Passports are issued by the US Department of State. Every US citizen entering or leaving the country must have a valid US passport – even newborn babies. When you apply for a passport for your newborn, you must be able to prove your baby's citizenship. In most cases, both parents are expected to appear in person, along with the baby, to submit the application. Once your baby's application is expected, it takes 4 to 6 weeks before the passport will be ready. [1]

Part 1
Part 1 of 3:

Completing the Application

  1. 1
    Download Form DS-11. You can download a copy of the passport application form for a child under the age of 16 from the State Department's website at https://eforms.state.gov/Forms/ds11.PDF . You can also pick up a paper copy at your nearest passport service facility. [2]
    • Locations of passport service facilities are provided at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/requirements/where-to-apply.html . Simply click the link next to the service you need to go to the directory. Your choice of locations will be limited if you need expedited service.
    • Read the instructions for the form completely before you start filling it out. You may want to start gathering documents before you start working on the form.
  2. 2
    Provide information about your child. The application form requires information about your child and your child's parents. Make sure you fill in all blanks of the application, but do not sign it until you submit it at a passport service facility. [3]
    • Information about your child goes in the blanks marked "applicant." On the second page of the form, you'll enter information about the child's parents.
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  3. 3
    Get a certified birth certificate for your child. To prove your child's citizenship, you must present a certified copy of your child's birth certificate, issued by a US state or territory. If your child was born in another country, you'll need a Consular's Report of Birth Abroad, which you can get from the US consulate in that country. [4]
    • The US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has contact information for vital records offices in every state and territory in the US. Visit https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/w2w/index.htm and click on the state where your child was born.
    • You may have to show your own birth certificate or government-issued photo ID to get a certified copy of your child's birth certificate. It can take a couple of weeks or longer to get a certified copy of your child's birth certificate, so plan ahead. [5]
    • You'll have to pay a fee for a certified copy of your child's birth certificate, typically under $50.
  4. 4
    Make copies of citizenship and identification papers. In addition to the certified copy, you also need photocopies of the front and back of your child's birth certificate and your identification documents. [6]
    • You also need documentation to show your parental relationship to the child. If your name appears on the child's birth certificate, a photocopy of the birth certificate can be used to show your parental relationship. If you and the child's other parent are divorced, you'll need a copy of the divorce decree.
    • When photocopying your government-issued photo ID, you cannot decrease the size, but you can enlarge it as necessary to make the photocopy legible.
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Part 2
Part 2 of 3:

Taking a Passport Photo

  1. 1
    Review the State Department's photo requirements. In most cases you can take your baby's passport photo yourself. You don't need a special camera, but you should make sure that the camera you plan to use can produce photos at the required resolution. [7]
    • Generally, the photo should be sharp without any visible pixels or printer lines. Keep in mind that you'll be cropping the photo as well.
  2. 2
    Get a white sheet or blanket. The background of your baby's passport photo must be completely white. If you use a blanket, make sure it doesn't have a print or pattern. Whatever you use should be thick enough that you won't be able to see through it in the photo. [8]
    • Using photo software to crop out or erase the background isn't allowed. The background must be a uniform white or off-white color.
  3. 3
    Lay your baby on their back. Your baby's passport photo must show the baby's entire face and eyes. Since newborns can't hold up their heads, you'll have the best luck getting the right shot if the baby is lying down. [9]
    • You can also put your baby in a car seat or carrier that you've covered in a white sheet or blanket. Make sure the color is uniform and nothing else is visible around the baby's head.
    • No one else should be in the photo but your baby, so you can't get someone to hold the baby while you take the picture.
  4. 4
    Take several photos. Take a series of photos, look at the results, and then repeat as necessary until you have a usable photo that shows your baby's entire face and eyes. It may take multiple tries to get it right. [10]
    • As best as possible, your baby should have a "neutral" expression. You can't use a photo of a crying baby. However, it is acceptable if the baby's eyes (particularly a newborn's eyes) are not fully open.
    • Make sure there are no other objects in the photo. For example, if your baby normally has a pacifier, you'll have to remove it for the photos.
  5. 5
    Correct red-eye if necessary. While the State Department generally prohibits retouching photos digitally, you are allowed to remove red eye if necessary. If using flash is necessary to avoid shadows on your baby's face, you may end up with red eye. [11]
    • The State Department does not accept passport photos with red eye. If you don't know how to remove red eye using digital photo software, retake the photo until you get one without red eye. Try taking the photo in a well-lit area and not using flash.
  6. 6
    Crop your photo to the correct size. Your baby's passport photo must be 2 x 2 in (51 x 51 mm) square. Within the photo itself, your baby's head should be from 1 - 1 3/8 in (25-35 mm) from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head. [12]
    • The State Department has a special tool you can use to crop your digital photo to the right size. Go to https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/requirements/photos.html and click on the link to crop your photo.
    • Once you've cropped your photo, take the digital file to a photo processing center and get it printed on matte or glossy paper. You can also print it at home if you have a photo printer, but don't use a dot matrix printer, as they will affect the resolution of your image.
  7. 7
    Use professional services if necessary. If the idea of taking and printing your newborn's passport photo yourself seems daunting, you can take your baby to a photographer who has experience taking passport photos. Many passport service facilities also offer this service. [13]
    • You'll have to pay a fee to have a professional take your newborn's passport photos, but it typically won't be more than $20 or so.
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Part 3
Part 3 of 3:

Submitting Your Application

  1. 1
    Gather your documentation and copies. Before you go to submit your baby's passport application, organize all your documents and make sure you have everything you need. You can use the application instructions as a checklist. [14]
    • If you are presenting a government-issued photo ID as identification, it must be issued in the state where you're submitting your newborn's application. You can use an out-of-state ID, but you'll have to present additional evidence of your identity, such as a military ID or a valid US passport.
  2. 2
    Get proof of parental consent if necessary. Both parents must appear in person at the passport service center to apply for your newborn's passport. If for some reason the child's other parent cannot go to the appointment, bring proof of parental consent. [15]
    • If only one parent can appear, get the other parent to complete Form DS-3053 and sign it in the presence of a notary. If the other parent cannot be located, complete Form DS-5525. The State Department may ask you for more information before they process your newborn's passport application.
    • You can download these forms by visiting the State Department's website at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/requirements/forms.html and clicking the appropriate link.
  3. 3
    Make an appointment at your nearest passport service center. Most passport service centers require appointments for first-time applicants. Even if an appointment is not required, making an appointment ensures minimal waiting time. [16]
    • If you need expedited processing of your newborn's passport, specify this when you're making your appointment.
    • When you make your appointment, ask about accepted methods of payment for application and acceptance fees. You can only pay your application fee using a check or money order, but there may be other payment methods available for your acceptance fees.
  4. 4
    Arrange for everyone to appear in person. Both parents and your newborn must go to the passport processing center to submit your newborn's passport application. If both parents cannot attend, make sure you have adequate proof of parental consent. [17]
    • If neither parent can attend, you can provide a notarized statement authorizing a third party to appear on the parents' behalf. The statement must be accompanied by photocopies of the parents' identification. [18]
  5. 5
    Pay your application and acceptance fees. The application and acceptance fees are paid separately. For your application fees, you'll need a check or money order made out to "U.S. Department of State." The acceptance fee of $35 goes directly to the passport service center, which may accept different forms of payment. [19]
    • The application fee depends on whether you're getting a passport book, a passport card, or both. You'll pay $80 for a passport book, $15 for a passport card, or $95 for both. [20]
  6. 6
    Check the status of your application. After you've successfully submitted your newborn's application, you can check the status by visiting https://passportstatus.state.gov/ . When your newborn's passport is ready, you can go back to the passport service center to pick it up. [21]
    • Generally, allow 4 to 6 weeks for routine applications and 2 to 3 weeks for expedited applications. [22]
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      Tips

      • If you're currently out of the country, contact the nearest U.S. consulate or embassy for information on how to submit your child's documents. Procedures vary depending on the location. [23]
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