Obtaining a U.S.Passport for Your Child: All You Need to Know

A passport is your key to visiting the world. And if you are anything like us, you will need to obtain one for your child as soon as you leave the hospital in order to get on with your travels. Here’s everything you need to know about applying for a US passport for your minor children:

• All individuals regardless of age require an individual passport when traveling internationally
• A passport card can be used en lieu of a passport book if you are entering the US from Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean and Bermuda by land or sea. The passport card is cheaper but cannot be used for international travel by air even from the aforementioned places
• Your child must appear in person with both parents at the time of application
• The photo must be 2X2 inches and show the front of the child’s face. They offer some slack for a child but not much. It’s a real challenge to keep a newborn’s head straight and you may need to take a number of shots for the agent to pick the best one. Don’t try this at home folks. Really.
• Plan ahead: Regular processing takes about 8 weeks, depending on where you are in the country. You can request faster processing at a fee.
• You will need to provide proof of citizenship for your child which will need to be a certified copy of a birth certificate in addition to your own proof of citizenship (passport copy) with the completed application form.
• Find out where you can apply in your city

You can find the forms at the website of the Department of State.