Guidance On Obtaining A Passport For Infants

While you may think this would never happen, how do you handle getting a passport for infants when your baby's arrival date and your vacation date are way too close to each other? It is certainly wise to ask this question ahead of time so you can be prepared but planning ahead will make the experience much easier. The requirements for a newborn's passport application are very similar to those that govern adult passport applications but there are a few exceptions.

Since each country has their own rules and regulation, it is wise to investigate the rules that apply in the country you reside. The United States requires the presentation of an official birth certificate for the issuance of a newborn passport. The presentation of a birth announcement or some hospital paperwork will not suffice. While it can take a month or so to get your baby's birth certificate if left to the tradition mail service, this process will go a lot quicker if a visit is paid to the courthouse located in the birth county.

A social security number is requested on all passport applications but for a newborn passport, this space can be filled in with eight '0''s. You may think that this might slow the process of receiving your child's passport but although there may be an extra fee, delivery of the passport, unlike that of your child, can be expedited. It may cost a little more but it will be worth the piece of mind for sure.

The rules are the same when it comes to U.S. passport photos. The newborn passport must have a picture of the newborn but there are special requirements for this picture. The baby must not be wearing anything on its head and the baby's eyes must be open. This is to enable the airport customs agent to identify eye and hair color. Remember to call ahead when arranging for the newborn's passport photo as special preparations may be necessary to accommodate a newborn baby.

A child's passport, even if he or she is a newborn, is valid for up to five years. While the child may look drastically different in this amount of time, the passport remains valid. An adult's passport, on the other hand, is valid for up to ten years. The reasoning behind this is simple. A growing child's looks change more frequently than an adult, so they have to update their passport photos more often than an adult would have to.

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