A New Mom's Guide to Getting a U.S. Passport for Your Baby

The fact that I began considering my daughter's passport application long before she was born truly reflects my passion for travel. While some breastfeeding essentials puzzled me, I found myself tirelessly searching online for passport information and — after her arrival — spending a significant afternoon attempting to capture a decent photo of my little explorer. Best of luck with your own baby photography; here’s everything else you need to know.

To give you a quick summary: Obtaining a passport for a child under 16 who has never had one is unfortunately not as simple as ordering online. When you're prepared to apply, both parents must take the child to an authorized location like a post office. (If only one parent can attend, there’s a workaround, but I'll explain that later.) You will need to bring a DS-11 passport application, proof of your baby's citizenship, IDs for both parents, the baby's passport photo, a $100 payment, and a $35 acceptance fee.

You can opt for additional services, like expedited processing, but we'll cover those details later. For now, the key to a smooth experience is being prepared and organized ahead of time. If you have a summer baby or are considering your baby's first passport in September, you're in luck: September is National Passport Month, which features special passport acceptance events throughout the U.S. for first-time applicants. Regardless of when you apply, here's a step-by-step guide to securing a U.S. passport for your baby.

1. Complete Form DS-11.

First-time passport applicants must fill out the two-page Form DS-11. You can either complete it online and print it or download and fill out the PDF version by hand. Ensure you print on one side only and refrain from signing the form until your appointment.

2. Collect necessary documents.

The U.S. Department of State mandates proof of your baby's citizenship, evidence of your parental relationship, and identification from both parents. Acceptable documents include a U.S. birth certificate, Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or certificate of citizenship for proving your baby's citizenship. If using a birth certificate, it also serves as proof of parental relationship. Otherwise, a foreign birth certificate, adoption decree, or custody order can be submitted alongside the citizenship document. You must provide both the original and a photocopy of each document, and the Department of State will return the birth certificate after the process is complete.

At your appointment, both parents or guardians will need to bring a driver's license, passport, or another valid form of ID. Don’t forget to have the original document and a photocopy (and ensure you get copies of both sides of your driver's license).

3. Prepare your baby's passport photo.

The requirements for passport photos remain the same, regardless of age. Your baby needs to face the camera with both eyes open. I laid a white sheet down and snapped a photo of my daughter from above, then used Walgreens' passport photo service to crop and print it. The Walgreens staff even helped by Photoshopping out the wrinkles in the backdrop. This was definitely the most challenging part of the process, so if you have a passport acceptance facility nearby that takes photos (some do, so check in advance), consider using that service.

4. Schedule an appointment if needed.

Locate a nearby passport agency, post office, or other authorized facility that processes passport applications. Some accept walk-ins, while others require an appointment. Both parents or guardians must be present with the baby; if one cannot attend, the absent parent must complete and submit a notarized DS-3053 consent form and a photocopied ID. The Department of State offers alternatives if one parent is unavailable or lacks legal authority, as well as for situations where neither parent can be present.

5. Submit the application and make payment in person.

After an agent verifies that the baby in the photo is indeed yours and attaches the photo to the application, you will sign the DS-11 form and provide two separate payments: a $100 check made out to the U.S. Department of State and a $35 acceptance fee payable to the agency. If you prefer a passport card instead of a book, the fee is only $15. The acceptance fee remains the same regardless of whether you choose a book, card, or both. For expedited processing, there's an additional $60 fee, plus $21.36 if you want the passport shipped to you within a day or two of issuance.

6. Await your baby's passport in the mail.

The processing time is typically six to eight weeks, excluding mailing durations. If you opt for expedited processing, it will take about two to three weeks. Regardless, you can track the application status. Use this waiting period to dream big about all the adventures you’ll embark on with your baby’s brand-new passport.