Can You Travel With A Baby Without A Passport: Are you preparing for an overseas journey with your newest family member? To obtain a passport for your baby, there are certain requirements and steps you need to take well ahead of your departure and arrival.
As if being a new parent wasn’t demanding enough! If you’re thinking about going on a trip shortly after your baby is born, you’re likely in a frenzy trying to organize everything and prepare for the adventure of flying with an infant.
It’s understandable that any sleep-deprived, hormonal, and recovering parent would feel apprehensive. After all, finding a spare five minutes for a shower can be a challenge, let alone taking on the responsibility of planning your family’s travel arrangements.
Can You Travel With A Baby Without A Passport
Planning an international trip? You might be pondering whether your little one needs a passport. Well, the answer is a resounding yes! Regardless of age, every individual requires a passport when traveling from one country to another.
Getting a passport for a baby isn’t as simple as clicking a button, even in this digital era. It involves multiple steps, both parents being present, and a good amount of thoughtful preparation.
It may seem overwhelming to add to your list of new-mom responsibilities, but with the proper knowledge and support, you can definitely handle it. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to obtain a U.S. passport for your baby.
Steps To Get A US Passport For A New Born Baby
Step 1: Begin by downloading the DS-11 form
For families who travel frequently or have a planned trip to a destination outside of the U.S., it is prudent to initiate the process of obtaining your baby’s passport as soon as possible.
In order to commence the application procedure, the initial step necessitates undertaking the subsequent actions (which can be conveniently accomplished within the confines of your home):
- Access the U.S. Passports section on Travel.State.gov through a new window.
- Download Form DS-11 and carefully assess the initial paperwork requirements.
- Proceed to “Apply for or Renew My Passport” and select “Children Under 16” from the left tab. The concise two-page form will prompt you to provide general personal information, including your baby’s Social Security number.
If your baby has not yet been allocated a Social Security number, it is necessary for the parents or legal guardians to furnish a statement that is signed and dated, and includes the exact phrase: “I hereby declare, under penalty of perjury in accordance with the laws of the United States of America, that the following statement is both true. The Social Security Administration has never issued a Social Security number to (Child’s full name).
The current fee for a minor’s passport amounts to $115, comprising of an application fee of $80 and an acceptance fee of $35. It is important to note that this fee is applicable only for the passport book, as the passport card cannot be utilised for international air travel. For those in need of expedited service, an extra charge of $60 is required.
Step 2: Collect the necessary documents
n order to secure a passport for your child, you must present evidence of her U.S. citizenship, proof of her parental relationship, and identification verification. To facilitate this process, you will need to gather the specified documents. For a full list and any possible exemptions, please refer to Travel.State.gov.
Proof of U.S. Citizenship
To establish your child’s U.S. citizenship, you can provide one of the following pieces of evidence, which should be an original or certified physical copy:
- A completely valid and unharmed U.S. passport that has expired
- A genuine U.S. birth certificate
- An official certificate of citizenship
Please ensure that along with the selected original document, you provide a photocopy that is clear and legible. The photocopy should be on standard white 8.5” x 11” paper, printed in black and white ink, and single-sided.
Evidence of Parental Relationship
Proof indicating the child’s parents or legal guardians can be one of the following:
- American birth certificate
- International birth certificate
- Legal adoption document
- Divorce or custody papers
- Consular birth report or birth certification
Proof of Identification
Legal or guardians Parents must provide one of the following documents:
- Valid driver’s license or enhanced driver’s license with photo from the same state
- Naturalization certificate
- Citizenship certificate
- Government employee identification
- U.S. military or military dependent identification
- Current passport from another country
- Mexican Consular ID (Matricula Consular)
- U.S. Green Card
- Trusted Traveler IDs like Global Entry, FAST, SENTRI, and NEXUS cards
- Improved Tribal Cards and IDs for Native American tribes
- Valid learner’s permit with photo, valid non-driver ID with photo, or temporary driver’s license with photo (may require additional ID)
In addition to the original identification form chosen from the options listed, a photocopy (front and back, if applicable) must also be submitted. The photocopy should be legible, on standard white 8.5” x 11” paper, and single-sided.
Step 3: Take a passport-sized photo of the baby
Similar to the process of obtaining your own passport, it is essential to have a suitable photo of your baby that meets the necessary requirements for U.S. passports. Numerous drug stores or pharmacies, like CVS or Walgreens, provide this service along with affordable photo printing. Alternatively, you have the option to capture the photo at home using a camera or utilise a helpful app for this purpose.
When capturing an image of your infant, ensure that no other individual is present in the photograph. Your baby should be facing the camera with eyes open, although closed or partially open eyes are permissible for infants. (For more guidance on obtaining your child’s passport photo, visit Travel.State.gov).
Step 4: Display parental consent
To obtain a passport for a baby, it is essential to provide parental consent. The most convenient approach is for both parents to accompany the baby to the nearby passport acceptance facility during the application submission process. Further details on this matter will be discussed below.
If there is only one parent or guardian available to attend in person, a designated form is provided for the second person to fill out and sign. This form will need to be notarized. It is essential to understand that there are other exceptions for parental involvement, so it is advisable to ascertain the necessary documents for your specific circumstances if you will be the sole person obtaining the passport with your child. Additional information can be found on Travel.State.gov, where you can access further details.
Step 5: Send in the application
Proceed to your nearest passport office to complete the application process. For information on passport application locations in your vicinity, utilise the locator provided at iafdb.Travel.State.gov.
If you reside in a significant U.S. city, you have the opportunity to apply for your baby’s passport at a regional passport agency, which can be more advantageous than utilising a post office. This alternative route can expedite the passport application process, ensuring a faster turnaround time.
Once you have confirmed the date and location, make sure to allow yourself additional time (at least an hour). Unforeseen situations such as long lines for walk-in appointments or a fussy child can impact your schedule.
It is recommended to arrange an appointment beforehand, if you can. Think about the time of day when your child is most relaxed, usually mornings and early afternoons for most young babies.
Take into consideration that, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a chance that certain passport application acceptance facilities may still be closed or operating with restricted service.
Step 6: Wait
It is important to note that there will be a waiting period, even if you decided to expedite the process. The regular service timeframe for receiving a new passport can extend up to 14 weeks from the initial application date.
Expect your baby’s expedited passport to be delivered within 10 weeks if you made the payment. Stay updated on your application status by checking online at Travel.State.gov.
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