You and your family want to take a trip abroad to celebrate a vacation or holiday. You and your spouse already have passports. Those documents are valid and ready to go, but, what about your child? What are the requirements for an infant American passport?
As you probably already know, all international travelers must have a valid passport. This includes all nationalities and ages, including those of infant age, and there are no exclusions.
Perhaps the most important component of this is the photo. It needs to look good because it’s the only evidence used by immigration officers to check against the person in front of them. Certain regulations must be followed.
You will need a full color photo. It should a head shot, forward-facing and straight on. The measurements of the photo should be two by two inches. No shoulders ought to be showing and the background should be solid white. When applying, two photos must be presented. The photo will be valid for traveling abroad for five years and must be taken within inside a six month period from the date on which the photo was shot.
The rules are stringent and any deviation will see the passport application denied. Only the child’s head should be showing. No parents’ hands for support, no toy, no hat, not even the child’s own hands. The child’s attire should be normal, everyday clothing. No pacifier or sunglasses are allowed. The child has to be awake and alert, with eyes open and looking straight ahead. The child is not allowed to cry or smile.
Many people recommend getting the photos done professionally. There are fewer hassles this way. Many places where adults can have passport photos done do not do photos for infants or toddlers. It’s often easier to have these kinds of photos done in the quiet and comfort of one’s home or office. Regardless, the photo needs to adhere to guidelines set down for passport photos. The style and quality must be impeccable.
When an adult applies for a passport, certain steps are required and must be done in order. For anyone under age 16, there are actually more steps. The parents must submit evidence of the child’s U. S. Citizenship, usually a birth certificate. Next, the parents must submit evidence of their relationship to the infant applicant. This is usually no more than the child’s birth certificate with BOTH parents’ names. Make sure to pay all of the United States passport fees of course.
Next, the child’s parents both have to submit valid identification in accordance with the guidelines. This can be a simple case of showing a valid driver license. Each parent then has to present identification document photocopies for the application of each child. And, finally, the parents have to present parental consent, which is signing another form after all previous steps are done. If for some reason only one parent is present, the other parent has to also send in a statement of consent that’s notarized.
Although getting an infant new passport means more steps than getting an adult one, the process is not really difficult. All that is necessary is the correctly-done photo and submitting all required documentation. The United States passport fees must be paid, as well, obviously, and the parent’s must be present at the time of the child’s application.
