Indian passport for minor children under the age of 18 years can be applied in the USA.
Passport validity
- Under the age of 15 years:
The validity of the passport is 5 years or until they are 18 years of age, whichever is earlier. - 15-18 years:
10 years validity passport is issued.
Separate passport
A separate passport for each person including each minor is necessary in his/her own name. Endorsement of a child’s name in the parent’s passport is not allowed any longer.
Signature Specifications for Minors
Passport application for a minor child must be signed by both parents / both Guardians (in case of a stepchild.)
Additionally, a signature of a minor child 5 years of age or older must be done in the box alongside the photograph on Page 1 of the Online Passport Application Form. The signature must not be outside the box. Additionally, the signatures are required on Page 2 and 3.
The signed pages must be notarized.
Thumb impression
Left thumb impression for boys and right thumb impression for girls is necessary for the application form for under child under the age of 5 years. Use only a BLACK or BLUE inkpad. Thumb impressions must not be outside the box.
Passport pages
When the passport to minors is issued for 5 years only, they can get only 36 pages booklet. They can’t apply for a 60 pages booklet.
Additional Documents
- Address proof of parents/guardian or minor
- Passport copy of both parents/guardian, first and last page
- Annexure D, Declaration by applicant’s parent(s) or guardian for the issue of passport to the minor.
- Birth certificate of the applicant.
- Proof of legal status of both parents/guardian, self-attested copy.
If either of the parents is deceased, a notarized copy of the death certificate.
If parents are divorced, a photocopy of a divorce decree and custodianship order of the court. - Annexure C, if one parent has not given consent for various reasons.
- Except for the newborn child applying for the first time, an application for change of appearance is required on every renewal until the child turns 18 years old. A photo must be glued on the form and it must be notarized.
- If the child is on Adjustment of Status (I-485), photocopy of parents EAD along with the child’s I-485 receipt notice.
- If the child’s name is endorsed on either parent’s passport, submit the original passport of that parent. Additionally, a notarized photocopy of the endorsement page, and first five and last 2 pages of the passport of parent’s passport is required. The passport would be issued to the minor child and the child’s name would be deleted from the passport of that parent.
- If the child is born out of wedlock, notarized Appendix 27 must be submitted.
- Annexure I – In case the child is born through surrogacy.
Indian Passport for a US-Born Child of Indian Parentage
A child born in the USA is a U.S. citizen by birth. If such a child is born to Indian Parentage, an Indian passport can be obtained for a U.S.-born child if:
- The birth of the child is registered at an Indian mission in the U.S.
- The child has not obtained a U.S. passport
- Both the parents must sign a declaration of non-acquisition of a U.S. nationality by the child and consent to issue of an Indian passport to the child.
- Copy of the child’s birth certificate
