How To Apply For A Newborn Passport
HOW TO APPLY FOR A NEWBORN PASSPORT
If you’re wondering how to apply for a newborn passport, I want to first wish you congratulations! You most likely just had a baby and if you’re anything like me, you’re looking forward to introducing your baby to the world. Becoming a parent has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life and truly life changing. Before B and I even became parents (or got pregnant), we knew we wanted our children to experience the world outside of their hometown as much as possible. It’s such a great gift to give your children — the gift of seeing the world — and not many get to do it.
Because we knew how important traveling was in our lives, we decided to get our baby a passport as soon as possible. Being a new parent is overwhelming enough so I hope this step-by-step guide will help you apply for a newborn passport with ease.
STEP 1: APPLY FOR BABY’S SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER
In the hospital, you will have the option to apply for your newborn’s social security number. The hospital will then send in your application and you’ll receive their SSN card in the mail. You will need to wait until you have received your newborn’s SSN before applying since it’s a field in the passport application. We received Meyer’s within 2 weeks of the time he was born but the SSN office says it could take up to 4 weeks to receive.
STEP 2: fill out the ds-11 application form
Once you’ve received your newborn’s social security number, you can then begin to fill out the passport application form. Note, this is a different form than the adult one. If you have a newborn or any child under 16 years of age, you will need to fill out this form. Aside from the SSN, you will need to fill out some information about both parents as well.
STEP3: provide evidence of u.s. citizenship
After you have filled out the application, there are a few things you’ll need to provide as evidence along with it including your newborn’s U.S. citizenship. Most people will use their newborn’s birth certificate as proof, but other forms of identification could include a current U.S. passport (if a child under 16 already has one) or a certificate of citizenship. If you’re using your newborn’s birth certificate, you will also have to wait for your State to process it from the hospital. In Iowa, they automatically mail you a copy. However, not every State will automatically mail a birth certificate. If you need an original copy of your newborn’s birth certificate, you can visit your State’s office or easily order an official one online at VitalChek.com.
Note, you will need to provide the original copy of their birth certificate (or other form of evidence) as well as a photo copy. The passport agency will keep the photo copy and mail back the original birth certificate along with their passport. Here are the requirements for the photo copy:
- Legible
- On white 8.5”x11” standard paper
- Black and white
- Single-sided
STEP 4: SHOW PARENTAL RELATIONSHIP
In order to apply for a newborn passport, the parents of the newborn must provide evidence of their parental relationship. Again, you can use the child’s birth certificate for this step which is what we did. Other forms of evidence in certain cases would be an adoption decree or or divorce decree.
STEP 5: PROVIDE PARENTAL IDENTIFICATION
Another step in the newborn passport application is providing both parents’ identification. We used our U.S. passports but you could also use your in-state drivers license. The passport agency also requires you to provide a photo copy of each ID.
Note, if you are using an out-of-state drivers license, you will need to provide an additional form of identification.
STEP 6: PROVIDE A PHOTO
One of the hardest (but cutest) parts of applying for a newborn passport is providing a photo with your application! It’s important to make sure you follow the photo requirements so that your application does not get rejected. We chose to take Meyer’s photo at home because we knew how hard and long it would take to get the photo just right. It took us multiple outtakes to get it. But, if you want someone else’s help, most local Walgreens offer passport photo services. Depending on where you apply in-person for your passport, the office may have a passport photography service available as well. You can see where we landed on our newborn’s passport photo here.
STEP 7: APPLY IN PERSON
After you have all your documents, photo copies, application filled out and your newborns photo (if you choose to do so in advance) in order then you’ll need to set up a time to apply in person. Unlike an adult passport, newborns need to apply for their passport in person along with both parents. Our local USPS was a passport acceptance facility so we headed there, but you can find your nearest location here. If both parents can’t be in attendance and only one can be there, the parent who cannot attend will need to fill out the Statement of Consent Form.
AFTER YOU’VE APPLIED FOR A NEWBORN PASSPORT
If you successfully completed the application and it was submitted at your appointment then you’re on your way to getting your newborn’s passport! The wait time as of right now to get a new passport varies anywhere from 10-13 weeks or 7-9 weeks if you choose to expedite it. After the application has been submitted, you can start tracking it here.
I hope this seven step guide has helped you prepare to apply for a newborn passport. I’m so excited to be jet setting soon with my little one as I’m sure you are with your own little one. And, you can look forward to all my newborn travel tips being shared soon. If you need some travel inspo before then, take a look at my travel guides. And, if you ever have questions or need travel advice, reach out on Instagram!
happy travels, liz stanford
Disclosure: Some of these links are affiliate links, which means when you purchase something using these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. However, I only link these companies because I have used them or truly recommend them based on their quality and the experience I had.
