![How to Get a U.S. Passport for Your Baby [Step-By-Step]](https://upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Baby-on-white-background.jpg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=1200)
Chris holds a B.S. in Hospitality and Tourism Management and managed social media for all Marriott properties in South America, making him a perfect fit for UP and its social media channels. He has a .
Updated: August 30, 2024, 3:53am CDT44 Published Articles 3391 Edited Articles
Countries Visited: 50 U.S. States Visited: 28
With years of experience in corporate marketing and as the executive director of the American Chamber of Commerce in Qatar, Keri is now editor-in-chief at UP, overseeing daily content operations and r.
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As a new parent, you are constantly bombarded with information, tips, tricks, and the need for new knowledge that you never thought you would need to know.
If you aren’t mentally exhausted trying to keep up how many DCPD (Diaper Changes Per Day) is normal and why this new toy/stroller/car seat is so much better than the one you just had express shipped from Amazon — are you even really a parent? I kid.
What I am trying to convey is that even though you are constantly learning and simultaneously trying to keep a tiny human fed and clean, you can overlook some basic details.
For the purpose of this article we are going to focus on that little detail that, yes, if you want to take a person (regardless of their age) to a different country, they will need to have a passport!
And when you finally have your baby’s first passport (it’s really not that hard, I promise!), be sure to read our post on The Pros and Cons of Flying Business Class With a Baby!
Just like adults, children traveling to a foreign country will need a passport to leave the country.
Since this will be (likely) be the baby’s U.S. first passport, and the fact that they are under 16 years old, the application will need to be completed in person with both parents present. If both parents cannot be present, there are alternative options, which we will touch on below.
While the thought of passport paperwork may seem tedious, the process is pretty straightforward and, to be honest, probably pretty easy compared to other things new parents are dealing with. As long as you can follow instructions, you’ll be fine.
The hardest part for my wife and me was finding time during normal business hours to bring a baby with colic somewhere without messing up the nap schedule…
The only bad news (depending on your perspective) is that U.S. passports issued to travelers under the age of 16 are only valid for 5 years, compared to 10 years for those 16 or older.
So, depending on when you first apply for their passport, your child may need 4 passports by the time they are 16.
I mentioned perspective because my children have both U.S. and Brazilian passports, and their Brazilian passports need to be renewed more frequently.
For example, a passport for my 1-year-old is only valid for 1 year. A passport for a 2-year-old is only valid for 2 years, and so on until they reach 5.
So, my 5-year-old daughter was already on her third Brazilian passport before she had to renew her American one. It was inconvenient but makes sense when you see an immigration agent trying to match up a 4-month-old photo with a 4-year-old!
Now, let’s dig into what is needed to get your baby a passport!
Hot Tip: TSA does not require an ID for passengers under 18 flying on domestic flights as long as they are not flying by themselves. For more information, check out our post about what ID and documents your child needs to fly.
The U.S. Department of State actually does quite a nice job of clearly laying out what needs to be done to get your little one a passport.
But, like most government websites, it can be a little confusing to some, so let us break it down.
This should come as no surprise, but you will need to fill out some forms. In this case, you will need to fill out the DS-11 form which is specific to first-time applicants and children.
You have the option of filling it out online or downloading the PDF and completing it manually. Just be sure not to sign it until you are instructed to in person.
Hot Tip: You can request a larger passport with 52 pages for no additional cost by checking the “52-page” box on the top of the form.
Only U.S. citizens and non-citizen nationals are eligible to receive a United States passport and you will be required to prove your eligibility.
You must submit one of the following U.S. citizenship documents for your child and they must be an original or certified copy — photocopies and notarized copies will not be accepted.
If you cannot submit one of those acceptable documents, the State Department has some secondary options for you, which you can find here.
Once you have chosen which document you will be bringing to prove your child’s U.S. citizenship, you will also need to provide a photocopy of the document to submit with your DS-11 form.
Photocopies must be:
Bottom Line: Whichever document you choose, you will need to bring the original and a photocopy of it.
You will also need to submit documentation that lists the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) of the child applying for the passport.
To prove this, you can submit one of the following documents:
If you will be using the same document to prove citizenship and parental relationship, be sure to bring the original document or certified copy — not a photocopy.
During the interview/application process, the parents and/or guardians will be required to present their personal ID to the acceptance agent.
Acceptable forms of a primary photo ID include:
If you cannot provide one of the listed primary forms of ID, you may be able to present 2 forms of secondary ID.
Acceptable forms of secondary ID include (submit at least 2 from the list below):
You will be required to bring the original ID you plan to present and a photocopy to submit with the application.
The photocopy should be of the front and back of each ID that you plan to present to the acceptance agent.
To issue a passport to a child, both parents/guardians must authorize it. The best way to do this is for both parents/guardians to go with the child in person to apply for the passport.
Of course, in many cases, this is easier said than done. Here are some examples of what to do if you can’t get both parents together in person.
When you have the sole legal authority of the child, you must submit evidence of this with the application.
If 1 parent or guardian cannot go with the child to apply for the passport, they can give permission by completing Form DS-3053 “Statement of Consent”.
You must submit the completed form with the child’s passport application. The parent that cannot go with the child must:
Note that in certain countries, a DS-3053 must be notarized at a U.S. embassy or consulate and cannot be notarized by a local notary public.
For a current list of these countries, please visit the State Department website.
When you cannot locate the other parent or guardian you must submit Form DS-5525 “Statement of Exigent/Special Family Circumstances”.
You will be asked to:
When neither parent or guardian can appear, a third-party may apply for the child’s passport with a notarized statement from both parents/guardians giving the third-party permission to apply for the child.
Hot Tip: Written authorization from the parent that cannot appear in person must be less than 3 months old.
Now the fun part — trying to get a decent passport photo of a young child or even a newborn!
You have been training for this with hundreds of Instagram photos of your little one sleeping or playing with their toys, now you have a real challenge… trying to get them to stay still, looking at the camera, with a solid white background behind them. Good luck!
Although some passport acceptance facilities offer photo services, you should bring your own just in case your little one decides to put up a fight at showtime.
Hot Tip: Did you know you can take your own passport photo at home? Check out our guide to taking your own passport photo for details and guidelines.
Although some of the best things in life are free, passports are not.
Currently, you should expect to spend at least $135 for a passport book ($100) and the acceptance fee ($35).
You can add a passport card, which is good for land and sea border crossings to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda for an additional $15.
Passport fees are subject to change.
Since the application fee and acceptance fee are separate, they also have different payment options.
Application Fee Payment Methods:
$35 Execution (Acceptance) Fee, Paid Separately:
Please verify payment methods with the acceptance facility ahead of time.
Hot Tip: If you think you may want a passport card at some point, request it at the same time as your passport to avoid an additional $35 acceptance fee.
Finally, now that all of the paperwork is complete, you can actually apply!
If you are applying for your child’s passport from inside the United States, you will need to bring the completed application, citizenship evidence, photocopy of ID, photo, and fees, in-person to a passport acceptance facility.
You can search for a passport acceptance facility near you here.
If you are applying for your child’s passport from abroad, the process is very similar but may vary by country. Contact your U.S. Embassy and Consulate for specific instructions.
Hot Tip: Did you just realize that you need a passport for your child for an upcoming trip and can’t wait the average 6-8 weeks? You may be eligible for “Get A Passport In A Hurry” which can greatly reduce your wait time!
Once your application is submitted it can take between 6-8 weeks before it is approved and delivered to you under normal circumstances.
You can track the status of the application online or by phone starting about a week after you submitted your application.
To track your application by phone, call 877-487-2778 with the following information:
To track your application online simply access the Online Passport Status System. You can even sign up for automatic email updates!
Yes, this seems like a lot of work. But once you break it all down, it is just 1 form and some basic information that you probably already have laying around your house.
Assuming you follow all of the instructions, your little traveler should have his or her passport in no time.
Getting your child a passport is one of the greatest gifts a parent can give a child because it opens the world to them.
And I know, from experience, that traveling the world with my children has become one of my greatest pleasures. I hope it will become one of yours, too!
Featured Image Credit: gpointstudio via FreepikEvery citizen of the United States, independent of age (even newborn infants), is required to have a valid passport when traveling outside the United States. There is an exception for travel on a closed-loop cruise or travel by land to Canada.
The entire processing time for applying for a passport for a newborn or child can take 6 to 8 weeks. However, expedited processing is available for an additional fee.
Parents or guardians must appear with the child when applying for a passport and must sign the DS-11 form in front of the passport agent. If both parents /guardians are available, both must appear, or one may appear and bring a signed the documentation listed in this article.
Children of any age can get a passport. All passport applicants under 16 must apply in person using Form DS-11. You can not use Form DS-82 to renew your passport. Please note: passports for children under 16 are only valid for 5 years.
No, children applicants under 16 are not eligible to mail in their passport applications. Additionally, the Department of State does not currently have the option to submit passport applications online.
Some acceptance facilities require appointments and others do not. We recommend calling the acceptance facility ahead of time to verify their hours, acceptable forms of payment, and appointment requirements.
The cost of your U.S. passport will depend on the type of passport you request and how quickly you need it. See Passport Fees for more information on the cost of a U.S. passport book or a U.S. passport card and all associated services.
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Chris holds a B.S. in Hospitality and Tourism Management and managed social media for all Marriott properties in South America, making him a perfect fit for UP and its social media channels. He has a passion for making content catered toward family travelers.
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