Get A USA Passport For Your Baby

A common question asked by families with babies is how do I get a USA passport for my baby. Here are the steps...

It is recommended that anyone traveling outside of the United States have a valid passport, and this is even true for your baby. A passport is required in many countries and you should check with your travel destinations if you do not plan on having a passport for your baby.

In order to get a valid American passport for your child you must:
1. Fill out and print an on-line form at http://travel.state.gov/passport/forms/forms_847.htmln2. Do not sign the form until you are at the passport application office
3. Submit proof of U.S. citizenship for the baby (e.g. Certified U.S. birth certificate)
4. Submit evidence of child's relationship to parents/guardians (e.g. Certified U.S. birth certificate)
5. Provide Parental Identification (e.g. Valid driver's license)
6. Present Parental application permission document-both parents must appear together at the passport office, or one parent appears and submits a notarized statement of consent authorizing passport issuance for the child.
7. Have 2 identical passport photos of the child. It is often difficult to have passport photos taken of children under 1 year old. A full front view of the babies head and shoulders is required and parent's hands or arms may not be seen in the picture. I would call ahead to the photo studio where you are planning on having your child's photo taken and ask if they routinely take baby passport photos. If they do not you should not go there, as you do not want to go through the work of having the picture taken, standing in line at the passport office to be told that the picture is not acceptable. If you have a low chair that helps your child to sit up (e.g. Bumbo chair) this may help at the photo studio. The chair cannot be visible in the picture.
8. Submit the form, ID, photos and payments at one of over 9000 passport acceptance facilities http://iafdb.travel.state.gov/n9. The fee for a US passport for children under the age of sixteen is $82.