Once upon a time, a small child or infant was able to travel on their parent’s passport. Usually, this would be the child’s mother. Today, every US citizen is required to have their own passport for international travel. If the family is travelling in a hurry, it is possible to apply for an expedited passport for newborn infant. This can be done by the parents themselves or by an agency that is set up and accustomed to process these sorts of applications.
Requirements
Applying for an infant’s passport is a little more complicated than obtaining one for a grown-up. The child’s birth certificate is required, along with proof of parental identification and consent for the infant to travel. Also required are the Social Security Numbers of both parents, proof of travel intent, completed application form, two photographs and payment of the necessary fee. There are five urgency levels for an infant passport, 24-Hour, Next Day, Priority, Rush and Expedited. It requires approximately two weeks for processing and the passport is mailed directly to the parent or parents.
DS-11
Form DS-11 (Application for a Passport), may be obtained from an Acceptance Facility or a passport agency. It is also available online, where it may be completed and then printed or it may be printed out and completed by hand. It is important that the form remain unsigned until instructed by a passport agent.
Submission
The passport will be valid for five years and it may not be renewed. The application needs to be submitted in person and the baby itself has to be there.
Photos
There are very precise requirements for the infant’s photograph that is going to appear on the passport. It must be 2″ x 2″ and the head of the baby has to be between 1 inch and 1-3/8 inches. The baby’s head must be unadorned by a hat or anything else. The photo cannot be more than six months old when the application is submitted.
Photo Requirements
The look on the child’s face must be natural. This means there can be no smiling, laughing, screaming or crying. Their mouth must be shut and must not contain a pacifier or anything else. The child should face the camera straight on and looking directly at it. Nothing apart from the infant can be visible in the photo. This includes the parent’s hands, face or arms. There cannot even be a car seat in the picture. It may be easier to pay extra and have this done by a professional photographer.
Citizenship
Proof of United States citizenship of the parents is also required. This may be a valid passport, certified birth certificate, Consular Report of Birth (Form DS-240), Certification of Report of Birth (Form DS-1350) or a naturalization certificate or a certificate of citizenship.
If both parents cannot be present at the time of application for an expedited passport for newborn, it is necessary to complete a Form DS-3053 (Issuance of a Passport to a Minor Under Age 16). A notarized written statement from the absent parent is acceptable. If you are in a hurry, it is possible to obtain a American pasport renewal for your baby within as little as 24 hours.