If you are planning on taking your baby or toddler out of the country you need a passport. It’s a lot easier than you think to get one, but you do need to plan ahead and make sure you get all of the documents together that are listed below.
Lottie’s First Passport:
To save us the stress of having to take her photo we paid professionals (the post office) to take Lottie’s photo for her passport, it was an extra $15 and worth it. She was too short when she sat on the stool so I held her feet still while she stood (motionless) staring at the camera.
For a girl who NEVER stops moving and is almost always laughing she looked terrified in her photo. Who knows what was going through her head, but I still think it’s the cutest first passport photo ever (biased mom).
It was that quick. We walked in, got her photo taken, dropped off all of the documents in the list above, signed a paper and walked out. A few weeks later they mailed us her passport!
Guide to Getting Your Child’s First Passport
Quick Facts about applying for a minor’s passport (from the US Dept. of State)
Minor passports are for children under the age of 16.
- They are valid for 5 years (adult passports are valid for 10)
- Cost $80
- Require two parent consents (in most cases)
- Applications must be delivered in person, with the minor and both guardians.
- Cannot be renewed by mail
- Require the DS-11 application whether a first time applicant or a returning applicant
What You Need Bring With You to Apply
- A completed DS-11 form – we filled it out online and printed it to bring with us to the post office
- One 2×2 passport photo – we had this taken at the post office
- US Birth Certificate
- Evidence of relationship between child and parents/guardians – we used the birth certificate for this
- Each parent needs their own form for identification – we used drivers licences
- Provide parental consent – we signed the papers at the post office
- Application fee ($80)
Click here to complete and submit your online application (DS-11 form)
Still have questions? Read here for more specifics on your child’s passport
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