Do Babies Ned Passports To Travel?

If you are thinking of traveling abroad with your little one, you may be wondering as to whether babies and toddlers require a passport to travel internationally? The short answer to this question is yes, any person who uses an airplane, cruise ship or any other means of public transport needs to have a passport at any given age. But as mentioned earlier the procedure for getting a passport for a minor under the age of sixteen is slightly different from that of an adult. Here’s everything you should know about obtaining a passport for your baby or toddler before your next international trip.

When Do Babies Need Passports?

Many countries, including the United States, insist on having a valid passport for babies and children of any age when traveling outside their home country. This includes air transport as well as sea transport on cruises, ferries, and other transport ships. In the current world, newborns too have to secure a passport credential before crossing the borders. Canada now permits children below the age of five to be allowed entry in cars or trains without a passport provided they are accompanied by a parent or legal guardian with a valid ID, while the rest of the countries require babies and minors to have valid passports for entry.

How to apply for a Passport For A Baby

Applying for your child’s first passport can be done in two ways through the National Passport Processing Center: in person at an acceptance facility or passport agency or by mail. These are the procedures for a baby or a child under the age of sixteen to be issued with a passport.

1. The applicant has to fill in the government form DS-11 named Application for a U.S. Passport.

Complete all fields of registration despite child’s name, date, place of birth, address, number of Social Security, and parents/guardians.

2. Present a valid U.S. passport
You must submit the child’s birth certificate or Consular Report of Birth Abroad, which can be an original or a copy that has been authenticated. Photocopies are not accepted.

3. Present parental consent form
In the event that the baby or child is below the age of 16 years, you have to present parental consent using the DS-3053 form. Both parents or legal guardians must sign unless only one is awarded sole custody of the minor. Other cases have certain guidelines.

4. Provide ID of parents/guardians
When the child’s passport application is submitted in person, you are required to present any form of identification such as a driver’s license or a passport.

5. Submit passport photos
You require two identical 2 x 2-inch color photographs of the baby or child with a white background.

6. Pay applicable fees
A check or money order should be included with the application for standard processing of the passport fees.

7. Both in person and by mail
Once you have all the documents and photos that are necessary to complete the form, you can complete the application at an acceptance facility or mail the documents to the National Passport Processing Center for processing. The standard procedure of executing a passport normally lasts for 6-8 weeks.

Passports for emergency situations can be issued in 2-3 weeks at an additional cost of $60 plus the costs of express shipment. This is however only possible when the person physically submits the application at an acceptance facility or an agency.

Passport Card for Children or Passport Book for Babies

They may decide to apply for a passport book that entitles them to travel by air to any part of the world or apply for a passport card that permits them to travel by land or sea to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, or any Caribbean nation. As the passport card is less expensive ($15 for the card for minors under 16 with photo, while $100 for the book), it is good for the fewer forms of travel: by land and sea only.

Passport Renewal for Children

After obtaining, a U.S. passport for a child under the age of 16 is valid for five years. It must be renewed before further travel after the five years duration of the visa. Renewal procedure can also be done by mail provided that the current passport is not in any way compromised. Renewal entails form DS-82, the respective charges, an updated photograph, and photocopy of the current passport without originals or certified documents.

A valid passport is therefore an important requirement for these tourists .

Before your international travel date, make sure your child gets a passport for the first time or renew one if needed. You may know someone who has been caught in this position and it ends up taking much longer than necessary which means you will not be going on your exciting family vacation at all. The procedures highlighted above will help ensure that your baby or toddler’s documents go through the right channels and do not end up delayed or rejected. Then you can concentrate in packing their small suitcase because they know their passport to other countries is at the top. Safe travels!

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