Your first international trip with a baby is exciting—and procedural. U.S. passports for kids under 16 follow different rules than adults, from who must appear in person to what counts as acceptable consent. Here’s what to keep in mind so you can apply with confidence and avoid last-minute scrambles.
Start Early (Really Early)
Current processing times are 4–6 weeks for routine service and 2–3 weeks for expedited service. Importantly, these processing times do not include mailing: it can take up to 2 weeks for your application to reach the agency and up to 2 weeks for finished passports to arrive back to you. Build that cushion into your plans.
Addison Jaynes, CEO of Reliant Destinations and a member of the Chairman’s Royal Club, an elite group of top-producing travel advisors for Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts worldwide, shared in an email interview that parents should expect that obtaining a baby’s first passport will be a little more complex than the normal adult passport renewal. “As soon as you have a certified birth certificate, that is a good time to start the process. Generally, I recommend clients to get this before they plan a trip, but for those who have booked or are ready to book, the sooner the better! In today’s environment, I tell clients to budget at least 6–8 weeks door-to-door for routine service.”
If travel is imminent, you have options. Passport agencies and centers see travelers by appointment when you’re within 14 days of international travel (or 28 days if you need a visa). Appointments are limited and require proof of travel, so prepare your documents before you book.
Who Needs To Show Up And What To Bring
For applicants under 16, both parents/guardians and the child must apply in person using Form DS-11 (but don’t sign it until instructed by the acceptance agent). Bring: proof of the child’s U.S. citizenship (typically a certified birth certificate), proof of parental relationship (often the same birth certificate), government ID for each parent and required photocopies (black-and-white, single-sided, 8½×11).
Can one parent skip the appointment? Sometimes. If one parent cannot appear, submit Form DS-3053 (Statement of Consent), notarized, with a photocopy of the ID used for notarization; this consent is generally valid for three months from notarization. If you cannot locate the other parent or there are special family circumstances, use Form DS-5525 with supporting evidence. Courts orders establishing sole legal custody also satisfy consent requirements.
For me, a single mom (SMBC), showing the birth certificate listing me as the sole parent was sufficient to apply for my daughter’s passport.
Where To Apply (And Getting Photos Right)
Most families apply at a local passport acceptance facility, often a post office, library, clerk of court or similar local government office. Some facilities also offer on-site photo services; check availability and whether an appointment is required.
If you are supplying your own photo, submit one color 2×2 inch photo taken within the last 6 months. Make sure your baby is facing the camera directly, with a neutral expression. Use a plain white or off-white background with no shadows. For infants, it’s okay if a baby’s eyes aren’t fully open.
Jaynes recalls trying to get a compliant photo for her two sons and offers some tips. “Lay baby on a plain white or off-white sheet or cover a car seat with one and use bright indirect light to avoid shadows. You’ll want to shoot from above so the face is square to the camera and keep in mind no other person or supporting hands can appear in the frame.”
Fees (And What Most Families Actually Need)
As of 2025, for children under 16, the passport book costs $100 plus a $35 acceptance fee. The passport card costs $15 plus the same $35 acceptance fee. Optional add-ons: expedited processing (+$60) and 1–2 day return shipping ($22.05).
You can look for various promotions to help recoup some of those costs. Beaches Resorts has a new Tiny Traveler’s First Passport offer for families traveling with kids five and under. Guests will receive a $135 resort credit per child (up to two kids) when they show proof of a newly issued passport at check-in – the equivalent of the U.S. passport fee.
Should you get the passport card? Usually not necessary unless you frequently cross land or sea borders to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or certain Caribbean destinations, as the card is not valid for international air travel. Most families are fine with the book only, though for a minimal additional cost, getting the passport card as well may come in handy as an easy-to-carry form of identification.
How To Speed Things Up
If you’re inside 6 weeks, consider expedited service. Inside 2–3 weeks, aim for an appointment at a passport agency. Private “passport expeditor/courier” companies can hand-deliver properly executed applications to agencies that register them, but they don’t get faster processing than you would at an agency and they charge their own fees. (Avoid anyone selling appointment slots or promising special access.)
After You Apply
You can track status online and opt into email updates. When the passport arrives, your original citizenship evidence typically follows in a separate mailing. Make a paper or digital copy of your child’s passport and store it separately from the original before you travel.
Common Mistakes That Cause Delays (Or Denials)
The most common mistake is cutting it too close. Processing times plus mailing times can add up. Don’t book international flights before you know you can get the document. Photos are another common sticky spot, especially for babies. Jaynes offers, “The most common errors I see is arriving with a hospital souvenir record instead of a government-issued birth certificate – plus not bringing original birth records.”
Another incorrect assumption is thinking that it will be valid for 10 years (like an adults) and letting it expire. Children’s passports are valid 5 years and cannot be renewed; you must apply again in person with DS-11. In addition, many countries require at least six months of passport validity beyond your return date, Jaynes explains.
The Bottom Line
The child-passport process is straightforward once you know the rules: start early, plan for mailing time, bring the right documents (and the right people) and follow the photo and consent requirements to the letter. Do that and you’ll trade stress for anticipation as you get ready for your family’s first stamps.