Getting a passport for a baby or toddler is a little different from applying for an adult passport. Your child must apply in person, both parents will usually need to give consent, and you cannot simply renew the passport when it expires.
The paperwork was manageable when we applied for our daughter’s passport. The surprisingly difficult—and funniest—part was taking her passport photo.
We did not have a good plain white wall at home, so we sat her in front of our kitchen island. One of us took photos while the other held up a phone to keep her looking in the right direction.
We captured an incredibly cute photo of her smiling. Unfortunately, passport photos for babies and toddlers are supposed to show a neutral expression. That adorable smiling picture went to our family group chat, while the serious one became her official passport photo.
If you are preparing to get your baby’s first passport, here is what you need to know.
A Child’s Passport Is Valid for Only Five Years
U.S. passports issued to children under age 16 are valid for five years. Adult passports are generally valid for ten years.
The shorter validity period makes sense because a child’s appearance changes so much during the early years, although the State Department does not specifically state that as the official reason.
There is another important difference: a child’s passport cannot be renewed using the regular adult renewal process. When it expires, the child must apply again in person using Form DS-11.
Does a Baby Have to Be Present?
Yes. Even a newborn or young baby must appear in person when applying.
In most cases, the following people must attend the appointment:
- The child
- Parent or guardian one
- Parent or guardian two
You can apply at an authorized passport acceptance facility, including many Post Offices, public libraries, and local government offices.
If you plan to use a Post Office, follow my step-by-step guide to scheduling a passport appointment at USPS.
What You Need for a Baby or Toddler’s Passport
1. Form DS-11
Complete one Form DS-11 for your child and print it on single-sided paper.
Do not sign it at home. A passport acceptance agent must witness the parent or guardian signing the form.
You will need to provide your child’s Social Security number. If your child has never been issued one, follow the State Department’s instructions for submitting a signed statement instead.
2. Proof of Your Child’s U.S. Citizenship
For a child born in the United States, this will usually be a certified birth certificate issued by the city, county, or state.
Bring:
- The original or certified birth certificate
- One photocopy of the birth certificate
A decorative hospital birth certificate is not accepted as citizenship evidence.
Other acceptable documents may include:
- Consular Report of Birth Abroad
- Certificate of Citizenship
- Previous full-validity, undamaged U.S. passport
The original citizenship document is submitted with the application and returned later, sometimes in a separate envelope from the new passport.
3. Proof of the Parental Relationship
The child’s birth certificate will normally serve two purposes: it proves the child’s U.S. citizenship and identifies the child’s parents.
Other documents that may establish the parental relationship include:
- Adoption decree
- Foreign birth certificate
- Custody decree
- Court order establishing guardianship
If a parent’s current legal name differs from the name shown on the document, bring evidence connecting the names, such as a certified marriage certificate or court-ordered name-change document.
4. Parents’ Photo IDs
Both parents or guardians should bring a physical government-issued photo ID, such as a valid driver’s license.
Also bring photocopies of the front and back of both IDs. Copies should be:
- Printed on white 8.5-by-11-inch paper
- Single-sided
- Clear and readable
If a parent’s driver’s license was issued by a different state from the one where the family is applying, that parent may need a second form of identification.
5. One Passport Photo of Your Child
Your child’s passport photo must be:
- In color
- 2 by 2 inches
- Taken within the past six months
- In front of a plain white or off-white background
- Clear and properly lit
- Free of filters, AI edits, or digital alterations
- Taken with the child facing the camera
- Taken without another person in the frame
For babies and toddlers, the State Department says the child should have a neutral expression and their full face must be visible. All children except young infants must have their eyes open. An infant’s eyes do not have to be completely open.
Pacifiers, toys, hands, and a parent’s arms cannot cover any part of the child’s face.
Tips for Taking a Baby Passport Photo at Home
Getting a baby to look directly at a camera with a neutral expression is not exactly a reasonable request—but somehow, parents have to make it happen.
A few things that may help:
- Lay a young baby on a plain white or off-white sheet and photograph from above.
- Place a white sheet over a car seat before sitting the baby in it.
- For a toddler, sit the child in front of a plain white background.
- Have one person take photos while another gets the child’s attention.
- Use bright, even natural light without casting shadows.
- Take many photos instead of trying to capture one perfect shot.
- Remove pacifiers, toys, and visible supporting hands.
- Choose a clear photo with the child facing forward.
A small, closed-mouth expression may not look dramatically different from neutral, but for a baby or toddler, the safest choice is a straightforward photo without a big grin or exaggerated expression.
You can also have the photo taken at a Post Office or another passport photo provider. However, some parents find it easier to take the photo at home, where the child is more comfortable and there is no pressure to capture the right expression immediately.
What If One Parent Cannot Attend?
If both parents share legal custody but one cannot attend, the absent parent will generally need to complete and notarize Form DS-3053, Statement of Consent.
The attending parent should bring:
- The original notarized Form DS-3053
- A photocopy of the absent parent’s ID used during notarization
The consent form and related notarized statements generally must be submitted within 90 days of being signed or notarized.
Different documentation applies if:
- One parent has sole legal custody
- One parent is deceased
- The other parent cannot be located
- A guardian or another adult is applying with the child
Check the State Department’s official child passport instructions for your specific family situation.
How Much Does a Child’s Passport Cost?
As of July 2026, the basic fees for a child under age 16 are:
| Passport type | Application fee | Acceptance fee | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passport book | $100 | $35 | $135 |
| Passport card | $15 | $35 | $50 |
| Book and card | $115 | $35 | $150 |
The passport book is required for international air travel. A passport card cannot be used for international flights.
The application fee is generally paid by check or money order to the U.S. Department of State. The $35 acceptance fee is paid separately to the acceptance facility.
Fees can change, so confirm the current amount with the official Passport Fee Calculator.
How Long Does It Take?
As of July 2026, current processing estimates are:
- Routine service: 4–6 weeks
- Expedited service: 2–3 weeks, plus a $60 fee
These estimates do not include mailing time. The State Department advises allowing up to two weeks for the application to arrive and up to two additional weeks for the completed passport to be delivered.
If your child is traveling internationally within 14 days, you may be eligible to request an appointment at a regional passport agency. Appointments are limited, and proof of international travel is required.
Baby Passport Checklist
Before the appointment, make sure you have:
- The child
- Both parents or the required consent or custody documents
- Completed but unsigned Form DS-11
- Original proof of the child’s U.S. citizenship
- Photocopy of the citizenship document
- Proof of the parental relationship
- Physical photo IDs for both parents
- Photocopies of both parents’ IDs
- One qualifying passport photo
- Check or money order for the application fee
- Separate payment for the acceptance fee
- Appointment confirmation
One Serious Photo and One Family Favorite
Applying for our daughter’s passport was not especially difficult once we had all the documents organized. Taking the photo was the memorable part.
The official passport ended up with her serious, neutral expression. The smiling photo—which was much cuter—never made it onto a government document, but it became the one everyone in the family wanted to keep.
Sometimes the rejected photo is the best one.
Passport requirements, fees, and processing times may change. This article was updated in July 2026. Confirm current information with the U.S. Department of State before applying.
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