No, a newborn usually needs their own passport for international flights, with only narrow domestic exceptions.
Parents bump into the question can a newborn fly without a passport? when they start planning flights with a baby. Airlines may take infants within days of birth, yet border officers expect clear proof of identity and nationality.
In most countries every traveler, from brand new baby to grandparent, must hold a valid passport to cross an international border. Some domestic routes work with birth certificates or national ID cards, but those options do not replace a passport once you leave your home country. So the short answer to can a newborn fly without a passport tends to be no for trips that cross borders.
Can A Newborn Fly Without A Passport? Global Rules Overview
Across major regions, passport rules for infants line up more than many parents expect. Immigration systems rarely care that a traveler is only a few weeks old. The officer at the desk mainly checks that the document is valid, the photo matches, and the child has permission to travel with the adult who presents them.
Here is a quick summary of common travel scenarios and what border and airline staff usually look for when a baby flies.
| Trip Type And Region | Newborn Passport Needed? | Other Documents Often Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Any international flight | Yes, passport for each baby | Return ticket, visa, proof of relationship |
| Flights to or from EU or Schengen | Yes, child passport or national ID where allowed | Consent letter when child travels with one parent or other adult |
| Flights to or from United States | Yes, passport book for air travel | Birth certificate, custody proof, required visas or ESTA |
| Domestic flight inside United States | No, yet airline may ask for proof of age | Original or certified birth certificate, sometimes shot record |
| Domestic flight inside EU country | Rules differ, many carriers ask for child ID | Birth certificate, family record book, or residence card |
| Land border United States–Canada or Mexico | Often passport, some programs accept other proof | Birth certificate, consent letter, trusted traveler card |
| Closed loop cruise from and to same port | Some lines accept birth certificate, passport still safer | Birth certificate, adult photo ID, any needed visas |
Newborn Flying Without A Passport Rules By Region
The phrase can a newborn fly without a passport? lands parents in a maze of country specific rules. Breaking it down by region makes planning easier. Start with where the trip begins and where it ends, then match your route to published border rules and airline conditions of carriage.
European Union And Schengen Countries
European Union rules state that children who travel must carry their own passport or national ID card, and they may also need a consent document when they do not travel with both parents. Names inside a parent passport no longer count as valid travel ID for trips that involve EU borders.
Official rules from the European Commission on travel documents for minors explain that children who travel in Europe need their own travel document and may be asked for extra consent papers when they travel with one parent, relatives, or school groups. Airlines that fly to or from Schengen airports follow the same line at check in and at the gate because they can face fines when they carry passengers who lack correct documents.
United States And Canada
For any international flight that lands in or departs from the United States, every traveler must hold a valid passport book, including babies. U.S. authorities explain that children under sixteen apply for their own passport, with parental consent and proof of relationship checked during the application process.
Within the United States, domestic flights do not require ID for a baby, but airlines often ask for a birth certificate to confirm age for lap infant tickets. Cross border trips by land or sea between the United States, Canada, and Mexico can sometimes use a birth certificate for citizen children, yet a passport still keeps travel simpler when plans change or an emergency side trip by air arises.
United Kingdom And Other Countries
In the United Kingdom, even a young baby needs a child passport before traveling abroad. The application process for a first UK child passport runs online with documents and photos sent by mail or delivered at a collection point. Other countries follow the same pattern, with child passports required for all international crossings even when the child is weeks old.
Documents That May Work On Domestic Flights
Domestic flights sit at the center of many parent questions, since rules often feel softer once a plane stays inside the same country. Whether a newborn can fly without a passport on a local route depends on national law and on airline policy, so parents should check both sources before booking.
In practice, many domestic airlines ask for proof of the baby age but not a full passport. Common options include a long form birth certificate, a hospital record with name and date of birth, or a health card. Some carriers also accept a digital copy of the birth certificate stored on a phone, though a paper copy usually speeds up checks at the counter.
When a domestic flight connects to an international leg on the same ticket, treat the whole itinerary as an international trip. Carriers then follow international rules from the first check in point, which means the newborn passport must be ready before you reach the initial airport. Small planning steps help.
How To Get A Passport For A Newborn Step By Step
Because can a newborn fly without a passport? almost always leads back to document checks, it helps to map out the application process early. The exact forms and names vary from country to country, yet the flow looks similar across U.S., UK, and many European systems.
Gather Proof Of Birth And Parentage
Start by collecting originals or certified copies of the baby birth registration. You also need ID and citizenship proof for each parent or legal guardian, such as their own passports or national ID cards. Many passport offices ask for evidence of parental authority too, like a marriage certificate, custody order, or family record book.
In the United States, official child passport rules list birth certificate, proof of citizenship, photo ID for parents, and consent from both parents as core requirements. In the United Kingdom, the child passport service asks for a referee adult to confirm the baby identity along with evidence that the child is a British citizen.
Complete The Application And Take Photos
Next, fill out the newborn passport form and set up passport style photos. Photo rules for babies can look strict, yet many studios know how to pose infants on a flat white background, eyes open and face visible. Some parents use smartphone photos that meet the measurements and print them at a shop that follows passport photo standards.
Most countries ask parents to sign the application in person at an approved office or passport counter. Bring paper copies of every document, plus payment, since missing papers lead to delayed processing and can derail travel plans close to departure dates.
Allow Time For Processing And Delivery
Passport services often warn that processing for child passports can run longer in busy seasons. Standard timelines can range from a few weeks to a couple of months, and rush services cost more and may not exist in every country. Order the passport before you buy non refundable tickets when you can, especially for long haul trips or holiday periods.
Newborn Passport Planning Checklist
| Step | What You Do | Tips For Parents |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Check trip route | Confirm whether flights cross any international border | Treat any segment outside your home country as international |
| 2. Review official rules | Read government and airline travel document pages | Print or save screenshots so you can show them at the airport |
| 3. Collect documents | Gather birth certificates, parent IDs, and custody papers | Keep originals in a folder and store scans in secure cloud storage |
| 4. Apply for passport | Submit forms, photos, and fees at the local passport office | Book the first available appointment to avoid seasonal delays |
| 5. Track application | Use online tracking where available to check progress | Contact the passport service early if travel date moves closer |
| 6. Prepare airport pack | Place passports, consent letters, and copies in one easy reach pouch | Add spare photos and printed itineraries for extra checks |
| 7. Arrive early on travel day | Build in extra time for document checks and baby care | Give yourself space for feeds, nappy changes, and security queues |
Practical Tips For Smooth Airport Travel With A Newborn
New parents already juggle feeds, naps, and naps that never seem to land. Clear document planning removes one layer of stress. Keep passports and papers in a small pouch that never leaves your body, and use a second pouch for spare clothes, wipes, and small toys.
At the airport, head to staffed check in desks instead of self service machines, since an agent can confirm that your baby is correctly added to the booking. At border control, hold the baby so officers can match the passport photo to the tiny face in front of them, and have any consent letters ready if you travel without the other parent.
If you travel often, set a calendar reminder a year before the baby passport expires. Some countries require six months of validity on entry, so you might need a renewal even when the printed expiry date sits further away. That small habit helps you avoid last minute scrambles before big trips.