We Finally Got the Kids Their Passports! Here’s How It Went (and What You Need)

Disclaimer: This post is based on our personal experience and is for informational purposes only. For the most accurate and up-to-date passport requirements, please visit the official U.S. Department of State website. For more, see the disclaimers linked at the bottom of this site.

In preparation for an upcoming international trip, we finally got around to applying for passports for the kids. It’s one of those things that kept slipping down the to-do list until we realized… we can’t leave the country without them!

We went through the whole process recently, and honestly—it was way easier than I expected. If you’re thinking about getting a passport for your child and feeling a little intimidated, here’s a simple, stress-free breakdown of what to expect.

Where We Did It (And Where You Can Go)

We booked our appointment through UC Davis Passport Services, and it couldn’t have been smoother. They took the kids’ photos right there, helped us double-check the paperwork, and made everything painless. We didn’t pay for expedited service, and we still got passports back in just 3 weeks. Total win.

Looking for a location near you? There are over 9,000 passport acceptance facilities across the U.S.—including post offices, libraries, and county offices. You can search by ZIP code, city, or state here:
https://iafdb.travel.state.gov

What to Expect

The hardest part for us? Honestly—just finding a time when both of us were home and available. If your child is under 16, both parents or legal guardians must be present at the appointment. Otherwise, one parent has to provide a notarized consent form (Form DS-3053), which adds another step. So make sure to plan ahead!

A few more things to know:

• Kids under 16 must apply in person.

• Don’t sign the DS-11 until you're at the appointment.

• Payment is split between the State Department and the acceptance facility, so plan ahead (two checks or a check + card usually works).

What It Cost

Here’s what we paid per child (as of 2025):

• Passport Book – $130

• Execution (Processing) Fee – $35

• Passport Photo at the facility – around $15

Total: around $180 per child

Check the latest fees here:
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/fees.html

What You’ll Need (Checklist)

Here’s everything we brought:

• Form DS-11 – fill it out online and print it, but do not sign

• Original U.S. birth certificate – must list both parents

• Photocopy of the birth certificate – front and back, black & white

• Parent IDs – such as a driver’s license or passport

• Photocopy of parent IDs – front and back

• Passport photo – taken at the appointment, or bring your own

• Two payments – one for the $130 application fee (to the U.S. Department of State) and one for the $35 execution fee (to the facility)

• Both parents present – or bring a notarized DS-3053 form from the absent parent

Getting the kids' passports felt like a huge win—and one big item checked off our travel to-do list. If you’ve been putting it off, take this as your sign to just do it. It’s not as hard as it seems—once you finally get everyone in the same place at the same time.

Passport status: secured.
Next stop: the airport… eventually.