Does My Baby Need a Passport?
If you're planning a trip with your infant—or you're just curious—you might be wondering if babies need passports. We've got everything you need to know, right here.
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Fact checked by Karen Cilli
Family trips can make lasting memories, but planning them can be a big undertaking. If you’re going to be leaving the country, you will need to make sure all of your family members have an up-to-date passport, babies included.
That’s right—even a tiny infant requires a passport to enter a different country. Getting your baby their own passport is a multi-step process that you’ll need to leave some time for.
We talked with the experts to get the lowdown on exactly what you need to do to get a passport for your littlest travel companion. Ahead, find all the details, including what documents you need, how to go about the process, and more.
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Are Passports Required for Babies to Travel Internationally?
Your baby needs their own passport to travel from one country to another. Any person traveling internationally must have a passport, regardless of their age.
“I see this question come up frequently in our law practice, and the answer is yes, even babies need a passport to travel internationally,” says Renata Castro, Esq., an immigration attorney with Castro Legal Group. “At times, babies may even need a visa issued by the country of travel in order to accompany an adult on a trip.”
How to Get a Passport for a Baby
Getting a passport for your baby is the same process as getting a passport for any minor under the age of 16. “The process for getting a passport for a baby is not very different from getting one for an adult,” adds Nadia Podrabinek, a travel expert and the founder of Why This Place. “There are similar forms to complete and documentation to submit.”
Here’s exactly how to get your baby a passport:
Make an Appointment
Yes, passport appointments for children must be done in person, and you will need to locate a passport office or a post office that processes a minor's passport. It’s wise to do this as soon as you know you’re going to travel so you have enough time to complete the process. “Children under age 16 cannot renew their passport online or by mail for security reasons,” says Castro.
Fill Out Form DS-11
You can get this form at the post office or you can print it out via the U.S. Department of State’s website. Fill it out completely but do not sign it. You will need to sign the form when prompted at your appointment.
Obtain a Passport Photo
You can usually do this at the post office or your local drugstore. It must be an approved photo, so it's typically advised not to take your own. However, if you choose to do so, be sure to refer to the specific guidelines on the U.S. Department of State's website.
What Documentation Do I Need for My Baby's Passport?
Once you've completed Form DS-11 and have prepared an approved photo, collect the required documentation. You will need:
Proof of your child’s citizenship, which is either an original birth certificate with a raised seal or a certificate of citizenship
Two copies of your child’s passport photo
Both parents’ IDs
Proof of parentage, which is either the original birth certificate with a raised seal or an adoption decree
Both parents must attend the appointment along with the child. If this is not possible, such as when one parent is ill or cannot be reached, there are special forms that must be filled out ahead of time.
It is important to check with the country you are traveling to in case you need to get a visa or in case any additional requirements need to be fulfilled before departure.
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How Long Does a Baby's Passport Last?
While an adult passport is valid for 10 years, passports for children under age 16 last for only five years. Passports for young children expire sooner than adults’ because their appearance changes more as they grow and develop.
After that period of time, you will need to renew your child's passport and provide new documents as proof of identity. “In the U.S., it is recommended to start the renewal process at least six months prior to the expiration date in order to avoid any delays,” says Podrabinek.
How Long Does It Take to Get My Baby's Passport?
Getting a passport takes time, regardless of age. So, if you have a trip coming up with your little one, start the process as soon as you know you’ll be traveling to be sure you’ll have their passport in time.
Even if your trip is far off into the future, it’s wise to get those passports all set and ready first thing. “I learned this the hard way,” says Angelina Meilani, a mom of two boys in San Francisco. “We could barely get an appointment and the expedited passports were taking two weeks longer than standard due to the COVID-19 pandemic.”
My Baby Doesn’t Have a Passport—What Should I Do?
If you need to travel and there is not enough time for you to obtain a passport, you may be able to get one overnight. To do this, you generally need to have proof of an emergency, such as a death in the family and you must already have tickets for a flight taking off in the immediate future. “We ended up getting the passports at the Federal Building,” says Meilani. “There was a lot of waiting in line that day, but they were there for us to pick up in an envelope the next day.”
Even if you don’t need to travel abroad right now, it’s a good idea to make sure that your children have up-to-date passports in case of emergency travel. “Remember that even if your baby has dual citizenship, only the American passport will secure entry in the U.S.A.,” says Castro.
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Read the original article on Parents.
