Do I need my child's father present to renew his passport?

Unfortunately for a child passport, there is no renewal option. It’s considered a new passport every time until the minor is 16 years or older. Once the applicant is 16 or older, they can apply for a new adult passport. But every time it’s a new passport, the mail in option is not available. The mail in option is ONLY for adult passport renewals less than five years expired. All child passport applications will need both parents present (or notarized consent).

I didn't even need to be present for my own passport, I did it all by mail. So NO. My passport was less than 15 year old though. So I believe it depends on how long ago your child's passport expired, and then it's just filling out paperwork. I think you have 5 years from the expiration date.