Q. How do I renew my child’s US passport? Do both parents need to be present at the interview?

Applying for your child’s US passport is a simple process that requires the appropriate documentation along with the consent of both parents for children under the age of 16. If the child is between the ages of 16 and 18, one parent must be present and sign the passport application with the child in front of the consular officer.

To renew your child’s passport, you will need to fill out the DS-11 passport application form. We recommend that you fill out this form online through our website to save time during your appointment. You can access the form here: https://pptform.state.gov/passportwizardmain.aspx.

Parents are required to present the child’s original birth certificate along with the child’s current passport if they have one. If your child was born outside the United States, the original Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) should be presented in lieu of a US birth certificate. The application should also include a passport-sized photo, and children are required to be present for the interview.

Parents listed on the child’s birth documentation will need to present government-issued identification such as a driver’s licence or passport. If both parents live in Jamaica, they are required to be present at the interview.

Children can change a lot in a short period of time. If your child no longer clearly resembles the photograph in the prior passport, then bring photographs showing your child’s face for each consecutive year since the prior passport was issued.

Q. What if one parent is not currently in Jamaica?

If either or both parents are not currently in Jamaica, then a consent form will need to be submitted by the parent/legal guardian that is not present at time of the passport application. A DS-3053 Statement of Consent can be accessed through our website (https://eforms.state.gov/Forms/ds3053.pdf ) and needs to be signed and notarised either in the United States by a licensed notary or by a consular officer at the US Embassy. Jamaican notaries will not be accepted for the DS-3053 Statement of Consent form. When presenting this form, the person applying for the passport should have the notarised copy of the consenting parent’s or legal guardian’s government issued identification. Please present the original form during the interview; copied or e-mailed DS-3053 forms will not be accepted. If either parent listed on the child’s birth documentation does not provide consent, and a legal custody order is not provided to reflect a change to the child’s custodial parentage ( ie mom or dad are no longer in the picture, a court has recognised this through a court order), then a passport for the child cannot be issued.

If the review of a passport application has to be suspended due to missing documentation and/or consent from both parents, the application will remain active for 90 days before being denied.

Q. Is an appointment required for my child’s passport renewal?

Scheduling an appointment for your child’s passport renewal is required. You can schedule your appointment on our website at your convenience, by visiting https://jm.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/appointments/. The required forms and fee schedule can also be found online and fees can be paid during your appointment. If all necessary documentation is provided during the interview, your child’s US passport will be processed and delivered within two to three weeks.

The latest information on our operating status can be found on our website at www.jm.usembassy.gov or by visiting www.travel.state.gov. Keep on top of Embassy news on our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/USEmbassyJamaica/ and by following @USEmbassyJA on Twitter. We also answer general consular questions on our Facebook and Twitter pages.