/her parent. At the same time, a photocopy of that ID is also required.

All in all, that’s what you need for child us passport applications if you’re 16-17 years old. Most of the U.S. passport requirements are the basic ones, plus a few special requirements that you actually just need in case you don’t have an ID of your own, and the parental consent was not implied. These steps are easy and straightforward, so you’ll have no problems following them.