How (and When) to Get a Passport for Your Child
After the lifting of masks and travel restrictions, you may be considering a long-distance vacation with your family. If you plan to fly to another country, everyone will need a passport, including your children. But do not expect to do it quickly (without paying decent money, and even then “quickly” is debatable). The process of obtaining an official government-issued ID for children traveling internationally takes time and must be done in person. Here’s what you need to know.
At what age does a child need a passport?
Whether your baby was born eight weeks or eight years ago, they will need a passport to leave the country by air. According to AmericanPassport.com , “Every US citizen, regardless of age, must have a passport in order to travel abroad. Newborn babies, babies and toddlers need a passport to leave and enter another country.”
How to apply for a children’s passport?
The first step is to complete the DS-11 form for your child. You will be required to provide information such as their gender, social security number ( which may take weeks to receive after your newborn’s Social Security application is submitted ), weight and hair color, your travel plans, and emergency contact information. Be prepared to provide personal information, including your citizenship status and valid passport information. Complete the form, but do not sign it until you are in the presence of an authorized agent at an official passport collection point .
You must also provide a 2-by-2-inch color photograph of your child (with a white background) taken within the last six months to accompany the DS-11 form. It can be difficult to get newborns and infants to open their eyes during a passport photo; if possible, make sure they are not minutes from bedtime.
All persons under the age of 16 are considered minors when applying for a passport, and the application must be submitted in person in the presence of both parents or legal guardians. (If one parent is unable to attend, you will need a notarized Statement of Consent signed by the absent parent or guardian.) A child aged 16 or over can apply for a passport as an adult.
Provide proof of US citizenship
In order to support your child’s application, you must provide evidence of US citizenship in the form of an original or certified physical copy of a US birth certificate, a consular report of a foreign birth, or a birth certificate or certificate of citizenship. (Photocopies, notarized copies, and digital proof of citizenship will not be accepted.)
However, in addition to a physical copy of your birth certificate, you will need to provide photocopies of the front and back of your birth certificate or other proof of citizenship. See full instructions here .
The birth certificate will serve as proof of the relationship of the parents, which is also required. Collect your ID (passport, driver’s license, certificate of naturalization or other valid ID and a photocopy) and make an appointment at the nearest passport collection point .
How much does a passport cost?
When applying for a new passport for a child under 16, you can expect to pay a fee of $135 (Standard Processing). The current acceptance fee (which must be paid at a passport office such as a post office, library, or other municipal building) is $35. There is a separate filing fee (which must be sent to the US Department of State). Passport books for children under 16 cost $100. (There is a $15 passport “card”, but it’s not valid for international air travel; it’s only valid for land or sea entry into the US from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.)
How long does it take to get a passport?
At the time of this writing, typical processing times are between eight and 11 weeks. (This is subject to change – timeline updates can be found here .) Expedited processing (five to seven weeks) is available for an additional $60 fee. Once issued, a child’s passport is valid for five years.