You cannot renew a U.S. passport issued to a child under 16 using Form DS-82. If your child is still under 16, apply again in person using DS-11—even if the old passport is undamaged and you already completed the process once before.
Parents often search for “child passport renewal” because that describes the practical task. The government process is a new application, with citizenship evidence, parental relationship documents and consent checked again.
Start with your child’s age on the application date
An under-16 passport is normally valid for five years. Turning 16 does not convert that old book into a ten-year passport or make it eligible for DS-82. The next application follows the rules that apply to the applicant’s age and previous passport.
| Your situation | Next application |
|---|---|
| Child is still under 16 | DS-11 in person, with the under-16 parental requirements. |
| Applicant is now 16 or 17, and old passport was issued under 16 | DS-11 for the first adult passport, with parent-awareness requirements. |
| Applicant is now 18 or older, and only passport was issued under 16 | Apply in person; that childhood passport does not satisfy DS-82 eligibility. |
Two birthday examples that explain the form choice
These examples concern a previous passport issued before age 16. They do not describe every adult renewal situation.
| When the applicant applies | What changes | What does not change |
|---|---|---|
| One day before the 16th birthday | The under-16 application and parental requirements apply. | The application uses DS-11; the old passport is not renewed by DS-82. |
| After turning 16, while still age 16 or 17 | The age-16–17 identification and parent-awareness route applies. | A passport issued under 16 still does not become eligible for DS-82. |
Do not postpone an application just to cross the birthday without considering appointment availability and the trip. Use the child’s actual age when applying and the separate teen application guide for the next step.
See the State Department’s under-16 passport instructions and our separate guide for 16- and 17-year-olds before choosing an appointment.
Read this graphic as text
- Still under 16: DS-11 in person; child and parental requirements.
- Now 16 or 17: First adult passport: DS-11 and parent awareness.
- Now 18 or older: A passport issued under 16 still fails DS-82 eligibility.
- Check the old book: Age at issuance matters as well as current age.
A childhood passport does not become a ten-year passport at age 16.
What to bring for another under-16 passport
Organize the application around four separate questions: Is the child a U.S. citizen? Who are the parents or legal guardians? Who is giving consent? Who is presenting identification?
- Unsigned DS-11. Complete the form for the child and print it as instructed.
- Physical citizenship evidence and a photocopy of it. Bring the qualifying original or certified evidence and the required paper photocopy. A qualifying previous U.S. passport can establish citizenship, but review the official requirements for the document you have.
- Parental relationship evidence. Bring a birth certificate, adoption decree or other accepted record identifying the parents or guardians. A previous passport does not establish this relationship on its own.
- Parent or guardian identification and copies. Follow the front-and-back photocopy requirements.
- Consent documents when needed. An absent parent may need to complete DS-3053; sole legal authority requires suitable evidence.
- One compliant passport photo and the applicable fees.
The child must attend. A parent cannot simply mail the old passport away and sign a renewal form for the child.
Build the appointment folder around evidence, not the old passport alone
Example: a family brings an undamaged five-year passport but leaves the birth certificate or other relationship evidence at home. The passport may establish the child’s citizenship; it does not by itself establish who the parents are. Keep the relationship evidence in the folder even when the child has had a passport before.
Prepare the required physical documents and photocopies before the visit. A photo of an ID or a birth certificate on a phone is not the same as the requested paper evidence. Check the official under-16 checklist for your document combination. Leave DS-11 unsigned until the acceptance agent instructs you to sign, and let the agent handle attaching the child’s photo.
Do both parents have to attend again?
For children under 16, both parents or guardians normally appear with the child. If one cannot attend, prepare the correct exception documents before the appointment. Having attended the last application does not remove the requirement this time.
Our DS-3053 consent guide covers the absent-parent form, ID copy and notarization timing. A custody arrangement needs closer attention: physical custody and sole legal authority to obtain a passport are not interchangeable.
How much does a child passport application cost?
For one under-16 passport book, $100 application + $35 acceptance = $135. Adding the $60 government expedite service makes that $195. These examples exclude photos, shipping, optional return delivery and private service charges. They are a way to organize the bill, not a private service quote or a guarantee that the expedited option meets your departure date.
Ask the acceptance facility which payment methods it takes for its fee and prepare the government application payment separately as instructed. A second child needs a separate application and its own evidence; do not assume that one family folder or one parent’s signed form covers everyone.
Use the official passport fee information for the document and service combination you choose.
A passport card has a different fee and cannot replace a passport book for international air travel. Choose the document around the trip, rather than selecting the lowest price without checking its permitted uses.
Plan around the trip, not just the expiration date
A child’s book can be unexpired but lack the validity a destination requires. Check the passport-validity rule for your itinerary before deciding you can wait another few months.
Then allow time to coordinate both parents, obtain documents, attend the appointment, complete processing and receive the book. If a visa is also required, that comes after the passport is available.
Frequently asked questions
Can I renew my child’s passport online?
No. The online renewal program is not a replacement for an under-16 DS-11 application.
Do I need a new photo if my child looks the same?
Yes. A new application needs a photo that meets the current requirements, including recency. Do not reuse the photo from the five-year-old passport.
Can a private service remove the parent-consent requirement?
No. 24 Hour Passport & Visas can assist with child passport preparation and eligible expediting, but the government’s attendance, consent and document requirements still apply.
Tell us your destination, departure date and application status. Call first to arrange a visit to our Los Angeles office.
Call (310) 913-7804