Can a Baby Get a Passport? | What Parents Must Bring

Yes, U.S. newborns and infants can get a passport when a parent applies in person with citizenship proof, parent IDs, and a compliant photo.

Travel with a baby starts with paperwork, not packing cubes. The good news: a child passport application is predictable. If you bring the right documents and handle consent the right way, you can finish the appointment in one trip.

This article walks through the U.S. process for a first passport for a baby under 16, plus the fees, timing, and photo tricks that keep families from getting turned away.

When A Baby Needs A Passport

A baby needs a passport book for international air travel, including flights to Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean.

A passport card may work for U.S. citizens entering the United States by land or sea from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. It does not work for international flights.

Getting A Passport For A Baby Under 16

Babies and all children under 16 apply in person using Form DS-11. Child passports are valid for five years.

Most families apply at a passport acceptance facility such as a post office, a county clerk, or a public library. The agent reviews your packet, watches you sign, and sends everything for processing.

Current published processing ranges often list 4–6 weeks for routine service and 2–3 weeks for expedited service, not counting mailing time. If you have a date on the calendar, work backward and leave a buffer.

Can Babies Get Passports In The U.S. Without Both Parents

For a child under 16, the standard expectation is that both parents or legal guardians appear with the child and give permission. This consent step helps prevent a child from being taken abroad without a parent’s knowledge.

If one parent can’t attend, the applying parent usually needs a notarized consent form from the absent parent plus a photocopy of the absent parent’s ID. If a parent has sole custody, a court order or a certified record that shows sole parentage can fill that gap.

If you can’t locate the other parent, you may need to submit a special circumstances statement and extra evidence. These cases vary, so your best move is to gather custody paperwork early and bring more than one copy.

Documents To Gather Before You Book An Appointment

Build your packet in four stacks: the baby’s citizenship evidence, proof of your relationship to the baby, parent IDs, and photocopies. Add a passport photo and a payment plan, and you’re set.

Baby Citizenship Evidence

Most U.S.-born babies use a certified U.S. birth certificate. Babies born abroad who are U.S. citizens may use a Consular Report of Birth Abroad or another U.S. Department of State-issued citizenship document.

Bring the original or a certified copy with the issuing seal or stamp, plus a photocopy for the application packet.

Proof Of Relationship

Many birth certificates show the parents’ names, which can establish the relationship. If your citizenship document does not list parents, bring a separate relationship document such as an adoption decree or custody order.

If your current name differs from what’s on the relationship document, bring a certified record that connects the names, such as a marriage certificate or a name-change order.

Parent Identification And Photocopies

Each applying parent or guardian needs a physical photo ID. You also submit a photocopy of the front and back of each ID on single-sided 8.5″ x 11″ paper.

Do the copies at home. It keeps the appointment calmer and lowers the odds that you’ll be asked to leave the counter and come back later.

Form DS-11, Printed And Unsigned

Complete DS-11 before your appointment, then print it single-sided. Don’t sign it until the acceptance agent asks you to.

One Passport Photo That Meets The Rules

The photo must be 2″ x 2″ with a plain white or off-white background and no shadows. For infants, it’s okay if the eyes aren’t fully open, as long as the face is clear and unobstructed.

Baby Passport Application Checklist

What To Bring	What Counts	Notes That Save You A Repeat Trip
DS-11 Application	Completed, printed, single-sided	Leave it unsigned until the agent directs you
Citizenship Evidence	Certified U.S. birth certificate, CRBA, certificate of citizenship, or prior U.S. passport	Bring the original or certified copy with seal or stamp
Photocopy Of Citizenship Evidence	Copy of the document you submit as evidence	Single-sided on 8.5″ x 11″ paper
Relationship Proof	Birth certificate listing parents, adoption decree, custody order	Bring name-change records if names don’t match
Parents’ Photo IDs	Driver’s license, state ID, or other accepted ID	Bring a second ID if the primary ID is from another state
Photocopies Of Parent IDs	Front and back copies of each parent/guardian ID	Single-sided pages; don’t crop off edges
One Passport Photo	2″ x 2″ color photo, plain background	No hands in frame, no shadows, no blankets covering the face
Consent Or Custody Documents	Notarized consent form, court order, or certified record showing sole custody	Bring the absent parent’s ID copy when a consent form is used

What Happens At The Appointment

At the counter, the agent verifies identity, reviews documents, and accepts the application. You’ll sign DS-11 in front of the agent, not before. The agent will staple the photo and package everything for mailing.

Expect two payments for most first-time child applications: the passport application fee paid to the U.S. Department of State and the acceptance fee paid to the facility. The amounts are fixed, but payment methods vary by location.

To confirm the current child requirements, consent rules, and child fees in one place, the State Department’s Apply for a Child’s U.S. Passport page is the most direct reference.

Fees And Timing For A Baby Passport

A passport book costs more than a passport card, and expedited service adds a separate charge. There’s also an optional 1–3 day delivery fee for the returned passport book after it’s issued.

Choice	Fees For Under 16	When It Fits
Passport Book	$100 application + $35 acceptance	Any international flight; broad travel plans
Passport Card	$15 application + $35 acceptance	Land border crossings and sea entry from nearby regions
Book + Card	$115 application + $35 acceptance	Families who mix flights with road trips and cruises
Expedited Processing	+$60	Travel is soon and routine timing feels tight
1–3 Day Delivery (Book Only)	+$22.05	You want trackable shipping after issuance

For the official fee list and optional services, use the State Department’s Passport Fees page and match it to the “minor under 16” category.

Passport Photo Tips For Infants

Most rejected baby photos fail for one of three reasons: shadows on the face, a busy background, or a blanket creeping up under the chin. Fix those and you’re ahead of the curve.

• Use a plain light sheet. Lay the baby down on a white or off-white sheet and shoot from above.
• Chase even light. A window-lit room helps avoid harsh shadows.
• Keep hands out of frame. If you use a car seat, cover it with a plain sheet and make sure no fingers show.
• Don’t fight the eyes. For infants, slightly closed eyes can still pass if the face is clear.

Common Reasons Families Get Sent Home

These are the repeat offenders. A quick check the night before saves a lot of frustration.

A Signed DS-11

If DS-11 is signed before the appointment, the agent can’t accept it. Print a fresh copy and sign at the counter.

Missing Back-Side ID Copies

Many IDs have data on both sides. Bring a clear copy of the front and back for each applying parent or guardian.

Names That Don’t Match Across Documents

If your name on the baby’s record differs from your current ID, bring a certified document that links the names. Without that link, the agent can’t connect you to the child on paper.

One Parent Missing With No Consent Paperwork

If a parent can’t attend, show up with the notarized consent form or custody documents that explain why. Without them, the application usually can’t be accepted.

After The Passport Arrives

Open the envelope the same day and check the baby’s name and date of birth. If something is wrong, report it right away so you’re not racing a flight.

Store the passport in the same spot every time, like a document pouch in your travel bag. Routine beats memory when you’re packing with a baby.

If your child travels with only one parent, a signed permission letter from the other parent can smooth border questions. Keep it simple: dates, destination, contact details, and signatures.

Renewals And Replacing A Lost Child Passport

Children under 16 can’t renew with the adult renewal form. When the five-year passport expires, you’ll apply again in person with DS-11.

If the passport is lost, you’ll report it and file a new DS-11 application with the required loss paperwork. If travel is soon, you may need an in-person agency appointment tied to near-term travel eligibility.