Yes, a newborn can get a US passport when a parent applies in person with proof of birth, citizenship, identity, photos, and consent.
Parents often ask this question right after booking a first trip with a baby. The idea of paperwork, photos, and strict rules for an infant can sound intimidating, yet the government process is clear and made for parents who are already short on sleep during those first weeks.
This guide explains when a newborn qualifies for a passport, which forms and documents you need, how parental consent works, and how long the whole timeline usually takes for travel. It keeps the rules in plain language so you can walk into the appointment calm and prepared.
Can A Newborn Get A US Passport? Basic Rule For Parents
US law allows any US citizen to hold a passport from birth, so the answer to Can A Newborn Get A US Passport? is yes as long as you can show proof of citizenship and identity. There is no minimum age and no waiting period once you have the right papers.
Newborn applications follow the same system as all child passports under age 16. The child must appear in person, a parent or guardian files Form DS-11, and parental consent is required. The official child passport guidance on the US Department of State website sets out these rules in detail.
| Item | What It Is | Practical Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Form DS-11 | Child passport application | Fill before the visit and sign in front of the agent. |
| Proof of US citizenship | Birth certificate or CRBA | Bring a certified copy with a raised seal. |
| Parent photo ID | Government ID for each parent | Carry originals and photocopies of front and back. |
| Proof of parental relationship | Birth, adoption, or court record | Often one document acts as both proof and relationship record. |
| Parental consent | Both parents or consent form | Use Form DS-3053 when one parent cannot attend. |
| Passport photos | One 2×2 inch color photo | Plain light background and no hats or pacifiers. |
| Fees | Child passport and execution fee | Check the latest fee table and allowed payment types. |
| Baby present in person | Baby at acceptance appointment | Book a time near a nap or feeding so your baby stays calmer. |
Newborn US Passport Rules And Timeline
The same legal rules apply to every child under 16, but newborns bring some timing quirks. You may still be waiting for a birth certificate or Social Security number, and you might be trying to line up a passport before a fixed flight date.
Who Qualifies As A Newborn For Passport Purposes
Passport law does not create a special newborn bracket. In practice, parents use the word newborn for babies in the first months of life, and the State Department treats every child under 16 as a minor who must apply with DS-11, appear in person, and have a parent or guardian involved.
Where You Apply With A Baby
Child passport applications must be submitted at a passport acceptance facility such as a post office, clerk of court, or certain local government offices. You can search by ZIP code and book an appointment on the official State Department site or through the USAGov child passport guide.
How Long A Newborn Passport Lasts
A US passport issued to a child under 16 currently lasts five years. After that, your child must appear again with a new DS-11 and fresh photos, since minor passports cannot be renewed by mail. Many families treat the newborn passport as a five-year ticket for early trips.
Documents You Need To Bring To The Appointment
When someone types Can A Newborn Get A US Passport? into a search bar, the next thought is usually, “What will the clerk ask to see?” A simple folder with the right documents keeps the visit short and avoids a repeat trip.
Proof Of Newborn Citizenship
For babies born in the United States, a certified birth certificate is the standard proof of citizenship. It should list the full name, date and place of birth, and the parent or parents, and it must carry a seal or stamp from the state office that issues birth certificates. Hospital souvenirs and footprints do not count.
If your child was born abroad and you reported the birth at a US embassy or consulate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad replaces the domestic birth certificate. In a smaller group of cases, a certificate of naturalization or similar document may apply, and the State Department child passport page lists those options.
Parent Identification And Relationship
Each parent or guardian who appears at the appointment must show a government-issued photo ID such as a current US passport, driver license, military ID, or green card. You also need proof of parental relationship, usually through the same birth certificate or through an adoption decree or court order.
Social Security Number Or Statement
The DS-11 form asks for the child’s Social Security number. If your baby has a number, you should enter it. If the number has not been issued yet, the State Department instructs parents to submit a brief signed statement saying the child has never been issued a Social Security number, and that statement stays with the record.
How Parental Consent Works For A Newborn Passport
US child passport rules place strong weight on parental consent so that one adult cannot remove a child from the country without the knowledge of the other parent or legal guardian. The process is designed to be strict yet workable for ordinary families.
When Both Parents Can Attend
The simplest path is when both parents have shared legal custody and can attend the appointment with the baby. Each adult brings ID, confirms the relationship to the child, and signs DS-11 in front of the passport agent. The agent then accepts the application and sends it for processing.
When One Parent Cannot Attend
If one parent cannot appear, consent can come through Form DS-3053, a notarized statement from the absent parent that names the child and the parent who will appear in person. In sole custody situations, court orders can replace this form, but original paperwork is usually required at the counter.
Step-By-Step Application Walkthrough
Once you know that the answer to this newborn passport question is yes, the next task is to move from forms on a screen to a passport book in your mailbox. Breaking the process into a few stages makes it much easier to manage with a newborn schedule.
Step 1: Gather Core Documents
Collect the certified birth certificate or Consular Report of Birth Abroad, parent IDs, any court or adoption records, and proof of your baby’s Social Security number if you have it. Make photocopies of every item that the State Department says needs a copy and stack originals and copies separately.
Step 2: Complete Form DS-11
Use the online form filler on the passport forms page or print a blank DS-11 and write by hand in black ink. Enter your baby’s full legal name, date and place of birth, Social Security number or statement, parent details, and contact information, and leave the signature line empty.
Step 3: Take A Compliant Baby Passport Photo
Passport photos for newborns follow the same core standards as adult photos: a plain light background, full-face view, and neutral expression. The Department of State photo guide explains the exact size and head position ranges and allows some flexibility in gently propping an infant’s head in images.
Step 4: Book And Attend The Appointment
Find a nearby passport acceptance facility and schedule a time that works with feeding and nap routines. Arrive early with your baby, your document folder, and the right payment method. The agent will review the paperwork, ask you to swear that it is correct, and watch as you sign DS-11 for your child.
Step 5: Track Processing And Delivery
Processing times change through the year, and the State Department and USAGov sites post current estimates along with options for expedited service. After approval, the passport book and extra documents usually arrive in separate envelopes, so check the mail carefully over several days.
| Stage | Typical Time | Main Task |
|---|---|---|
| Birth registration | 1–4 weeks after delivery | State creates the official birth record. |
| Collect documents | 1–7 days | Order proofs and gather parent IDs. |
| Photo and DS-11 | 1–3 days | Take a baby photo and complete DS-11. |
| Appointment date | Same day to 2 weeks | Submit the package in person with the baby. |
| Standard processing | Several weeks | Routine processing at the State Department. |
| Expedited processing | Shorter with extra fee | Faster service when travel is already booked. |
| Passport delivery | By mail | Book and papers arrive in separate envelopes. |
Quick Checklist Before You Apply
By this stage, the question Can A Newborn Get A US Passport? should feel settled. You know the basic rules, the documents the agent expects, and the way the timeline unfolds from birth record to stamped passport book.
Use this short checklist as a last review before your appointment:
- Certified birth certificate or Consular Report of Birth Abroad for the baby
- Government photo ID for each parent or guardian, plus photocopies
- Any court or adoption documents that affect custody or legal authority
- Completed DS-11 form, unsigned
- Signed Social Security statement if the child has no number yet
- One compliant baby passport photo
- Payment for the passport book and execution fee
- Baby present at the appointment with both parents or a consent form from the absent parent
Once those items sit in your folder, your newborn’s passport becomes one more simple baby errand.