- my iParenting
- quick clicks
- home style today articles
- home style today q&a
- traveling today articles
- traveling today q&a
- community & groups
- research baby names
- prepare a birth plan
- content channels
- ip channel rss feeds
- read birth stories
- read parenting stories
- recommended books
- e-newsletters
- safety recalls
- ip diaries
- ip store
- mom of the month
- dad of the month
- editor's letter
- letters to the editor
From Our Sponsors
- e-newsletters
- Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters
- award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
Kids and Passports
Don't Leave Home Without Them
By Donna Smith
For many parents, exploring the world with their children is one of the greatest joys in life. But before a single diaper bag can be packed or discount online plane ticket purchased, every parent in America must deal with one important logistical detail: Kids can't travel to even the most pedestrian of the world's seven wonders without a valid U.S. passport. In fact, all American citizens, including newborn infants, who intend to travel outside the country are required by law to obtain passports in their own names.
"It takes the Passport Agency an average of five to six weeks to process an application, so it's a detail that parents shouldn't put off until the last minute," says David Boughman, a representative of the U.S. State Department.
Children who are 12 years old or younger do not need to appear in person to acquire a passport – their parent or legal guardian may apply for them – otherwise, first-time applicants over the age of 13 must present themselves in person, along with a legal guardian, at an approved passport facility with the following items:
- A completed passport application (form DSP-11 – available at any passport agency or acceptance facility)
- Proof of citizenship (e.g. a certified birth certificate issued by the city, county or state of birth or a Consular Report of Birth Abroad)
- A social security number (required by the IRS)
- Two passport photographs
- Applicable fees
Passport photographs must be two inches by two inches in size, identical and taken within the past 6 months. The passport agency requires that the face size be between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head, with a full frontal view and a plain white background. As simple as this sounds, it can be surprisingly difficult for parents of very young children to find the right place to get their photos taken.
Want to see more?
- Passport, Please: Everything You Need to Know About Passports
- Immunizing Children for International Travel: Exploring the World Safely with Your Children
- A Baby Abroad: International Travel with Infants
- Globe Trotting: Gaining a Deeper Sense of Family Through Travel
- Check out our Article Library.
- Talk about it!