Can Uncle Go with Niece for Passport Renewal in the US

Expired passports are not accepted while traveling abroad. Things might be a little complicated to renew a child’s passport. To prevent child trafficking, the US Department of State usually requires parental consent and appearance to issue a passport to minors under 18. Some people wonder whether an uncle can renew the passport for his niece. In this passage, you will find out the answers.

Paths for Minor Passport Renewal in the US

US citizens under 18 will be issued a child’s passport. The US passport for minors aged 16 and younger is valid for 5 years. The passport issued when the minor is under 16 years old cannot be renewed. Once it expires, parents should file Form DS-11 to apply for a new passport. Passports for children ages 16-17 are valid for 10 years. Once it expires, they can file Form DS-82 to renew it.

Can Uncle Go with Niece for Passport Renewal in the US

Whether an uncle can accompany his niece depends on the age of the minor and their relationship.

• Children aged 16-17

They can renew the passport alone with a valid identity document and parent’s consent. Therefore, they can attend the passport appointment with their uncle. 

• Children under 16 years old

They must appear in person with the company of both parents or legal guardians at the passport office to apply for a new passport. In this case, an uncle is not accepted to be present with a child unless he has the right of guardianship.

Situations Where an Uncle Can Be Involved in Minor Passport Renewal

The US Department of State strictly monitors the issuance of child’s passports. When renewing a passport for a minor under 16 years old typically requires the presence and consent of both parents or legal guardians. However, an uncle can renew a passport for his niece in loco parentis in special cases. Here are some examples.

• Neither parent can be present due to travel, incapacitation, serving in the army, etc. The uncle should get consent from at least one parent.
• Only one parent has sole legal custody. The parent can apply for a passport for the child without the other parent’s consent and invite an uncle to be involved in the process.
• The uncle has legal guardianship of the child and he can directly file a passport application for the child with a guardianship decree.
• The uncle accompanies a minor aged 16 or 17 with parental consent from at least one parent.

How to Renew Passport for Minor Below 16 Years Old As an Uncle

As we stated before, minors below 16 should start an application from the very beginning to “renew” a passport. As an uncle, you can apply on behalf of your niece through the steps below.

Fill and Print Form DS-11

The U.S. Department of State — Bureau Of Consular Affairs launched a Form Filler Tool that allows applicants to fill out an online form and then print it out, which is more convenient and time-saving. If you cannot access the form filler, you can also download it and fill it by hand with a black pen. Here is how to complete the form online.

• Visit state.gov. Agree to the Privacy Policy and click on the “Submit” button.

• Choose “Fill Out Online and Print”.

• Read the instructions and enter basic information about the minor. All fields marked with a red asterisk must be filled.

• Provide contact information, including address, phone number, and email address.

• Tell your travel plan and emergency contact. If there is not any, skip this step and click on the “Next” button to continue.

• Enter details of the current passport.

• Enter information about the child’s parents. Check “Unknown” if the father or mother is unknown. 

• List used names if there is any.

• Review the information that you have filled. If there is any error, click on “Edit” to modify it. If not, click on “Next” to proceed.

• Choose passport book/card, processing methods, and delivery methods. They feature different fees and waiting time.

• Read and agree to the instructions and acknowledgment at the end. Click on “Print Form” to save it on your computer and print it out single-side. Remember not to sign the form before meeting the passport officer.

Prepare Necessary Documents

Applicants must present a set of evidence of the minor’s identity and your relationship with the child. Original and photocopies of the following documents are required. 

• Citizenship Evidence

There must be an official seal or stamp of the issuing authority on the document. Acceptable proof includes:

• US city/county/state-issued birth certificate showing the applicant’s full name, date & place of birth, the parent(s)’ full names, date of registration (within one year after birth), and the registrar’s signature; Or
• Consular Report of Birth or Certification of Birth (on the condition of being born outside US); Or
• Certificate of Citizenship; Or
• 5-year undamaged U.S. passport (either valid or expired).
• Documents to Prove the Relationship with Your Niece

A document showing the full name of the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) is needed, such as:

• U.S. birth certificate (originals or certified copies); Or
• Birth certificate issued by foreign authorities; Or
• Adoption decree; Or
• Divorce or custody decree; Or
• Court order as proof of guardianship.
• Name change document on the condition that the parent’s or guardian’s name is different on the proof of relationship (if applicable).
• Photo ID

At least one of the following photo IDs of both parents or guardians is needed. Remember to prepare the physical ID card as well as a black-and-white photocopy. If the photo ID is not issued in the state that you apply from, present a second photo ID.

• An undamaged U.S. passport (either valid or expired);
• A valid foreign passport;
• Driver’s license;
• Certificate of Naturalization; 
• Certificate of Citizenship;
• City, county, state, or federal government employee ID;
• U.S. military or military dependent ID;
• Matricula Consular (Mexican Consular ID) of a parent of a U.S. citizen child applicant;
• U.S. Green Card of a parent of a U.S. citizen child applicant;
• Trusted Traveler IDs, such as valid Global Entry, FAST, SENTRI, and NEXUS cards
• Enhanced Tribal Cards and Native American tribal photo IDs
• US passport photo

A 2×2 photo of the minor is required and it must comply with the ICAO ID photo standards. Applicants can take a photo at a pharmacy, post office, or photo studio. If you want to make it at home, our online passport photo maker, AiPassportPhotos will help you. Just take a picture with a mobile phone and upload it online. A compliant photo will be generated within minutes. Print it on high-quality glossy or matte photo paper and submit it along with the application form. 

Make a Passport Appointment

Minor applicants must submit the passport application form and supporting documents in person. Before going to the passport acceptance facility, you should book an appointment by phone.

• Call 1-877-487-2778 at office hours which are 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) from Mondays to Fridays or 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on weekends. People with hearing impairment can call 1-888-874-7793 and ask for TDD/TTY teletype services. 
• Provide personal information and choose a desired date and time slot for your attendance.
• Receive appointment confirmation that should be brought to the passport acceptance facility.

Attend the Passport Appointment

Normally both parents or guardians should go with the child to attend the appointment and apply in person to show the consent of issuing a passport to their child. If one or both of them cannot appear, they can complete and notarize a Statement of Consent: Form DS-3053 to give permission to someone else, for example, an uncle, to apply for the child. You, as an uncle, should also bring your identification document and a photocopy of both parents/guardians’ photo IDs to the passport office with the child. 

Collect the New Passport

You have to wait patiently for the result of your application after submitting it. If the new passport is ready, the authority will mail the new passport and supporting documents separately to the provided address. It takes 2-8 weeks to receive them.

How to Renew Passport for Minor Between 16-17 Years Old As an Uncle

If the passport is issued when the child is under 17 and it expires after the child turns 16, he/she can re-apply for a new passport without the parent(s)’ company. The application process is similar to that for minors under 16. If you apply for your niece, you are supposed to help them prepare the following required documents.

• Proof of US citizenship, a valid photo ID, and a recent passport photo as stated before.
• Parental consent

It is used to prove that at least one of the parents or legal guardians is aware of the application when none of them appear with the child. It could be any of the following:

• A signed note from the legal parent or guardian along with a photocopy of a valid photo ID; Or
• Proof of payment with a parent or guardian’s name on it; Or
• Completed Form DS-3053 or other notarized statements of consent as well as a photocopy of the parent or guardian’s ID who sign the statement.

Minor Passport Application Fee & Processing Time

The cost of applying for a child’s passport depends on the age of the minor, document type, processing, and delivery services. You can pay an application fee (payable to the US Department of State) and an execution fee (payable to the passport acceptance facility) separately by check or money order. Here is a detailed price list.

It generally takes 4-6 weeks to process an application and 2 weeks to mail the new passport. If you pay for expedited methods, the processing time will be shortened to 2-3 weeks and the delivery time to 1-2 days.

Minor Passport Validity

Typically, a child’s passports issued when the child is under 16 years old will be valid for 5 years while those for the child aged 16 and older are valid for 10 years. It is necessary to check the expiry date before traveling and re-apply or renew it in time.

How to Check the Passport Renewal Status

To check the application status, you can subscribe to email updates and receive email notifications whenever there is any change. Make sure to enter your last name, date of birth, and last 4 digits of your social security number correctly. The common status is listed below.

Summary

Children under 18 years old should apply for a new passport when the old one expires. The minor is required to submit an application in person. Those under 16 must be accompanied by both parents or legal guardians. If neither parent can appear, an uncle can be involved in the passport renewal process with parental consent. We hope this passage will help you prepare all the required documents and get a new passport successfully.