Do Infants Need Passports? Rules You Should Know

The first time I flew internationally with my oldest, Chloe, she was four months old. I had spent weeks researching which stroller to gate-check, whether to pack formula in my carry-on, and how to survive a six-hour flight with a newborn. What I almost forgot to research until two weeks before our departure date was whether she even needed her own passport. She did, and we barely made our application deadline. If you’re in the middle of planning a trip and this question just hit you, here’s everything you need to know about do infants need passports, straight from official sources and hard experience.

When Does An Infant Need A Passport?

Here is exactly when a baby needs a passport:

International Air Travel

For any international flight with a baby, every passenger requires their own valid passport, including infants who are being held in a parent’s lap. Airlines check passports at check-in, and border control agents check them again upon entry into the destination country. Without a valid passport, an infant will not be permitted to board an international flight.

If you’re traveling to a country that also requires a visa, the visa goes in the passport. Infants are not exempt from visa requirements either. Always check the entry requirements for your specific destination country before you book travel.

International Travel by Land or Sea

Land and sea travel between countries can have different document requirements depending on the specific countries involved. US citizens traveling between the United States and Canada or Mexico by land or sea may use other accepted documents, such as a passport card, an Enhanced Driver’s License, or a NEXUS card in certain circumstances. However, the safest and most universally accepted document for any international travel remains a passport book.

If you’re crossing a border by car or cruise ship, check the specific requirements for both your departure country and your destination before you travel. Requirements vary by country, and rules can change.

Domestic Travel

Within the United States, infants and children do not need a passport for domestic flights. The TSA does not require identification for travelers under 18 flying domestically (source). Airlines may occasionally ask for proof of a child’s age if you are requesting an infant lap fare, though this is more common when checking in for the flight than at security. A birth certificate typically satisfies this request.

How To Apply for An Infant Passport

Applying for a US passport for an infant involves a few more steps than applying for an adult passport, but the process follows a clear sequence once you know what to expect.

Step 1. Gather the Required Documents

Before your appointment, assemble every document on this list. Missing even one item means you’ll be turned away and need to reschedule, which can cost you weeks.

You’ll need your child’s proof of US citizenship, which is most commonly their original certified birth certificate with a raised seal, registrar’s signature, and filing date. A hospital-issued birth announcement is not acceptable. Only a certified copy from the state vital records office will work.

You’ll also need two identical 2×2-inch passport photos of your baby, taken within the last six months. Both parents must present a valid, government-issued photo ID at the time of application. You’ll need documentation showing the parental relationship, which the birth certificate typically provides.

Step 2. Complete the Application

US infant passports use Form DS-11, the same application form used for first-time adult passport applications. You can complete the form online using the State Department’s form filler tool, then print it single-sided. Do not sign the form before your appointment. A passport acceptance agent must witness your signature at the facility.

Both parents must consent to the passport being issued. Both parents must either appear together in person at the passport acceptance facility, or the parent who cannot attend must complete Form DS-3053, Statement of Consent, have it signed and notarized, and submit it within 90 days of the appointment. A copy of the absent parent’s photo ID must accompany the form.

If one parent has sole legal custody, you can apply without the other parent’s consent by providing supporting documentation such as a certified court order, the other parent’s death certificate, or a certified copy of the birth certificate listing only one parent.

Step 3. Submit the Application

Infant passport applications must be submitted in person at an authorized passport acceptance facility. Acceptance facilities include many US post offices, some libraries, county clerk offices, and other government offices. Both the child and both parents, or the child and one parent with the other parent’s notarized consent, must be present.

Routine processing currently takes 4 to 6 weeks. Expedited processing takes 2 to 3 weeks for an additional $60 fee. For urgent travel within 14 calendar days, you can schedule an appointment at a regional passport agency with proof of your upcoming travel. Mailing time of up to 2 weeks is separate from processing time, so factor both into your planning.

What Documents Do Parents Usually Need?

Here is the complete checklist to bring to the passport acceptance facility appointment:

• Your child’s original certified birth certificate, which proves both US citizenship and parental relationship.
• Two passport photos of your baby, 2×2 inches, taken within the last six months.
• Your own valid government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license or current passport.
• A photocopy of your ID for the acceptance agent to keep on file.
• The completed Form DS-11, not yet signed.
• Payment for the application fee and the execution fee.

NOTE: As of April 2026, the standard fees are $100 for a child passport book plus a $35 execution fee paid at the facility. A $60 expedite fee applies if you choose expedited processing. Confirm current fees at travel.state.gov before your appointment, as fees are updated periodically.

How To Take A Passport Photo for An Infant

Getting a usable passport photo of a newborn or young infant is one of the more challenging parts of the whole process. Most pharmacies and photo studios offer passport photo services for infants, but you can take the photo at home with a smartphone if you follow the requirements carefully.

Background and Lighting Tips

Place your child on a plain white or off-white sheet, or cover a car seat with the sheet and place your child in the seat for the photo. Make sure there are no shadows on your child’s face. Natural light from a large window works well.

Avoid flash, which creates harsh shadows and can wash out skin tones. Two soft lamps positioned at 45-degree angles on either side of the baby produce even, shadow-free lighting indoors.

Positioning Your Baby Safely

For newborns who cannot hold their heads up independently, lay the baby on their back on a white sheet or blanket placed on the floor and photograph from directly above. The white blanket serves as your background.

For babies who can sit with support, place them in a car seat covered with a white sheet, making sure no straps or the car seat structure are visible in the frame. No other person, including hands supporting the baby, may appear in the photo.

Common Reasons Photos Are Rejected

The most frequent rejections happen when the background is not truly white, when shadows fall across the baby’s face, when a parent’s hand is visible in the frame, or when objects like toys or pacifiers appear in the shot.

No other person can be in the photo. The child must face the camera. The child’s full face must be visible.

One reassuring exception: It is okay if a baby’s eyes are not entirely open. For infants under 12 months, partially open eyes are permitted as long as the face is visible and forward-facing.

How Long Does It Take To Get An Infant Passport?

Routine processing takes 4 to 6 weeks. Expedited processing takes 2 to 3 weeks. Neither timeline includes mailing time, which can add up to 2 weeks in each direction.

If you factor in the full timeline, routine processing from application submission to receipt of a passport can take 6 to 8 weeks. Expedited processing from submission to receipt realistically takes 4 to 5 weeks.

For urgent travel, you can schedule an appointment at a regional passport agency if your international travel date is within 14 calendar days. You must have proof of travel, such as a flight itinerary, to book this appointment type.

The practical advice most parents wish they had heard earlier: apply as soon as possible after your baby is born if you have any international travel planned in the first year.

Passport applications can be submitted very shortly after birth once you have the certified birth certificate in hand, and getting ahead of the timeline eliminates the stress of cutting it close.

Do not book non-refundable international travel before you have submitted the passport application, and ideally not before the passport has been received.

How Long Is An Infant Passport Valid?

Passports for children under age 16 are valid for 5 years and cannot be renewed. When your child’s passport expires, you must apply for an entirely new passport in person, following the same process as the original application. You cannot renew a child’s passport by mail or online.

Because children’s faces change significantly over five years, the State Department requires this in-person re-application each time. Once your child turns 16, they become eligible for an adult passport valid for 10 years, which can be renewed by mail when it expires.

Before booking any international trip, check your child’s passport expiration date. Many countries require a passport to be valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned return date. A passport that expires two months after your trip may still be technically valid, but could prevent entry into certain destinations.

Can A Baby Travel Internationally Without A Passport?

In most situations, no. The United States requires its citizens, including infants, to carry a valid US passport when traveling internationally by air. All minors, regardless of age, including newborns and infants, must have their own passport when traveling.

Limited exceptions exist for travel between the US, Canada, Mexico, and some Caribbean destinations by land or sea, where passport cards or other WHTI-compliant documents may be accepted.

However, these exceptions do not apply to air travel. Even on a cruise that departs and returns to a US port, it is strongly advisable to carry a full passport book in case of emergency medical evacuation or unplanned disembarkation at a foreign port.

Always verify entry requirements for your specific destination through official government sources, specifically the US State Department’s country information pages at travel.state.gov, before making any travel plans.

Common Mistakes Parents Make When Applying For An Infant Passport

Waiting until the last minute is the biggest mistake you can make. Processing times, appointment availability, and mailing delays are all outside your control. Apply as early as possible.

Submitting an incorrect passport photo is the most common reason for application rejection or delay. Shadow on the face, a non-white background, a visible hand or prop, or a parent appearing in the frame all result in rejection. Take multiple photos, check them carefully before your appointment, and consider taking them to a pharmacy that offers photo services if you’re unsure about your home photos.

Forgetting the notarized consent form when one parent cannot attend creates a trip back to the notary and a rescheduled appointment. If only one parent can be present, complete Form DS-3053 in advance, have it notarized, and confirm it was signed within the last 90 days.

Booking non-refundable flights before receiving the passport is a risk that has cost families real money. Processing times fluctuate, and delays happen. Avoid committing to non-refundable bookings until the passport is in hand.

Assuming a child can travel on a parent’s passport is no longer valid, and hasn’t been for some time. Every traveler needs their own document.

Tips For Traveling Internationally With An Infant

International travel with a little one is easier when you know what to expect ahead of time. Here are a few simple tips to make international travel easier:

Keep Travel Documents Easily Accessible

Store your baby’s passport and your own in one secure, easy-to-reach pouch that stays with you at all times during transit. A travel document organizer that holds multiple passports, boarding passes, and a credit card lets you move through check-in and border control smoothly without digging through your carry-on.

Bring Copies of Important Records

Carry photocopies of your baby’s passport photo page, birth certificate, and any applicable vaccination records in a separate bag from the originals. If your documents are lost or stolen, copies help significantly when working with a US consulate to replace them.

Arrive Early at the Airport

With an infant, everything takes longer: stroller check, car seat check, getting through security with baby gear, and feeding or soothing a baby before boarding. Add at least 30 to 60 extra minutes to your usual airport arrival time for international flights. Border control at your destination can also take longer with a baby if questions arise about documentation.

Check Airline Policies for Infants

Each airline has its own policies on lap infant fees, bassinets, early boarding, and carry-on allowances for baby gear. Lap infant fares for international flights often carry a fee, typically 10% of the adult ticket price on international routes. You’ll need your baby’s passport information to book the infant ticket.

Pack Essentials in Your Carry-On

Keep feeding supplies, diapers, a change of clothes, medications, and comfort items in your carry-on rather than in checked luggage. Checked bags get delayed or lost. Your carry-on needs to function as your complete baby supply kit for the duration of travel. Read our full guide on what to pack for international travel with a baby.

Related: Best Diaper Bag for International Travel

Do Infants Need Passports Frequently Asked Questions:

Here are answers to some of the most common questions parents ask:

Does a newborn need a passport to travel internationally?

Yes. There is no minimum age for a passport requirement. A newborn needs their own valid passport for international air travel, regardless of how recently they were born. The earliest you can apply is after the certified birth certificate is available, which is typically a few weeks after birth.

Can an infant be added to a parent’s passport?

No. The United States no longer allows children to be added to a parent’s passport. Each traveler, including infants, must hold their own individual passport document.

Do babies need passports for domestic flights?

No. Within the United States, infants and children do not need a passport or government-issued ID for domestic flights. The TSA does not require identification for travelers under 18. An airline may request proof of age for an infant lap fare, for which a birth certificate suffices.

How soon after birth can a baby get a passport?

You can apply for your baby’s passport as soon as you have the required documents in hand, which means a certified birth certificate with a raised seal from the state vital records office. There is no minimum age. Many parents apply within the first few weeks of birth if international travel is planned.

What if only one parent is traveling with the baby?

If you are traveling internationally with your baby and the other parent is not with you, some countries require documentation proving consent from the non-traveling parent, particularly to prevent international parental abduction. Carrying a notarized letter of consent from the other parent is strongly recommended, even when not legally required by your destination. Check the entry requirements for your specific destination in advance.

How long does an infant’s passport remain valid?

Passports for children under age 16 are valid for 5 years and cannot be renewed. You must apply for a new passport in person each time your child’s passport expires. Check expiration dates well before planning any international trip, and confirm your destination’s passport validity requirements, as many countries require at least 6 months of validity beyond your travel dates.

Do Infants Need Passports Key Takeaway

Do infants need passports? The answer is yes, for all international air travel, without exception. No infant is too young to need one, and no child can travel on a parent’s document. Start the application process as early as possible, gather your documents carefully, and apply well before you book non-refundable travel. The process takes some coordination, but once your baby’s passport arrives in the mail, you’ll have everything you need to take on that first adventure together. You’ve got this.