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Passport Services for Minors (Under 16 years of age)

All U.S. passport applicants under the age of 16 must appear in person at the Embassy in Helsinki

In order to enhance the accurate identification of passport applicants and aid in the prevention of international child abduction and trafficking, the Department of State now requires the personal appearance of all minors applying for U.S. passports. Therefore, all passport applicants under the age of 16 will have to appear in person at the Embassy in Helsinki. This requirement applies even if the child has previously been issued a passport, regardless of place and date of issuance. The personal appearance requirement for all minors is a further step towards ensuring the integrity of the passport application process.

The passport-by-mail program is limited to applicants age 16 and over, who are renewing a previously issued 10-year passport. Anyone under the age of 16 must apply in person at the U.S. Embassy in Helsinki.

In general, you must apply for your passport using form DSP-11 if:

  • You have never had a passport issued in your own name;
  • You are under the age of 16;
  • You are not able to submit your most recently issued U.S. passport;
  • Your most recent passport was issued before you were 16 years of age;
  • Your most recent passport was issued more than 15 years ago;
  • You are requesting a change in identifying data other than a name change due to marriage or divorce, or
  • You have been advised to apply in person for the passport.

Application form for Passport Renewal (DSP-11) in English

Please follow the instructions on this printed sheet. All information contained on the reverse of the application form DSP-11 should be disregarded, except for the notices regarding federal tax law and the Privacy Act statement.

IF YOU ARE APPLYING FOR A U.S. PASSPORT ON BEHALF OF A CHILD UNDER THE AGE OF 16:

You will need to:

  1. Apply in person. Please schedule for an appointment by calling 09-6162 5701 or email HelsinkiACS@state.gov. Appointments are scheduled from Monday through Thursday between 09.00 am - 11.30am.
  2. Submit the child's most recent passport, if available or other evidence of U.S. citizenship.
  3. Both parents must accompany the child to the appointment and sign the passport application at that time before a U.S. consular officer. The only exceptions to this requirement follow.  
  • If only one parent can be present, the other parent must sign a statement of consent (form DS-3053) authorizing passport issuance for the child. Please note, that this statement must be signed and notarized by a public notary. Applying parents may use the form supplied by the Department (DS-3053) or an affidavit of their own.

    More information on notary services in Finland and public notaries in Finland

Statement of consent form (DS-3053) in English  

  • A parent with sole custody over a child under the age of 16 must be present with the child, and must submit primary evidence of sole custody or legal guardianship to apply.
  1. Both parents must submit evidence of identity (copy of passport, driver's license, or other photo I.D.)
  2. Proof of parentage: You will need to submit one of the following:
  • Certified U.S. birth certificate, (either vital statistics or Department of Health) with parents' names; or
  • Certified foreign birth certificate in Finland ( "virkatodistus") available from you local magistrate. (with parents' names and translation, if necessary;) or
  • Consular Report of Birth Abroad (Form FS-240) (with parents' names); or
  • Adoption Decree (with adopting parents' names); or
  • Court Order establishing custody or guardianship.
  • Note: If you and your child have different last names it will be necessary for you to submit documentation that establishes your connection to the child (marriage or divorce record, or court ordered name change).
  1. Two identical passport photos are required , which must be 2" x 2" (or 5 x 5 cm). They must be in color and must have a white or off-white background. The size of the head from the chin to the top of the head should not be smaller than 1" (2.5 cm) and not larger than 1 3/8" (3.5 cm). The photos should be a full front view with no head covering. Both ears should be visible. Please be aware that the Embassy will reject any photographs that do not conform to U.S. passport standards (i.e. photo to small, head size to small, not identical, out of focus, dark background).
  2. Passport fee: Please see under Fees and Payment methods.
  3. Pre-paid (4,65 euros), registered mail delivery, self-addressed return envelope so that we can forward the new passport back to you.