Yes, in the United States a baby can get a passport; apply in person with proof of citizenship, photo, and parental consent.
Taking an infant across a border needs one document above all: the child’s own passport. Airlines won’t board flights without it, and border officers ask for it at arrival. This guide shows how to apply, what to bring, how the photo works for newborns, and fast ways to get it issued without hiccups.
Can A Baby Get A Passport? Requirements At A Glance
Short answer: yes. U.S. law requires every U.S. citizen, even a newborn, to travel on their own passport. For children under 16, parents or legal guardians apply with Form DS-11, appear with the child, and give consent. Below is a checklist to make the appointment smooth.
| What You Need | What It Looks Like | Helpful Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Form DS-11 | Printed, single-sided; unsigned | Sign only in front of the agent. |
| Evidence of U.S. Citizenship | Certified birth certificate, CRBA, certificate of citizenship, or a fully valid prior passport | Bring the original and a photocopy. |
| Proof Of Parental Relationship | Birth certificate, adoption decree, court order | Names must match the parents/guardians applying. |
| Parent/Guardian Photo ID | Driver’s license or other government ID | Bring front and back photocopies. |
| Parental Consent | Both parents appear; or DS-3053 for the parent who can’t | Notarized consent must be recent. |
| One Passport Photo | 2×2 inches; plain white background | Baby’s eyes don’t need to be fully open. |
| Fees | Application fee + facility fee | Checks/money orders for the State Department; separate payment at facility. |
| Where To Apply | Acceptance facility or passport agency/center | Choose agency service if travel is near. |
| Processing Time | Routine or expedited | Plan for mailing time on both ends. |
Eligibility, Documents, And Consent
For infants and children under 16, the DS-11 is always used, and the child must appear in person with both parents or guardians. If one parent can’t attend, the absent parent supplies a notarized DS-3053 plus a photocopy of the ID used before the notary. If only one parent has sole authority, bring the court order or birth record showing sole authority. If neither parent can come, a notarized letter can authorize another adult to apply with the child, paired with copies of both parents’ IDs. Bring originals and clean copies.
Proof Of Citizenship And Relationship
Most families use a certified U.S. birth certificate because it shows both citizenship and the parent-child link. If the birth record isn’t available, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, a certificate of citizenship, or a fully valid prior U.S. passport works. When the document proving citizenship doesn’t show the relationship, add an adoption decree, foreign birth record, or a court order that lists the parents or guardians.
Where To Apply And How Fees Work
Most first-time child applications are filed at a passport acceptance facility such as a post office, library, or local government office. You’ll pay two fees: an application fee to the U.S. Department of State and a separate facility acceptance fee where you submit. If travel is coming up quickly, you can book an appointment at a passport agency or center to request expedited service.
Baby Passport Photo Made Simple
Yes, a newborn can have a compliant photo. The basics: a single color 2×2 photo, taken within the last six months, on a plain white or off-white background. Lay the baby on a white sheet or cover a car seat with a white sheet and shoot from above. Daylight helps. It’s fine if a baby’s eyes aren’t fully open; older children need eyes open with a neutral look. Remove hats, headbands, and pacifiers in the frame. See the official passport photo page for exact sizing and tips.
Quick Photo Do’s And Don’ts
- Face straight on; no tilt.
- No filters or software changes.
- No shadows on the face or background.
- No hands holding the head; use a rolled towel under the sheet instead.
- Print on photo paper; no scans or photocopies.
Fees, Timelines, And Speed Options
Here’s what most parents ask next: timing and cost. For child applicants under 16, the passport book has one fee, the card a smaller fee, and the acceptance facility charges its own fee. You can add expedited processing, and you can pay for faster return shipping. Mailing time adds days on both ends, so book urgent travel only after you have the passport in hand. The State Department’s page for children under 16 rules lists current fees, consent options, and processing windows.
| Service | Typical Time | Extra Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Routine Processing | 4–6 weeks (plus mailing) | None beyond standard fees |
| Expedited Processing | 2–3 weeks (plus mailing) | + $60 |
| 1–2 Day Return Delivery | After issuance | + $22.05 |
| Agency Appointment | Travel in < 3 weeks | Proof of urgent travel required |
| Passport Book (Under 16) | — | $100 application + $35 facility |
| Passport Card (Under 16) | — | $15 application + $35 facility |
| Book & Card (Under 16) | — | $115 application + $35 facility |
Getting A Baby Passport: Step-By-Step
1) Book The Right Location
Use the acceptance-facility locator and choose a site that takes photos if you want a one-stop visit. If departure is close, seek a passport agency slot once you’re within the allowed window before travel.
2) Fill DS-11 And Gather Copies
Print the DS-11 single-sided and leave it unsigned. Bring the original citizenship evidence plus copies, and copies of the front and back of each parent’s ID. Pack payment for both the State Department and the facility.
3) Get The Photo Ready
Shoot at home or use a professional service. Check head size, background, and glare. Bring a couple of prints so you have a backup in case one is rejected for quality.
4) Attend With Your Child
Arrive early with the child and both parents. If one parent can’t come, bring a notarized DS-3053 and the ID copy from the notarization. If only one parent has authority, bring the court order or birth record that proves it.
5) Submit And Track
After the oath and signatures, the facility mails the application. Status updates arrive by email, and you can check the status online. Citizenship evidence returns separately by mail.
Rules That Catch Parents Off Guard
Two-Parent Consent Is The Default
Both parents usually must approve issuance. When one can’t attend, notarized consent solves it. When one parent has sole authority, bring proof. In rare cases of special circumstances, an explanatory statement and supporting records can substitute for consent.
Five-Year Validity And No Mail-In Renewals
Child passports are valid for five years. When it expires, you’ll apply again in person with a fresh DS-11 and updated photo. Mail-in renewal is not available for minors.
Photo Rules Apply Even For Newborns
Yes, the 2×2 size, recent image rule, background color, and lighting rules all apply to babies. The only leniency: the eyes do not have to be fully open for infants.
Travel Planning Tips With A New Baby Passport
Build A Cushion Around The Flight Date
Plan travel only after the passport arrives. Processing times don’t include mailing, and busy seasons can stretch the total timeline. If you must travel soon, pay for expedited service and book an agency appointment when eligible.
Mind Destination Entry Rules
Many countries want your passport valid for six months beyond the trip dates. Some also ask for proof of onward travel or extra blank pages. Check entry rules well before booking. For cruises, some lines set own document rules. Check the contract and carry the baby’s birth certificate along with the passport in case.
Keep Documents Together
Store the baby’s passport, birth certificate, and any consent records in a single folder you can grab before leaving for the airport. Bring a second photo print and a copy of the itinerary in case an officer asks for details. Keep copies.
Mistakes That Delay Approval
Parents often ask, can a baby get a passport? Yes—and most delays come from small slip-ups. Check these before the appointment.
- Photo printed on plain paper or with shadows—use photo paper and even lighting.
- Form signed at home—the DS-11 must be signed in front of the agent.
- Birth certificate that is a hospital keepsake—bring the certified vital records version.
- Old notarized DS-3053—the consent must be recent, and the ID copy from notarization included.
- Name mismatch on IDs—bring proof of any name change so records line up.
- One check for multiple applicants—separate checks help processing.
- Booking travel before issuance—wait until the passport is in hand.
Carry a spare photo. Keep originals flat; no lamination, no folds.
Can A Baby Get A Passport? Common Situations, Clear Answers
Domestic Trips And ID
Passports aren’t used for domestic flights, but international trips always require the child’s own passport—even for lap infants.
No Social Security Number Yet
Submit the DS-11 and select the option that the baby has never been issued a number; don’t wait for the card to arrive.
Passport Card And Flights
The card isn’t valid for international air travel. Use a passport book for flights.
Applying From Outside The U.S.
Apply at a U.S. embassy or consulate. Procedures mirror stateside steps, including consent, documents, and photo rules.
Baby Passport Takeaways
You can answer “yes” to “can a baby get a passport?” and move ahead with confidence. Fill the DS-11, bring citizenship proof, show consent, and get a clean photo. Choose routine or expedited timing based on your trip. Once issued, the child passport lasts five years, and you’ll repeat the in-person process next time. With the pieces above, the appointment is quick and the booklet shows up on time.