An infant needs a separate passport book for international air travel. There is no minimum age. You can apply once you have the baby’s citizenship and parental-relationship documents, such as a certified birth certificate or Consular Report of Birth Abroad.
The baby must appear in person with Form DS-11. Both parents or guardians must also appear unless you submit the documents required when one parent cannot attend or one parent has sole authority.
Infant Passport Requirements at a Glance
| Requirement | What you need to know |
|---|---|
| Application form | Complete Form DS-11, but do not sign it until the acceptance agent instructs you to sign. |
| Who must attend | The infant and both parents or guardians must appear in person unless an approved consent or sole-authority exception applies. |
| Citizenship and relationship | Bring original evidence of the baby’s U.S. citizenship and a document showing the parents’ or guardians’ names. |
| Passport photo | Submit one compliant 2-by-2-inch photo. An infant’s eyes do not have to be entirely open. |
| Validity | A passport issued to a child under 16 is valid for 5 years and cannot be renewed. |
| Current cost | $135 for a passport book, $50 for a passport card, or $150 for both. |
| Processing | Routine service is 4 to 6 weeks. Expedited service is 2 to 3 weeks and costs an additional $60. Mailing time is separate. |
Do not mail a routine application. Attend a regional passport agency appointment, or use a registered passport courier service to provide personalized support and handle the logistics for you.
How to Get an Infant Passport in 7 Steps
Gather Citizenship and Parental-Relationship Documents
Bring original evidence of the baby’s U.S. citizenship. Accepted documents include:
- A certified U.S. birth certificate.
- A Consular Report of Birth Abroad.
- A Certificate of Citizenship.
The document must also show the relationship between the baby and the applying parents or guardians. A birth certificate or Consular Report of Birth Abroad that lists both parents can serve as citizenship evidence and proof of parental relationship.
Bring a photocopy of the citizenship document on white, letter-sized paper. The State Department will return the original separately from the passport.
Check the names before the appointment.
If a parent’s current name does not match the name on the baby’s birth or relationship document, bring the legal name-change record that connects the two names.
Complete Form DS-11 for the Baby
Complete Form DS-11 using the baby’s information. Print it single-sided on white, letter-sized paper.
Do not sign the form before the appointment. The acceptance agent must administer the oath and watch the parent or guardian sign for the child.
Use the baby’s Social Security number, not a parent’s number. If the baby has never been issued a Social Security number, include a signed and dated statement declaring that fact under penalty of perjury.
Prepare Parental Consent and Identification
Both parents or guardians should appear with the infant and present physical government-issued photo identification. Bring a photocopy of the front and back of each ID on white, letter-sized paper.
When one parent cannot attend, the applying parent will normally need:
- A notarized Form DS-3053 from the absent parent.
- A photocopy of the front and back of the absent parent’s photo ID.
- The consent form submitted within 90 days of notarization.
A parent with sole legal authority can submit the document that proves that authority, such as a court order granting sole custody, a birth certificate listing only one parent, or the other parent’s death certificate.
When the other parent cannot be located or contacted, Form DS-5525 can be submitted with a detailed explanation and supporting evidence. Approval is not automatic.
Take the Infant Passport Photo
The baby needs one color passport photo taken within the last six months. The photo must be 2 by 2 inches, use a plain white or off-white background, and show the baby alone.
- Lay the baby on a plain white or off-white sheet, or cover a car seat with the sheet.
- Keep the baby’s full face visible and remove pacifiers, toys, bottles, and adult hands from the frame.
- Avoid shadows on the baby’s face and background.
- It is acceptable if an infant’s eyes are not entirely open.
- Do not digitally remove shadows, change the background, or alter the baby’s appearance.
See our passport photo requirements and guide to passport photo locations.
See an Infant Passport Application from Start to Finish
The video below follows Justin and Elba as they apply for a passport for their newborn son, Dylan. It covers the documents, photo, appointment, payment, tracking, and delivery steps.
Find an Acceptance Facility and Book the Appointment
Infant passport applications must be submitted in person at an authorized passport acceptance facility, passport agency, or passport center.
Use the State Department’s Passport Acceptance Facility Locator to find a post office, clerk of court, public library, or other facility near you. Contact the facility directly to confirm appointment availability, photo services, payment methods, and whether each child needs a separate appointment.
The infant must attend the appointment even though a parent or guardian completes and signs the application.
Prepare the Two Passport Payments
You will make one payment to the U.S. Department of State and a separate payment to the acceptance facility.
| Document | State Department fee | Acceptance fee | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passport book | $100 | $35 | $135 |
| Passport card | $15 | $35 | $50 |
| Passport book and card | $115 | $35 | $150 |
Pay the State Department application fee by check or money order payable to “U.S. Department of State.” Write the child’s full name and date of birth in the memo section. The acceptance facility sets its own payment methods for the $35 fee.
Expedited processing adds $60 to the State Department payment. Confirm all current charges on our passport fees page.
Submit the Application and Track Its Status
At the appointment, the acceptance agent will review the documents, verify the parents’ or guardians’ identification, administer the oath, witness the signature, and seal the application packet.
Application status can take up to two weeks to appear. Check the official Passport Application Status portal using the baby’s last name, date of birth, and last four digits of the baby’s Social Security number.
The passport and original supporting documents can arrive in separate mailings. A child’s passport is valid for 5 years. When it expires, submit a new Form DS-11 application in person; passports issued to children under 16 cannot be renewed.
Special Infant Passport Situations
Only One Parent Is Listed on the Birth Certificate
A birth certificate listing only one parent can establish sole authority to apply. Bring the original or certified copy and a photocopy.
The Parents Are Divorced
Divorce alone does not remove the other parent’s consent rights. Bring a court order showing sole legal custody or specific authority to apply for the passport, or obtain the other parent’s notarized consent.
Neither Parent Can Attend
A third party can apply with the child when both parents provide notarized statements authorizing that person to apply, along with photocopies of both parents’ IDs. The acceptance facility can request additional documentation.
Infant Passport FAQs
You can apply as soon as you have acceptable citizenship and parental-relationship evidence, such as a certified birth certificate or Consular Report of Birth Abroad. There is no minimum age.
Yes. Every child under 16, including a newborn, must appear in person when the application is submitted.
No. Submit Form DS-11 in person at an authorized acceptance facility, passport agency, or passport center.
Both parents or guardians should attend. When one cannot appear, submit the required notarized consent or documents proving that the applying parent has sole authority.
The State Department allows an infant’s eyes to be not entirely open. The face must still be visible, unobstructed, properly lit, and shown against a plain white or off-white background.
No. Passports issued to children under 16 are valid for 5 years and cannot be renewed. Submit a new DS-11 application in person.
Appointment policies differ by facility. Some locations accept multiple children during one family appointment, while others require a separate appointment for each applicant. Confirm the policy before booking.
Last reviewed: July 2026
Our role: We explain the infant passport process, required documents, fees, and service options. The State Department decides whether the application meets the requirements and whether to issue the passport.
