How to Get a Baby’s Passport in the U.S.: A Step-by-Step Guide

Getting a baby’s passport in the United States takes more than filling out a form: children under 16 must apply in person, and usually both parents or legal guardians must participate. The process is manageable when families gather proof of citizenship, relationship and parental consent before an appointment. This guide explains how to get a baby’s passport, what documents to bring, how infant photos work, what fees to expect and how to plan around travel dates.

Meta description: Learn how to get a baby’s passport in the U.S., including DS-11 requirements, parental consent, infant photos, fees, processing times and renewal rules.

Baby Passport Requirements at a Glance

A baby must have a passport issued in the child’s own name to travel internationally. U.S. passport applications for children under 16 follow rules designed to establish citizenship and help prevent unauthorized applications. The child’s passport is generally valid for five years, and the child must apply in person even if the applicant is a newborn.

• Application: Form DS-11, completed but not signed until instructed by the acceptance agent.
• Appearance: The baby and usually both parents or guardians attend in person.
• Citizenship evidence: An original or certified document, such as a U.S. birth certificate.
• Parental relationship: Documents connecting the child to the parent or guardian applying.
• Photo: One compliant color passport photo measuring 2 by 2 inches.
• Payment: Separate application and acceptance fees may apply.

Requirements can vary in unusual cases, such as a child born abroad, a missing parent, or a guardianship arrangement. The U.S. Department of State’s passport website is the authoritative place to check current forms, fees and instructions.

Step 1: Complete Form DS-11

Use Form DS-11, Application for a U.S. Passport, for a child under 16 applying for a passport. The form can be completed online and printed, or filled out by hand in black ink. Do not sign it before the appointment. A passport acceptance agent must witness the signature.

Enter the baby’s information as it appears on the citizenship document. Check the spelling of the child’s full name, date and place of birth, and parents’ names. If the name differs from the birth certificate or other evidence, bring official documents that explain the change, such as a court order or adoption decree.

Each child needs a separate application, even when siblings apply at the same appointment. Avoid using a renewal form for a child under 16: children’s passports are not renewed by mail using the adult renewal process. A child must apply in person again when the passport expires or when a new passport is needed.

Step 2: Gather Proof of U.S. Citizenship

The child must submit evidence of U.S. citizenship. For a baby born in the United States, the usual document is an original or certified U.S. birth certificate that meets State Department requirements. It must show the child’s full name, date and place of birth, and the names of at least one parent. A hospital souvenir certificate or certificate of birth record that is not an official vital-records document is generally not sufficient.

The agency keeps the citizenship evidence with the application and returns it separately from the passport. Bring the original or certified document and a photocopy of the front and back, if any. A photocopy is not a substitute for the original evidence.

A child born outside the United States may use a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, a naturalization certificate, or other evidence depending on the circumstances. If the baby’s citizenship is based on a U.S. parent, the required evidence may involve that parent’s citizenship and the parent’s time physically present in the United States. Review the State Department’s instructions for the specific situation before booking an appointment.

Step 3: Prove the Parent-Child Relationship

Parents or guardians must show that they have authority to apply for the child. A birth certificate listing the parent, an adoption decree, or a court order establishing custody or guardianship may serve as evidence. Bring original or certified documents and a photocopy, as instructed by the State Department.

Adults should also bring acceptable identification. A parent or guardian generally presents a government-issued photo ID, such as a valid driver’s license or passport, plus a photocopy of the front and back. The acceptance facility may have additional instructions, so check its requirements before the appointment.

If a parent’s name on the ID differs from the name on the relationship document, bring proof of the legal name change. Examples include a marriage certificate, divorce decree or court order. This helps the agent confirm that the person applying is the parent named in the child’s records.

Step 4: Meet the Parental Consent Rules

For a child under 16, both parents or guardians generally must appear with the child and provide consent. This is the most common point that requires advance planning. If both parents cannot attend, the parent who is absent may usually provide a notarized Form DS-3053, Statement of Consent, along with a photocopy of the front and back of the identification presented to the notary.

DS-3053 must be signed and notarized, and the State Department generally requires it to be submitted within 90 days of notarization. Use the current form and follow its instructions carefully. An ordinary letter or an unsigned consent form is not a substitute.

When one parent has sole legal authority, the applying parent may need to submit evidence such as a court order, a death certificate, or another document listed in the State Department’s rules. If a parent cannot be located or cannot provide consent, Form DS-5525 may be relevant, but it is intended for special family circumstances and may require supporting evidence. A parent should not assume that a travel consent letter alone meets passport-application requirements.

Step 5: Get a Passport Photo of the Baby

The photo must be a recent color image measuring 2 by 2 inches, with the baby facing the camera against a plain white or off-white background. The face should be clearly visible, evenly lit and in focus. The photo should meet the State Department’s size, head-position and image-quality rules; ordinary snapshots and heavily edited images may be rejected.

Infants do not need to keep their eyes open in passport photos, according to State Department guidance. No other person or object should appear in the picture. A practical method is to place the baby on a plain white sheet and photograph the child from above, making sure the sheet has no shadows, wrinkles or visible texture. The baby should be alone in the image.

Some pharmacies, retailers and passport photo services take infant passport pictures, but not every location is experienced with babies. Ask whether the photo is guaranteed to meet U.S. passport specifications. The State Department does not accept digitally altered photos, so use a genuine image that accurately represents the child.

Step 6: Apply in Person

Submit the application at a passport acceptance facility, such as a post office, public library, county clerk’s office or municipal office that offers passport services. Appointments may be required, and some facilities have limited hours. Search the State Department’s acceptance-facility locator and contact the chosen location to confirm appointment availability and payment rules.

Bring the baby, the unsigned DS-11, citizenship and relationship documents, parental identification, required consent paperwork, photocopies, the passport photo and payment. The acceptance agent reviews the application, witnesses the signature and sends the materials to the State Department. The agent does not issue the passport.

For a complete application, parents generally pay a passport application fee to the Department of State and a separate execution or acceptance fee to the facility. Fees depend on the passport product and service selected and can change. Check the State Department’s current fee schedule before the appointment. Facilities may accept different forms of payment for each fee, so confirm whether checks, money orders, cards or other payment methods are accepted.

Passport Book or Passport Card?

Families can apply for a passport book, a passport card, or both. A passport book is required for international air travel and can be used for international travel by land, sea or air. A passport card is less expensive but has limited use: it is valid for land and sea border crossings from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda, but not for international air travel.

For a baby who may fly internationally, the book is the practical choice. A card may be useful for certain nearby land or sea trips, but it should not be treated as a replacement for a passport book when flying. Families may request both products on the child’s application if they want the additional flexibility.

Processing Times and Urgent Travel

Processing times change with application volume and the season. Before applying, check the State Department’s current processing-time page and allow time for mailing in both directions. The published processing estimate does not include the time it takes for an application to reach the agency or for the completed passport to be delivered.

Expedited service is available for an additional fee, but it does not eliminate every delay. For qualifying urgent international travel, the State Department may offer an appointment at a passport agency or center. Appointments are limited and generally require proof of imminent travel. A reservation or itinerary may be needed, depending on the service requested.

Parents planning a trip should apply well in advance, especially before busy travel periods. An airline ticket does not replace a valid passport, and some countries require a passport to remain valid for several months beyond the travel dates. Check the destination country’s entry requirements and any transit-country rules before departure.

Common Reasons Baby Passport Applications Are Delayed

• Missing parental consent: One parent is absent and the required notarized form or supporting evidence is not included.
• Incorrect or incomplete DS-11: The form is signed before the appointment, contains inconsistent information, or has unanswered required fields.
• Unacceptable birth record: The family submits a hospital keepsake instead of an official certified certificate.
• Photo problems: The image has shadows, a patterned background, visible support from an adult, or an incorrect size.
• Missing photocopies or ID: Required copies of citizenship evidence or parental identification are absent.
• Payment problems: The family brings a payment type the facility cannot accept or pays the wrong amount.

Before the appointment, compare every document with the current DS-11 checklist. Keep the baby’s name and birth details consistent across the form and evidence, and verify the facility’s appointment and payment policies directly.

After Applying: Delivery and Passport Safety

Applications can be tracked online after the State Department receives them. The agency typically returns citizenship documents separately, so the birth certificate may arrive in a different envelope from the passport. Store the child’s passport securely and make a copy of its identification page for records, keeping the copy separate from the passport while traveling.

A child’s passport is valid for five years, but it cannot be renewed through the adult mail-in renewal process. When it expires, the child must apply in person again with the required documents and parental consent. Because babies change quickly, parents should also consider whether the passport photo still clearly resembles the child before travel; the document remains valid until its expiration unless the State Department directs otherwise.

Quick Checklist for a Baby’s Passport Appointment

For the smoothest application, confirm the latest requirements with the U.S. Department of State and the selected acceptance facility. Rules, fees and processing estimates can change, while individual family circumstances may call for additional evidence.