How do I get a passport for a child?

If you plan to travel with your child, you must have a child's passport. According to travel regulations, newborn babies and children up to 17 years old must have a valid passport to travel abroad. Parents or guardians can apply for their child's passport by following the following steps mentioned below:

Go to the official website of the U.S. Department of State.
Open the Form DS-11 and fill it out on behalf of your child.
Take a printout of the filled form.
Visit an affiliated passport office with your child and spouse.
Submit the form and other required documents.
Then, pay the application and acceptance fees.
After a few weeks, the passport will be delivered to your address.

Note:- The child's passport must be applied in person by visiting the passport acceptance center/office/agency. Both parents must be present if one parent has the sole custody, one parent is deceased, or unable to be present. In such situations, additional paperwork must be completed.

Is a passport needed for minors?

Yes, passports are required for all minors traveling internationally. The process to get a passport for a child is the same as that of an adult. The process is the same, but there are some special rules to apply for a child's passport. A passport is required for everyone traveling outside of their country because it is a document of the holder's identity and citizenship, entitling them to travel under its protection to and from foreign countries. And as the rules are the same for every individual, a child also requires a passport.

Passport application for minors

For a passport application for minors, parents need to fill out Form DS-11. The form is available on the U.S. Department of State website. Fill out the form and submit the hard copy to an affiliate passport agency. The application process and acceptance can take up to 11 months. After that, the passport will be delivered to the applicant's address.

What documents do you need for a child passport?

There are a number of documents that are required to complete the passport application. All the necessary documents for applying for a child passport are listed below:

Proof of citizenship, such as birth certificate.
Proof of identity of parents, such as passport, driver's license, etc.
Recent colored passport-size photograph.
Proof of parental relationship.
Approved payment methods for fees.
Previous passport number and issue date, if applicable.

Other than these documents, the parents or guardian must be aware of the information, such as complete legal name, date of birthday, place of birth, social security number, phone number and email address, height, eye color, hair color, parental information, permanent and mailing address, school or employer name (if applicable), and previous passport number and issue date (if applicable).

At what age does a child need a passport?

All minors, whether newborns or under 17 years old, need to have a child passport when traveling abroad. As a parent or guardian, it is the responsibility of them to get a child passport from their child. For traveling internationally, a passport is a must, be it for adults or children.

How long does it take to obtain passports for children?

On average, it might take up to eight to eleven weeks to complete the passport application for children. In addition to this, it may take two weeks for the passport to arrive by email. If you want the passport in a rush, then pay $60 extra to speed up the process. It reduces the processing time of the passport to five to seven weeks in total, and for expedited shipping, you can pay $19.53, and the passport will be delivered in one to two days.

What are the benefits of a passport for a child?

There are numerous benefits of getting a passport for a child. The first and foremost benefit is that he/she will get to travel all across the world. A passport is a valid identity proof and can be used at many places as a photo ID. Getting a child's passport is easy and affordable, as the child's passport is valid only for five years, and it costs less to apply for a child's passport.

How much does a child passport cost?

The passport application fee for a child depends on the age of the child. If the child is under the age of 16 years, the child passport cost is $100, and if the child is above 16 years old, then a standard passport fee of $130 will be charged. In addition to this, there will be a $35 acceptance fee, and for getting a passport card, the fees are $15 and $30. The cost of the child's passport is comparatively less because it is valid only for five years. Remember that the payment for the application fees and acceptance fees are separate and can't be combined.

The application fees are paid to the U.S. Department of State and other countries and their respective passport departments.
The acceptance fees are paid to the acceptance center, such as the library, post office, or government centers.