How to Get a Passport for a Newborn

All minors require a passport to travel abroad.

All minors, including babies and toddlers, must have a valid U.S. passport if traveling internationally. Before you submit an application for your child, you'll need to prepare supporting documentation and evidence, so if you're planning a trip soon after your baby's been born, you'll need to move quickly. It's important to fill all forms in correctly and submit supporting evidence in a timely fashion to avoid delays to your application.

Things You'll Need

• Social Security number
• Photocopier

Instructions

1. Download form DS-11 from the U.S. Department of State website. You can complete it electronically or by hand but you will need to print it. You must submit the form in person to an acceptance facility or passport agency and sign it in front of an acceptance agent, so leave the signature sections blank. Failure to fill in Social Security numbers could result in your application being significantly delayed. If only one parent is attending the passport office, the other must complete form DS-303 to submit with the application.

2. Collect evidence of your child's citizenship. You can submit a birth certificate, a consular report of a birth abroad, a naturalization certificate or a certificate of citizenship. A birth certificate must contain the full names of the applicant's parents. You also need proof of your relationship to the minor which can take the form of a birth certificate or a court order granting guardianship or custody and ID for both parents or guardians. Acceptable forms of primary ID for parents include an undamaged passport, a current military ID, a naturalization certificate or a valid driver's license.

3. Make one photocopy of each parent's ID to present with the application.

4. Take one passport-sized photo of your newborn.

5. Take the application form, the photograph and all the supporting evidence to your nearest passport agency. You can find a list of local offices on the U.S. Department of State website. If you are in sole custody of the child, you will need to present a birth certificate or other proof of sole residency to support your application. If you cannot obtain this, you will need to complete a DS-3035 form stating why the non-applying parent's consent cannot be obtained.

6. Sign the paperwork as directed by the acceptance officer and pay the fees. A minor passport book costs $80, as of April 2011. You can check the progress of your application online five to seven days after applying.

References

• U.S Department of State: Minors Under Age 16