How to Apply for Your Baby’s First Passport in 5 Easy Steps

Ready to travel abroad with your little one? Don’t forget your baby’s first passport!

Traveling with a little one is exciting, stressful, chaotic, but most of all memorable. If you’re ready to start hopping time zones with your little one, then the first step is making sure that kiddo has a passport. Applying for your baby’s first passport can feel overwhelming when you first read through the US Department of State website. That is mostly because the website has to cover every scenario.

The first time I read through the steps, my sleep-deprived mom brain could not assemble the instructions on how to fill out the forms, what documents I needed, and how many copies of each docurment I needed to make. Fortunately, one thing I did learn from years of schooling is how to take good notes. Benefit from my struggle – I present to you my simple break down of how to apply for your baby’s first US passport in 5 easy steps.

The US Department of State requires that both parents/guardians approve the passport application for the child and both parents/guardians must go with the child to apply for the passport in person. If one or both parents/guardians cannot apply with the child, then there are more forms that need to be filled out. The steps below are for the IDEAL situation where both parents/guardians approve AND both are available to attend the acceptance appointment in person. Check the US Department of State website for the extra forms that are needed if the ideal situation does not apply to you.

These instructions are valid at the time of writing of this post. However, always double check the US Department of State website for the most updated instructions before applying for your baby’s first passport.

1. Start the Passport Application Process EARLY

When I say early, I mean start the passport application as soon as you have an inkling that you may want to possibly travel with your kiddo out of the country. The US Department of State website says that it takes up to 2 weeks for applications to arrive at the processing center + routine processing takes 6-8 weeks + up to 2 weeks for the passport to be mailed after printing. That means it can take up to 12 weeks (3 months) from passport application submission until that passport is in your hands and ready to go. And those processing times can sometimes be even longer (check the US Department of State website for current processing times). That also does not take into account when the soonest appointment at a passport acceptance facility is available. Depending on location, there may be a couple weeks wait.

With that said, I highly recommend applying for your baby’s first passport at least 3 months before your trip. Traveling with a kiddo is chaotic enough. You don’t need the added stress of worrying if your baby’s passport will arrive in time.

2. Gather Your Necessary Documents

Before filling out any forms, make sure you have all the official documents you will need to submit with your application. The required documents are: evidence of US citizenship, proof of parental relationship, photo ID of parents/guardians, and a photo of the baby. All of these documents have to be on paper, no digital copies will be accepted. Have all of your photocopies made BEFORE you go to your appointment at the passport acceptance facility. The passport acceptance facility probably will not make the copies for you.

The US Department of State website lists all the documents that qualify for each required document, but the simplest way to meet all the requirements is to have the following documents:

• Original copy of the baby’s birth certificate
• An additional photocopy of the baby’s birth certificate
• Both parents’ photo ID (we used drivers licenses)
• Photocopies of the front and back of both parents’ photo ID
• Baby’s passport photo

Some important details about these necessary documents:

Baby’s birth certificate

Your baby’s birth certificate will meet the requirement of the evidence of US citizenship AND the proof of parental relationship. You need to provide the baby’s original birth certificate that is issued by the city, county, or state of birth. This is NOT that piece of paper the hospital gives you that verifies you gave birth there. Usually you need to apply for a printed official birth certificate from your local Department of Public Health Office of Vital Records.

You will need to submit the original birth certificate and a copy of the birth certificate with your baby’s passport application, but you will receive the original birth certificate back in the mail up to 8 weeks after receiving your baby’s new passport. Make sure the photocopy is printed on 8.5×11 inch paper, is in black and white, and is single sided.

Parents’ Photo ID

The US Department of State website has a list of accepted parent photo IDs. Basically, whatever photo ID you personally use to get through security when you travel will satisfy this requirement. Both parents will need to bring the actual photo ID AND a photocopy of the front and back of each photo ID. Make sure the photocopy is printed on 8.5×11 inch paper, is in black and white, and is single sided. Do not decrease the image size of the photo ID.

Baby’s Passport Photo

You can try to take baby’s passport photos on your own, but consider if it’s really worth the extra struggle to save that $10-$20. There are specific requirements that passport photos have to meet, and even if you can get a good photo of your baby at home, you may have a hard time finding a place to print it to the correct size if the file is not the right size. You don’t want your passport application to be rejected because your passport photo was not up to standard. Take your passport photos at local drugstores, UPS stores, Fedex stores, or even some post offices.

DO NOT staple or attach your passport photo to the passport application! The acceptance agent will do that part for you during your appointment.

3. Fill Out Form DS-11 and PRINT IT OUT

Form DS-11 is the passport application. You can use the Form Filler Tool to fill out the form online and print it at home. Note that the Form Filler Tool is NOT an online application. It is simply a tool that helps you fill out the form. After completing the form, you will still need to print out the form and bring it with you to your appointment.

After you print it out, DOUBLE CHECK everything to make sure there are no errors or typos. The Form Filler Tool will generate a paper form with a unique bar code at the top, so if you make any mistakes you will need to start all over and create a new form with a new barcode. The Form Filler Tool does not save your information. If you are unsure of how to fill out any of the fields, click the ? icon for more directions.

Some tips for filling out Form DS-11:

• Your baby will need a social security number.
• Under “Occupation,” enter “child.”
• If you anticipate a lot of travel and want extra pages in the passport book, you can check the ‘large book’ box at the top of Form DS-11. There is no additional cost for this.
• DO NOT SIGN THE FORM until asked to do so at the passport acceptance facility.
• DO NOT STAPLE your baby’s passport photo to Form DS-11. The passport acceptance facility will do that for you.

4. Find a Passport Acceptance Facility to Submit Your Baby’s First Passport Application

Now that you have your DS-11 form filled out and printed, and you have paper copies of all your necessary documents AND photocopies, it’s time to make an appointment with a passport acceptance facility to submit your baby’s passport application.

Use this Passport Acceptance Facility Search to find your nearest facility. Clicking on the facility name will give you additional information on how to schedule an appointment at that facility. If your nearest Passport Acceptance Facility is a US post office, you can schedule a passport appointment with the post office online.

5. Attend Your Appointment at the Passport Acceptance Facility with Baby and BOTH Parents

The US Department of State requires BOTH parents AND the baby to be present during the passport acceptance appointment for your baby’s first passport. (If one parent is not available, fill out the extra forms which can be found on the US Department of State website.)

Bring the following items with you to the appointment:

• Original copy of the baby’s birth certificate
• An additional photocopy of the baby’s birth certificate
• Both parents’ photo ID (we used drivers licenses)
• Photocopies of the front and back of both parents’ photo ID
• Baby’s passport photo
• Printed copy of Form DS-11
• Checkbook to pay the passport fees (you will write 2 separate checks)
• Any extra forms that are needed for special situations
• Diaper bag, snacks or milk, and toys (because even though you have an appointment does not guarantee it will be quick or on time)

Calculating Passport Fees

I recommend bringing your checkbook with you to the passport acceptance appointment. Writing the checks when you are with the agent ensures you write the checks correctly. Most passport acceptance facilities will have example checks for you to follow to ensure you fill out your checks correctly.

You will need to pay 2 separate fees (using 2 separate checks) for your baby’s first passport, an application fee and an execution fee. The application fee will go with your application to the US Department of State. The execution fee goes to the passport acceptance facility that receives your application. For a passport book, the application fee is $100 and the execution fee is $35. If you need expedited processing, that additional fee is added to the application fee. The expedited processing fee is an additional $60 and the expedited mailing fee is an additional $21.36.

And You’re Done!

That wasn’t so bad, right? Now you just have to hurry up and wait for your baby’s first passport to arrive in the mail and you can start planning your international trip. In the meantime, you can subscribe to email updates about your baby’s passport application status. Keep in mind that it can take 2 weeks from from the day you apply until your baby’s application status is marked “In Process.” Go get that baby a passport, mama! (Or dada. But let’s be honest, it’s usually mama.)

While you’re waiting for your baby’s first passport to process, consider if it is worth it for you to sign up for Global Entry. Global Entry is a program that allows you to breeze through customs screenings when you return to the US after traveling abroad. Global Entry approval also includes TSA precheck approval. I find anything that can help me avoid long lines or long waits worth it when traveling with a small child. The other bonus is that as of 2024, children under 18 years old no longer have to pay a fee when a parent is already a member of Global Entry.

The Global Entry application does require a fee. However, many travel credit cards (like the Chase Sapphire Reserve card) reimburse the Global Entry application fee. While these credit cards do have a hefty annual fee, there are perks like travel reimbursements that can help to offset the annual fee.

Got your baby’s first passport and ready for some travel inspo for your first international trip with your little one? Check out my toddler-approved Canadian Rockies road trip itinerary to Banff and Jasper or to Banff, Jasper, AND Vancouver! Or if you’re ready to go further afield, check out my toddler-friendly itinerary to Switzerland!