Both Parents Must Be Present

First time applicants must complete an Application for a U.S. Passport (Form DS-11) available online through the US State Department website and in person at the MSU Passport Acceptance Facility. Note: A separate DS-11 form must be completed for each minor applicant. Applications should be completed prior to your appointment with the MSU Passport Acceptance Facility.

Very Important: When presenting a passport to prove citizenship of a child, a birth certificate listing the names of the parents is also required to verify the parents’ relationship to the child.

The parent(s) listed on the birth certificate or on the legal document granting custody or guardianship must be present to sign the passport application in the presence of the Passport Acceptance Clerk. 

If one parent cannot be present, a completed and notarized Form DS-3053, Statement of Consent for A Minor Under Age 16, must be presented along with a front and back photocopy of the non-appearing parent’s photo ID (example: driver license).

Submit the following documents and payments with the completed Form DS-11: 

  1. Original proof of U.S. citizenship: (Photocopies are not acceptable)
    1. Original or certified copy of a U.S. birth certificate (Birth certificates may be obtained at http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/w2w.htm
    2. Original Social Security Card
    3. Naturalization Certificate
    4. Consular Report of Birth Abroad
    5. U.S. Passport that is not damaged. 
    6. Proof of parental legal guardian relationship to a minor applicant must be submitted.
  2. Examples include: 
    1. Original or certified birth certificate or document showing legal custody or guardianship. 
    2. Documents must be in English or have a certified English translation; photocopies are not acceptable. 
  3. Two Required Payments
    1. 1st payment: Payable to U.S. Department of State (Check, money order, or cashiers check only.)
    2. 2nd payment: MSU Passport Acceptance Facility  fees (Payable by check, money order, cash, or credit / debit card).
  4. Photo identification of parent(s): Parents may use their valid driver’s license, valid passport, military ID, or Naturalization Certificate that readily identifies the holder. The parent(s) must submit supplemental ID if driver’s license is out-of-state.   Each parent or legal guardian must submit photo identification for verification.  Photocopies of the front and back of the ID must be submitted with the application.
  5. One (1) Passport Photo, meeting passport office requirements, taken within the last six months. Passport photo services can be provided by MSU Passport Acceptance Facility for $15.00. 

U.S. Birth Certificate Requirement 

  • Since April 1, 2011, the U.S. Department of State requires the full names of the applicant’s parent(s) to be listed on all certified birth certificates to be considered as primary evidence of U.S. citizenship and for parental identity for all passport applicants, regardless of age. Certified birth certificates missing this information will not be acceptable as evidence of citizenship.