Applicants age 16-17 Only: 

If you have your own current identification document (ID), you may apply for a passport. Applicants must apply in person using the standard form and follow standard application procedures listed under Apply for a Passport with the addition of showing parental awareness.

Show Parental Awareness –You must show at least one parent or guardian knows that you are applying for a passport.  How to show parental awareness:

• A parent or legal guardian appearing with you in person when you apply for your passport. The agent or employee accepting the application will ask your parent or legal guardian to sign the form. 
• A signed, notarized statement consenting to issuance of a passport from at least one parent or legal guardian (should be accompanied by a photocopy of that parent or guardian's ID).

Passports for applicants 16 and older are valid for 10 years and have the same fees as adult passports (new fees effective 12/27/2021):

Applicants under 16: 

Applicants must apply in person using the standard form and follow standard application procedures listed under Apply for a Passport with the addition of the below requirements:

1. Show Parental Relationship - You must submit documentation that lists the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) of the child applying for a passport.  The following may be used to show parental relationship:

• U.S. birth certificate (also evidence of U.S. citizenship)
• Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Birth (also evidence of U.S. citizenship)
• Foreign birth certificate
• Adoption decree
• Divorce/Custody decree

Please note: Some documents, like a U.S. birth certificate, show both U.S. citizenship and parental relationship. These documents must be originals or certified copies (not photocopies).

2. Show Parent Identification – The parents/guardians must present one of the following identification documents (IDs) to the acceptance agent: 

• In-state, fully-valid driver's license (If you present out-of-state identification, you must present an additional ID.)
• Valid or expired, undamaged, U.S. passport
• Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship 
• Government employee ID (city, county, state or federal)
• U.S. military ID or military dependent ID
• Valid foreign passport
• Matricula Consular (Mexican Consular Identification, commonly used by a parent of a U.S. citizen child applicant)

3. Show Parental Consent – Both parents/guardians must authorize the issuance of the child's passport. The best way to do this is for both parents/guardians to go with the child in person to apply for the passport. 

• Both parents should appear together and sign the application of the minor under the age of 16. 
• However, if only one parent appears and signs, that parent must submit the other parent's notarized Form DS-3053, Statement of Consent: Issuance of a Passport to a Minor Under Age 16 and provide a photocopy of the front and back of his or her ID. 
• Alternatively, a parent who appears alone and signs must submit one of the following forms of primary evidence of sole authority to apply: 
• Minor's certified U.S. or foreign birth certificate (with translation, if necessary) listing only applying parent; 
• or Consular Report of Birth Abroad, Form FS-240 or Certification of Birth Abroad, Form DS-1350 listing only applying parent; 
• or Court order granting sole custody to the applying parent (unless minor's travel is restricted by that order); 
• or Adoption decree (if applying parent is sole adopting parent); 
• or Court order specifically permitting applying parent's or guardian's travel with the minor; 
• or Judicial declaration of incompetence of non-applying parent; 
• or Death certificate of non-applying parent.

*For Parental Consent forms, please visit https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/requirements/forms.html. 

4. Passport Photos for Minors –  You must provide one photograph with your application. To avoid processing delays, be sure your photo meets all photo requirements listed under Apply for a Passport.  Passport Photo Services are available in the Ulster County Clerk’s Office.  Your photo can be taken at the time of application for a $10 service fee.  

Passports for children under 16 are only valid for 5 years and are not renewable.  Fees are as follows (effective 12/27/2021):

Children’s Passport Issuance Alert Program (CPIAP): 

Parents may enroll their U.S. citizen children under the age of 18 in the Children’s Passport Issuance Alert Program (CPIAP), one of the Department of State’s most important tools for preventing international parental child abduction.  If a passport application is submitted for a child who is enrolled in CPIAP, the Department of State attempts to alert the parent(s) to verify whether they approve passport issuance.

For more information, please visit https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/International-Parental-Child-Abduction/prevention/passport-issuance-alert-program.html