Minors Applicant (Under age 16)
Step 1: Complete Form DS-11: Application for a U.S. Passport
Please note, you:
- Must not sign the application until instructed to do so by the Acceptance Agent
- Must provide your SSN in accordance with 26 U.S.C. 6039E. Failure to provide information requested on the form, including your social security number, may result in significant processing delays and/or the denial of your application.
Step 2: Submit Form DS-11 to the Consular Section at the U.S. Embassy Bamako
The minor and both parents (or guardians) must appear in person to submit Form DS-11.
Submit Evidence of U.S. Citizenship
The minor's evidence of U.S. citizenship must be submitted with Form DS-11. All documentation submitted as citizenship evidence will be returned to you. Submit One of the Following:
- Previously issued, undamaged U.S. Passport
- Certified birth certificate issued by the city, county or state*
- Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Birth
- Naturalization Certificate
- Certificate of Citizenship
Submit Evidence of Relationship
Parent(s)/Guardian(s) must submit evidence of their relationship to the minor applicant. Submit One of the Following:
- Minor's certified U.S. birth certificate with both parents' names
- Minor's certified Foreign Birth Certificate with both parents' names*
- Minor's Report of Birth Abroad with both parents' names
- Adoption Decree with adopting parents' names*
- Court Order establishing custody
- Court Order establishing guardianship
Note:
- All foreign documents not written in English or French must be accompanied by an English translation.
- Evidence of a legal name change must be submitted, if the name of a parent/guardian has changed since the original documents were issued (e.g. photocopy of a marriage certificate, etc.)
Present Identification of Parent(s)/Guardian(s)
When applying for a minor under age 16, both parent(s)/guardian(s) must present acceptable identification at the time of application. Submit One of the Following:
- Current passport
- Naturalization Certificate
- Current Government ID
Provide Parental Consent
Both parents must provide consent authorizing passport issuance for a minor under age 16. See the scenarios below, and follow the instruction that best applies to your circumstance:
- Both Parents: Appear in person with the minor and Sign Form DS-11 in front of an Acceptance Agent
- One Parent: Appear in person with the minor, Sign Form DS-11 in front of an Acceptance Agent and Submit the second parents' notarized Statement of Consent (Form DS-3053) with a notarized copy of the second parents’ identification
- One Parent (with sole legal custody): Appear in person with the minor, Sign Form DS-11 in front of an Acceptance Agent, Submit primary evidence of sole authority to apply for the child.
- A Third Party (in Loco Parentis applying on behalf of a minor under the age of 16): Submit notarized Statement of Consent (Form DS-3053) with a notarized copy of each parents’ identification and a notarized written statement from both parents or guardians authorizing a third-party to apply for a passport
Important Note: The written consent from the non-applying parent that accompanies an application for a new passport must be less than 3 months old. New written consent from the non-applying parent must be obtained and submitted with any future passport application for the minor under age 16.
Submit One Passport Photo
Your Photograph Must Be:
- In color
- 2 x 2 inches in size
- Taken within the past 6 months, showing current appearance
- Full face, front view with a plain white or off-white background
- Between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head
Step 3: Pay the Application Fee
Please see Current Passport Fees.
Accepted methods of payments:
- U.S. dollars;
- CFA Francs;
- Credit card – Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, and Diners Club (Crecit cards may only be accepted for American Citizen Services)