Do Babies Need Passports?

Every citizen of the United States of America needs a passport for international travel, including babies. In addition to obtaining a baby passport, it is also important to obtain passports for children. In the eyes of the State Department passports of children, also known as Minor Passports must be obtained by individuals under the age of sixteen. After age sixteen, an individual is permitted to apply for an adult passport. However, passports for children age sixteen and seventeen are subject to many of the same regulations that apply when obtaining a baby passport.

A baby passport or other passports require the applicant to appear in person to apply in person. Fortunately, there are more than nine thousand passport acceptance facilities across the country. Many of these locations are found in post offices, libraries, courts, or local government offices, although it is important to find the appropriate location when applying for passports for children in person.

When applying for a baby passport, both of the child's legal guardians must be present. If either is not able to attend, then the other parent should bring a notarized Statement of Consent, which is used to try to make it impossible to obtain passports for children involved in custody disputes. If there is either one parent involved in the child or baby's life, or only one parent has legal custody of the child, the parent applying for the passport will have to provide evidence of this fact.

If a Statement of Consent cannot be obtained, the parent can state their case in the "Special Circumstances" box on the Statement.

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