How to Get a Passport for Kids: A Step-by-Step Guide for Parents

Learn exactly how to get a passport for your child, including required documents, application tips, and what to expect at your appointment. A complete, parent-friendly guide to getting your passport for kids stress-free!

Whether you’re planning an international spring break, prepping for going abroad, or simply want to be ready for the right deal on plane tickets, getting your passports in order should be at the top of your to-do list. Getting a passport for your child might seem overwhelming at first, but it’s actually pretty straightforward once you know the steps.

We’ve gone through the process multiple times with our three kids and I’m breaking it all down to make it simple and stress-free for you. Whether you’re planning a big international trip or just want to have a passport ready for future adventures, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about getting a passport for kids — from documents you’ll need to tips that make the appointment easier.

Below is a quick video of the whole process, and more detailed written guide! 👇👇👇

Who Needs a Passport?

In short—everybody. Every U.S. citizen needs a valid U.S. passport to fly internationally. This includes: newborns (yes, really!), infants, toddlers, teens, and adults.

There are a handful of exceptions regarding travel across national borders by land or sea. If you drive into Canada or Mexico, you could technically use an original birth certificate or passport card, but I would really just recommend having a passport for kids, for safety’s and simplicity’s sake.

What’s the difference between Passport vs. Passport card?

Both a passport book and a passport card are official U.S. travel documents, but they have very different uses.

📘Passport Book:

What it is: The traditional passport booklet (the one with pages that are stamped).
Where can you use it: International air travel and land and sea travel to any country.
Cost: For children under 16 years old it’s $100, and $130 for Adults.
Best for: Anyone planning to fly internationally.

💳 Passport Card:

What it is: A wallet-sized card that looks like a driver’s license
Where can you use it: Land or sea travel to Canada, Mexico, The Caribbean, or Bermuda. NOT valid for international air travel.
Cost: For children under 16 years old $15 dollars or $30 dollars for adults.
Best for: Families who take cruises to the mentioned destinations or want to drive into Canada or Mexico.

Depending on your family’s travel plans, you may be able to save some money by choosing just a passport card. When you apply for a passport book, you can easily add on the passport card for an additional fee. A a passport book is still the safest and most flexible option, especially if there’s an emergency and you or a family member needed to fly home.

Regardless of which option you choose, there is a $35 acceptance fee in addition to the application fee, so be sure to factor that in to your total cost per application.

Where do I apply?

You’ll need to apply in person with both parents and the child present, at a passport acceptance facility, such as:

📍Post offices
📍Some public libraries
📍County clerk offices

Use the U.S. State Department’s passport facility locator to find the nearest location near you. I would recommend to schedule an appointment, but some locations do allow for drop in visits. A reminder that both parents or both legal guardians present when you apply!

What do I need to bring?

📋Here is your checklist of everything you need to bring with you:

✅Completed Form DS-11
-Print out the form and complete it ahead of time. But don’t sign it until you’re at the passport acceptance facility in person!

✅Proof of U.S. Citizenship for the Child
-A certified U.S. birth certificate and a copy. You’ll need both the original document and a copy for most of these.

✅Parental Identification
-Valid government-issued photo ID and a copy. Think driver’s license, passport, military identification, or government employee identification. Make sure you have a front and back copy.

✅Proof of Parental Relationship
-Original Birth certificates listing parents and a copy. Or adoption decree or custody document if applicable.

✅Parental Consent
-Both parents must be present. If one parent can’t attend you’ll need a notarized form DS-3053 and a copy of their ID.

✅Passport Photo
-You’ll need one 2×2 color photo that meets all the legal requirements. We took ours at home and had them printed at Walmart which was super easy. You can follow this link to read through the requirements: U.S. Passport Photo Requirements. Some of the basic requirements include no hats, headbands, pacifiers, and that the photo has been taken in the last 6 months. All photos must have a white background. For infants, they can lie on a white blanket or sheet to snap a photo.
**Some locations will take the photo right there for a fee.

✅Form of payment
Depending on where you schedule your appointment, you may not be able to pay with cash or card, you might only be able to pay by check. To avoid a second trip, make sure you meet their payment requirements.

How long does it take?

Depending on where you live, it may be a few days or weeks to schedule an appointment to complete your passport application. Generally, it can take anywhere from 6-8 weeks after your application is submitted to receive your passport. If needed, you could pay for expedited services, but even after paying an additional rush fee, it will still be a minimum of 2-3 weeks.

After your application is submitted, you will be able to check the status online. If you included an email on your application, you will also receive updates via email.

Once you receive the passport, keep in mind that children’s passports are valid for 5 years and cannot be renewed. When they expire, you’ll need to repeat the application process in-person again. For individuals aged 16 and older, passports are valid for 10 years and can be renewed online, which can save a lot of time.

Tips for a smooth process

• Plan to be Patient
  Even with an appointment you may end up waiting in line for a bit. Getting passport for kids can take additional time as they will want to verify information with kids as an extra security measure, which we are grateful for! Pack snacks and maybe something for kids to do while waiting. Just in case!
• Don’t wait until the last minute
  Even after your passport application is submitted, it can still take a few fews to months before it arrives. Schedule your appointment early, and give yourself leeway incase you have to reschedule.
• Make Digital Copies
  Have digital copies of everything for your personal records and as an easy way to print copies. Once your passport does arrive, create a digital copy too, just in case.
• Check expiration dates before traveling
  Some countries (and airlines) require passports to valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates. That includes passports for kids and adults, so to air on the safe side make sure your family isn’t traveling in that window of expiration.
• Prep you kid(s) ahead of time
  They did ask our kids some very basic questions. They were 8 months and 2.5 years old so they just asked our toddler. They asked him his name and who his mom and dad were (her just pointed to us). They were super kind and understanding but it can be hepful to let your kid know they might be asked a question or two.

Getting a passport for your child might feel like a big task, but with a little preparation (and doubling checking you have everything), it’s totally doable. Hopefully, this guide has taken some of the guesswork out of the process and made things feel a bit more manageable. If you have any questions or want more info, drop them in comments!

If you enjoyed this post about How to Get a Passport for Kids and are looking for more tips and tricks on traveling with kids, Check out these other posts!