Travelling, Holidays & Beyond

While you may think this would never happen, how do you handle getting a infant passport 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.

There are many misconceptions that surround this issue, as every country has a different policy. In the United States, you will need to use a birth certificate in order to verify citizenship. Hospital records or birth notices are not able to be used in place of a birth certificate. These birth certificates generally arrive around a month after birth. However, you can go to the courthouse and obtain one faster. Make sure to figure out what your county’s policy is beforehand.

While all passport applications request a social security number, it can be completed without one for a newborn baby. The government allows this information to be bypassed since it can take several months to receive your child’s social security number. The parent should simply write eight “0”’s in the spaced that would normally hold the social security number. Steps can be taken to expedite delivery of your child’s passport even if a social security number is not included. There may be an extra charge for this service but it will be money well spent.

The rules are the same when it comes to 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.

While an adult’s passport is valid for ten years, a newborn passport is valid only five years. A child’s appearance will certainly change drastically within those five years and while this does not require a new picture be taken, it does limit the life of the passport to five years.

Are you awaiting the arrival of your baby and the bon voyage party during the same month? Don’t worry. Contacting the proper agencies for pass ports, all the details and preparing ahead will ease the stress of getting a passport for babies. I can’t say that will ease the stress of the impending labor and delivery.