Knox County Tennessee

1. Submit Proof of U.S. Citizenship (for minors under age 16)

For Minors under Age 16 you must establish proof of citizenship AND proof of relationship.  Previous U.S. passports are not acceptable as proof of relationship to the applying parent(s)/guardian(s).  See number 3 below for proof of relationship.
For proof of citizenship, you will need to submit one of the following:

• Certified U.S. birth certificate; or
• Previous fully valid U.S. Passport; or
• Report of Birth Abroad (Form FS-240); or
• Certification of Birth Abroad (Form DS-1350); or
• Certificate of Citizenship or Naturalization from USCIS.

NOTE: A certified birth certificate has a registrar's raised, embossed, Impressed or multicolored seal, registrar's signature, and the Date the certificate was filed with the registrar's office, which must be within 1 year of your birth

Click here for information on the Child Citizenship Act of 2000

2.  Present Evidence of Child's Relationship to Parents/Guardians (for minors
     under age 16)

Note: Previous U.S. passports are not acceptable as proof of relationship to the applying parent(s)/guardian(s).
You will need to submit one of the following:

• Certified U.S. birth certificate (with parents' names); or
• Certified Foreign Birth Certificate (with parents' names and translation, if necessary); or
• Report of Birth Abroad (Form FS-240) (with parents' names); or
• Certification of Birth Abroad ( Form DS-1350) (with parents' names); or
• Adoption Decree ( with adopting parents' names); or
• Court Order Establishing Custody; or
• Court Order Establishing Guardianship.

NOTE: If the parent(s)'/guardian's name(s) is/are other than that on these documents, evidence of legal name change is required.

3.  Provide Parental Identification (for minors under age 16)

Each parent or guardian must submit one of the following:

• Valid Drivers License
• Valid Official U.S. Military ID
• Valid U.S. Gov't ID
• Valid U.S. or Foreign Passport with recognizable photo
• Naturalization/Citizenship Certificate from USCIS with recognizable photo
• Alien Resident Card from USCIS

NOTE: Your Social Security Card does NOT prove your identity.
If none of these are available , you will need:

1. Some signature documents, not acceptable alone as ID

(example: a combination of documents, such as your Social Security card, credit card, bank card, library card, etc.)

AND

1. A person who can vouch for you. He/she must

• Have known you for at least 2 years,
• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident,
• Have valid ID, and
• Fill out a Form DS-71 in the presence of a passport agent.

4.  Present Parental Application Permission Documentation
     (for minors under age 16)

1. Both parents must appear together and sign or
2. One parent appears, signs, and submits second parent's notarized statement of consent authorizing passport issuance for the child (a notarized  Form DS-3053, Statement of Consent: Issuance of a Passport to a Minor Under Age 16, or a notarized written statement with the same information on a sheet of paper from the non-appearing parent) or
3. One parents appears, signs, and submits primary evidence of sole authority to apply (such as one of the following):

• Child'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 child's travel is restricted by that order); or
• Adoption decree (if applying parents is sole adopting parent); or
• Court order specifically permitting applying parent's or guardian's travel with the child; or
• Judicial declaration of incompetence of non-applying parent; or
• Death certificate of non-applying parent.

If none of the above documentation is available, the applying parent/guardian should submit a Form DS-3053: Statement of Consent or Special Circumstances: Issuance of a Passport to a Minor Under Age 16.

NOTE:
A third-party in loco parentis applying on behalf of a minor under the age of 16 must submit a notarized written statement or affidavit from both parents or guardians authorizing a third-party to apply for a passport. When the statement or affidavit is from only one parent/guardian, the third-party must present evidence of sole custody of the authorizing parent/guardian.