How Do You Get A Passport For A Baby?
To get a baby's passport, both parents must appear in person with the baby at an acceptance facility, bring the birth certificate, photo, and the DS-11 form.
Quick Answer
To obtain a passport for baby, you must apply in person at an authorized passport acceptance facility, such as a post office or county clerk office. Both parents or legal guardians must appear with the child to present proof of citizenship, parental relationship, and valid identification. If one parent cannot be present, a notarized Form DS-3053 must be submitted to satisfy federal consent requirements.
The application process requires Form DS-11, a certified birth certificate, and a compliant two by two inch photo of the infant. Passports for children under age 16 are valid for five years and cannot be renewed by mail. You should account for several weeks of processing time, plus additional weeks for shipping, unless you pay for expedited service or have urgent international travel plans.
Navigating the DS-11 Application and Documentation
The foundation of the application process is Form DS-11. Unlike adult renewals, you cannot renew a passport for baby using Form DS-82. Every minor applicant must use the DS-11 form regardless of whether they have held a passport previously. I recommend filling out the form online using the official government portal to ensure clarity, then printing it out. Do not sign the application until you are instructed to do so by the authorized agent at the acceptance facility. Signing early can void the document and force you to start the process over from scratch.
In addition to the form, you must provide proof of the baby's U.S. citizenship. The most common document is an original or certified physical copy of a U.S. birth certificate. This document serves a dual purpose as it also establishes your parental relationship to the child. If the child was born abroad, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad or a Certificate of Citizenship is required. You must also provide a black and white photocopy of the citizenship evidence to be kept by the government. The original documents will be mailed back to you separately from the new passport.
Finally, both parents must present their own valid government issued identification, such as a driver's license or a current adult passport. You are required to submit photocopies of the front and back of each parent's ID. If only one parent has sole legal custody, you must provide legal documentation proving this status, such as a court order or a birth certificate that lists only one parent. Handling these documents correctly the first time prevents delays that often occur when paperwork is incomplete or illegible.
Satisfying the Two Parent Consent Rule
Federal law requires both parents or legal guardians to provide consent for the issuance of a passport for baby. This rule is designed to prevent international parental child abduction. The easiest way to satisfy this requirement is for both parents to go to the acceptance facility together with the infant. During the appointment, the agent will verify the identities of both adults and witness the signing of the DS-11 form. This is the most straightforward path and minimizes the risk of administrative errors that could stall the application.
If one parent is absolutely unable to attend the appointment, the appearing parent must bring a notarized Form DS-3053, also known as the Statement of Consent. The non appearing parent must complete this form and sign it in the presence of a mobile or stationary notary public. The notarized form is only valid for 90 days from the date of the signature. You must also bring a clear photocopy of the front and back of the non appearing parent’s ID that was presented to the notary. In cases where one parent is deceased or missing, specialized forms or court documents are required to prove sole authority.
In rare situations where a parent cannot be reached and a notarized consent form is unobtainable, you may need to file Form DS-5525, which is a Statement of Exigent or Special Family Circumstances. This form requires detailed explanations and, in most cases, supporting evidence such as a restraining order or incarceration records. The Department of State evaluates these on a case by case basis and does not guarantee approval. For most families, coordinating a single visit or securing the notarized DS-3053 is the necessary hurdle for a successful application.
Mastering the Baby Passport Photo Technique
Capturing a compliant photo of a newborn or infant is often the most stressful part of the process. The government requires the baby to be facing the camera with their eyes open and no other people or objects in the frame. This means you cannot hold the baby in your arms while the photo is taken. A common trick I suggest is laying the baby on their back on a plain white sheet or blanket. This provides the required neutral background while keeping the baby comfortable and safe. Ensure there are no shadows on the face by using natural, overhead lighting.
Another effective method involves placing the baby in a car seat that has been draped with a white sheet. This helps keep the head relatively straight and prevents the baby from rolling during the photo session. It is acceptable if a baby's eyes are not perfectly directed at the lens or if their eyes are partially closed, though the government prefers them to be open. However, no hands should be visible, and the baby should not be wearing a hat, headband, or pacifier. Even small accessories like bows can result in a rejected photo, which necessitates a second trip to the facility.
The photo must be two inches by two inches in size and printed on matte or glossy photo quality paper. Many pharmacies and shipping centers offer passport photo services, but they sometimes struggle with infants. If you take the photo at home, use a high quality printing service rather than a standard home office printer to ensure the resolution and color balance meet federal standards. Once you have the photo, do not staple it to the DS-11 form. Let the acceptance agent handle the attachment to avoid damaging the image or the barcode on the application.
Choosing a Facility and Managing Costs
You must submit the application at an official passport acceptance facility. Most people utilize local post offices, but public libraries and clerk of court offices also frequently offer these services. It is important to remember that most facilities require an appointment, which can be booked weeks in advance. During peak travel seasons, such as spring and early summer, appointments fill up quickly. I recommend checking the online reservation systems for multiple zip codes if your local office is fully booked. You can find these locations easily through the Department of State website.
The cost of a passport for baby includes two separate payments. The application fee is paid directly to the U.S. Department of State and typically ranges from 80 to 120 dollars for a passport book. A separate execution fee, usually around 35 dollars, is paid to the acceptance facility for processing the paperwork. You must be prepared with two different forms of payment. Acceptance facilities often take credit cards or cash for their fee, but the Department of State fee typically must be paid via check or money order. Always call ahead to confirm the specific payment methods accepted at your chosen location.
If you need the passport quickly, you can pay an additional fee for expedited service. This fee generally costs around 60 dollars extra. Even with expedited service, the processing time can take several weeks. For families with international travel departing in less than two or three weeks, you may need to visit a Regional Passport Agency. These agencies usually require proof of urgent travel and are located in major metropolitan areas. Most families find that standard or routine expedited service via the post office is sufficient if they plan at least three months before their departure date.
Validity and Future Renewals
A passport issued to a child under the age of 16 is valid for five years. This is significantly shorter than the ten year validity period for adult passports. The rationale behind this is that a child's appearance changes rapidly during their early years. Because the passport is only valid for five years, you will likely need to repeat this entire process at least twice before your child reaches adulthood. It is vital to track the expiration date because many countries require a passport to be valid for at least six months beyond the date of entry.
When the five year period ends, you cannot simply mail in the old passport to get a new one. You must go through the in person application process again, including the two parent consent rule and the submission of a new DS-11 form. You will need to bring the old passport as proof of citizenship, but you will also need to provide a new photo that reflects the child's current appearance. The old passport will be canceled and returned to you, often serving as a sentimental record of your child's early travels.
Once the child turns 16, they become eligible for a ten year passport. At that age, their application requirements shift slightly, though they still use the DS-11 form for their first adult strength document. For now, maintaining a valid five year passport ensures that your family can travel spontaneously without the stress of last minute renewals. Keeping the original birth certificate and previous passports in a secure fireproof safe will make the recurring application process much smoother as the child grows.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do babies need their own passport for domestic flights? No, children under the age of 18 typically do not need a passport or photo identification for domestic travel within the United States when accompanied by an adult. However, it is always a good idea to carry a copy of the birth certificate to verify the child's age if questioned by the airline.
Can I take the passport photo myself? Yes, you can take the photo at home as long as it meets all technical requirements. It must be a two by two inch square, have a plain white background, and be printed on photo quality paper with the correct head proportions. Using a white sheet behind the baby is the most common way to achieve this.
How long does it take to get a baby's passport? Routine processing usually takes between six and nine weeks, though these timelines fluctuate based on seasonal demand. Expedited service can reduce this to three to five weeks. These estimates do not include the time it takes for the mail to deliver the documents to and from the processing centers.
What if the father's name is not on the birth certificate? If the birth certificate lists only the mother, the mother has sole legal authority and can apply for the passport alone. She simply presents the birth certificate as proof of her sole authority, and no additional consent forms or the presence of the second parent are required by the acceptance facility.
Bottom Line
Securing a passport for baby requires careful attention to the DS-11 form, the two parent consent rule, and strict photo guidelines. By gathering your certified birth certificates, arranging for both parents to attend the appointment, and capturing a clear photo against a white background, you can avoid common processing delays. While the five year validity means you will repeat this process sooner than your own renewal, proactive planning ensures your infant is ready for global adventures whenever they arise.