Short answer: Yes. Every U.S. citizen, regardless of age — including infants and newborns — must have their own passport to travel internationally by air.
✈️ When is a Baby’s Passport Required?
- International air travel: A baby must have a passport.
- Traveling by land or sea to Canada or Mexico: Babies under 16 can often travel with just a birth certificate, but check with border authorities before your trip.
📝 How to Get a Passport for a Baby
Here’s what you’ll need:
1. Completed DS-11 Application Form
- Fill it out online or by hand, but do not sign it until instructed during the in-person appointment.
2. Proof of U.S. Citizenship
- Usually a certified birth certificate.
3. Parental Identification
- Both parents must show valid ID (like a driver’s license or passport).
4. Parental Consent
- Both parents must be present. If only one can attend, the other must provide a notarized consent form (DS-3053).
5. Passport Photo
- One recent photo of your baby, meeting all passport photo requirements. (Tip: Lay your baby on a white sheet or use a car seat covered with a white cloth.)
6. Application Fee
- For children under 16, the fee is $135 total ($100 application fee + $35 acceptance fee). Prices may vary depending on location and processing speed.
7. In-Person Application
- Must be submitted at a passport acceptance facility, like a post office, courthouse, or clerk’s office. Babies must be present at the appointment.