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Standard Service - Instructions for Children (applicants under the age of 16) |
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Summary of the application process, please read. (Print this page for your convenience)
The parent(s) or legal guardian(s) of the child must appear in person, with the child, at a local court house or post office and present the list of items in step 1 below to a passport acceptance agent (AA). The AA is needed to witness the signing, by the Parent or legal guardian, of the passport application. Children 14 years of age or older also sign the application. After visiting the AA the application is sent to American Passport Express.
To find an AA in your area you may search the following list of Acceptance Agents by state.
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Summary of the 4 step process for all applicants under 16 years of age.
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Collect
and Prepare Passport Application
Documents |
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A.
The DS-11 form (Government Passport Application Form) |
The Department of State requires that you fill out the government application online for expedited service.
If you are applying for both a passport book and a passport card please mark for both on the applcation
Do not sign this form, you will sign it in front of the AA.
Please complete the DS-11 form now. If the child had a previous US passport which is no longer in your possession then you must also complete the DS-64 form. Do not cross out or white out and rewrite information on these forms (use a new form if necessary).
State Department regulations state that the application (DS-11 and DS-64) has to be submitted within 5 days of when it is dated. Please be sure that the application is dated by the Acceptance Agent the day that you ship your application to American Passport Express. Please call 1-800-455-5166 with any questions. |
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Please print two copies of the letter of authorization. The letter of authorization gives us permission to process your child's passport application.
The two copies of the letter of authorization must:
- Have original signatures by the passport applicant's parent / guardian
- Both be signed using a blue ink pen if possible
- Not be photocopies or faxes
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C.
Proof of Citizenship |
Provide one of the following:
For more detailed citizenship information click here.
If your child's name has changed from birth please submit court documentation showing that change and click here for more information.
*Please make sure the Certified birth certificate shows the following:
- a file date within one year of birth,
- the name of at least one parent
- is a certified copy
- shows the child's name given at birth and birth date.
All citizenship documents will be returned with your new passport. |
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Photos must meet the government specifications see photo requirements here or see the information pages of your DS-11 form. We strongly recommend not sending digital photos.
Where can I get my photos? |
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E.
Proof of Identity |
The parent(s) needs to bring proof of Identity in the form of:
- Valid Drivers License
- Valid Official U.S. Military ID
- Valid U.S. Gov't ID
- Valid U.S. or Foreign Passport with recognizable photo Naturalization/Citizenship Certificate from INS with recognizable photo Alien Resident Card from INS
If a child has any photo ID it should also be presented. Make sure the AA notes on the application the type of ID you presented. If the drivers license used for ID was issued less than 6 months ago please see our supplemental ID info page and contact American Passport Express. Please make a clear photocopy of the parent(s) drivers license. This will be sent with your application materials.
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F.
Proof of Departure |
Send one of the following:
- Two copies of your plane ticket showing departure date or
- Two copies of your itinerary from the travel agent or airline
If you do not have a ticket or itinerary please click here.
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G.
Proof of Relationship |
Evidence of Child's Relationship to Parent(s)/Guardian(s) (provide 1 official copy)
- Official US Birth Certificate (with parents' names)
- Foreign Birth Certificate (with parents' names & official translation)
- FS-240 or DS-1350 (with parents' names)
- Adoption Decree (with adopting parents' names)
- Court Order Establishing Custody,
- Court Order Establishing Guardianship.
Note: If the parent(s) or guardian(s) name has changed please bring official proof of that name change
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H.
Service Fees |
1. Government Fees:
(Two Checks or Money Orders)
Make one payable to "US Dept. of State" for $120
* If applying for the passport card have a seperate check made payable to the "US Dept. Of State" for $10
- Include the applicant's date of birth on this check
- All personal checks must show a printed address
- Do not cross out and rewrite any information on the check. (Use a new check if necessary)
- Please note this fee must be paid by check or money order only (not by credit card)
Make the second check or money order in the amount of $25 payable to the Post Office or Court House which you visit. If you have questions about these fees please click here.
2. American Passport Express Service Fee.
Our service fee of $59 may be paid with personal check or money order made out to "American Passport Express". Use the customer information form (see step 2 below) to pay this fee by credit card. If applying for the passport card please add $15.
$3 Copy fee will be charged if copies of materials are not included.
3. Return Shipping Fee
Please add $25 to the American Passport Express payment, for the overnight return delivery of your passport or include your own airbill with your fedex account number. If applying for a passport card in addition to the passport book please provide an additional $25 for return shipping of the card.
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I.
Statement of Consent
(If Necessary) |
If the child is 15 years of age or younger one of the following must occur.
Both parents must appear at the AA to sign the application for passport.
OR If one parent cannot be present when visiting the AA that non-appearing parent must sign the statement of consent authorizing the passport issuance for the child.
- You must Notarize the statement of consent
- Include a photocopy of the valid drivers license or valid passport of the non-appearing parent
- Sign the statement of consent
OR Only one parent needs to appear if that parent can prove they have sole authority to apply for the child
OR If the child is in the care of a third party click here
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Complete Customer Information Form |
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All applicants must complete and submit the customer information form.  After submitting the form online print a copy of the confirmation page which appears. The form gives our company information which is used to help accurately process your passport order. |
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Visit the Acceptance Agent |
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A.
Acceptance Agent |
BEFORE GOING TO THE ACCEPTANCE AGENT MAKE A PHOTO COPY OF ALL DOCUMENTS.
Inform the Acceptance Agent (AA) that you are using an expediting service to "hand carry" your application to the government passport agency for processing.
After signing the application in front of the AA, the AA should seal-up the following items in their envelope:
Do not get copies sealed by AA.
- The completed DS-11 form [step 1A]
- Two identical passport photos [step 1D]
- Proof of citizenship [step 1C]
- Statement of Consent (if necessary)
from second parent - notarized and signed. [[step 1i]
- The check or money order to "US Dept. of State" [step 1H]
A seperate check will need to be included if applying for a passport card.
- One copy of the proof of departure [step 1F]
- Proof of relationship to child [step 1G]
- One copy of the letter of authorization (some AA's may not seal the letter of authorization or the itinerary in the envelope, if that is the case then place them inside the FedEx envelope along side the sealed envelope, no delays or problems will result) [step 1B]
- A copy of the parents drivers ID may be requested and sealed by the AA [step 1E]
(Do not seal the payment to American Passport Express or the Customer Confirmation Page) |
The AA should use their official stamp or seal along the seal of the envelope. The envelope may be marked "to be opened by authorized passport agent only" and or "hand carry". The "sealed envelope" should now be returned to you in order to send it to American Passport Express.
Please write on the sealed envelope: 1. Applicant Name 2. Date of Birth 3. Date of Departure
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Shipping of Application |
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Shipping |
Please use an overnight mail courier (i.e. FedEx*, UPS, Airborne Express, Express Mail) for the overnight mailing of your application to American Passport Express.
Please send the following via FedEx:
- Sealed envelope from the Acceptance Agent [step 3A]
- American Passport Express service fee (if check or money order) [step 1G]
- The other signed letter of authorization (blue ink and original signatures) [step 1B]
- The other copy of the proof of departure [step 1F]
- The customer "confirmation page" [step 2A]
- A clear photocopy of the parent's drivers license(if it was not sealed in the AA envelope) [step 1E]
- Copies of all documents being sent.
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Send above items to the following address:
American Passport Express
Attn: Standard Service
170 Commerce Way Ste 104
Portsmouth, NH 03801
You will receive email confirmation with your order number and status the day we receive your application
**********End First Time Applicant Instructions***********
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Note: If the AA you are working with is unfamiliar or uncomfortable with the process of using a passport expediting service they can refer to the section of their AA Guidance Manual which outlines, "The Hand Carrying of Executed Applications" and may call their regional passport agency and/or contact American Passport Express at 1-800-455-5166.
*You can pick up FEDERAL EXPRESS airbills and envelopes at FedEx boxes and FedEx offices. Call 1-800-GO-FedEx to find the most convenient location or use their online drop-off locator (drop-off locations will have blank airbills and envelopes. You may use a credit card to pay for the sending of your application.) |
