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Passports for Minors

Special Requirements for Minor Children
Step-by-step instructions are available to obtain a first time or renewal passport for your child.*

1. Complete and Submit Application Form DS-11

Please do not sign the application form until the Consular Officer requests you to do so.

2. Present Child
As directed by Regulation 22 CFR 51.21 and 51.27 each minor child applying for a passport must appear before a Consular Officer. *Children under 16 years of age must be accompanied by both parents.  Children 16 or over can sign their own application and parents need not accompany, but will be most welcome.

3. Submit Proof of Child's U.S. Citizenship
When renewing a currently valid or recently expired U.S. passport, the current passport must be submitted. If replacing a lost or stolen passport or applying for a first-time passport, the following documentation is required:

  • Certified U.S. birth certificate; or
  • Consular Report of Birth Abroad (Form FS-240 issued for a child born overseas); or
  • Certificate of Citizenship or Naturalization from USCIS (formerly INS).

4. Present Evidence of Relationship to Parents/Guardians**
Documents demonstrating a child's relationship to parents or guardians, include:

  • Certified U.S. or foreign birth certificate with parents' names; or
  • Report of Birth Abroad (Form FS-240) with parents' names; or
  • Adoption Decree with adopting parents' names; or
  • Court order establishing custody or guardianship (original or certified copy).

If the parents' names are other than that on documents, evidence of legal name change is required. Please note: previous U.S. passports are not acceptable as proof of relationship to the applying parent(s) or guardian(s).

5. Provide Parental Identification**
Each parent or guardian must submit one of the following:

  • Valid drivers license, U.S. military identification, or U.S. government identification with recognizable photo.
  • Valid U.S. or foreign passport or alien resident card with recognizable photo.
  • Naturalization/Citizenship certificate from USCIS with recognizable photo. 

 6. Present Parental Application Permission Documentation**
In most cases, both parents must appear and sign the passport application form before a Consular Officer. In the event that one parent cannot appear before a Consular Officer, a notarized Statement of Consent DS-3053 must be signed and submitted with the passport application. One-parent signatures are also acceptable when submitting the following primary evidence of sole authority to apply:

  • Child's certified U.S. or foreign birth certificate listing only applying parent; or
  • Consular Report of Birth Abroad (Form FS-240) listing only applying parent; or
  • Court order granting sole custody to applying parent (unless child's travel is restricted by order); or
  • Adoption decree (if applying parents is sole adoptive parent); or
  • Court order specifically permitting applying parent's or guardian's travel with the child; or
  • Judicial declaration of incompetence of non-applying parent; or
  • Death certificate of non-applying parent.

A third-party in loco parentis may not apply on behalf of a child under 16 except in exigent circumstances.

** These steps are dependent upon the age of the minor. Applications for children under the age of 16 must include this documentation.

7. Provide Two Passport Photos
The passport photos must meet the State Department requirements and should be 2" x 2" (approx. 5cm x 5xm) on a white background.

8. Pay the appropriate in USD cash ($85).

 

Location & Contact Info

U.S. Embassy Paramaribo, Suriname

Dr. Sophie Redmondstraat 129
Paramaribo, Suriname

Telephone:
+597 472 900

Consular Section Tel:
+597 472 900 ext 2236

Consular Section Fax: 
+597 425 788

Consular Section Email:
caparamar@state.gov